Mandatory screening exam for Indian citizens who completed MBBS abroad and wish to practise medicine in India.
FMGE (Foreign Medical Graduate Examination) is a mandatory screening test conducted by the National Board of Examinations (NBE) for Indian citizens who completed their MBBS degree from a foreign medical college. Passing FMGE is a prerequisite for obtaining provisional or permanent registration with the Medical Council of India (now NMC) and practising medicine in India.
The exam tests knowledge across all 19 MBBS subjects at the level expected of a fresh MBBS graduate. Despite a 50% pass mark, the historical pass rate has been below 20-25%, making focused preparation essential. Candidates from countries like Russia, Ukraine, China, Philippines, and Bangladesh form the largest cohort of FMGE applicants.
Medicine & Allied (30%): General Medicine, Dermatology, Psychiatry, Paediatrics — highest combined weightage. Clinical scenarios and common presentations dominate.
Surgery & Allied (20%): General Surgery, Orthopaedics, ENT, Ophthalmology. Surgical anatomy and post-operative complications are frequently tested.
ObGyn (10%): Obstetric emergencies, contraception, and gynaecological oncology are high-yield areas.
Pre-Clinical & Para-Clinical (25%): Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pathology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Forensic Medicine. Pharmacology (especially essential medicines) is a common differentiator.
Community Medicine / PSM (15%): National Health Programmes, biostatistics, and epidemiology. Easy marks for well-prepared candidates.
MedNext delivers every topic across 15 study modes — notes, MCQs, flashcards, clinical cases, mnemonics, mind maps, viva practice, and more. Plus 105 clinical calculators, ECG atlas with 105 annotated strips, X-ray atlas, and a drug formulary with 1,853 monographs.
Explore all 15 Study Modes →FMGE June 2026: Expected in June 2026 — NBE typically announces dates 6-8 weeks before the exam. The format remains 300 MCQs (no negative marking) in 3.5 hours. Recent sessions have increased clinical scenario-based questions. Candidates from conflict-affected regions (Ukraine, Russia) continue to be a significant proportion of applicants, with NBE offering special sessions as needed.
The pass mark is 50% — that is, 150 out of 300 MCQs. There is no negative marking, so attempt all questions. The exam is conducted twice yearly in June and December.
The historical FMGE pass rate is 15-25%. Most candidates struggle because the level of clinical knowledge tested exceeds what is taught in many foreign MBBS curricula. Focused, systematic preparation aligned with the Indian MBBS syllabus is essential.
Medicine (including allied specialties) and Surgery carry the highest combined weightage (~50%). Pharmacology and PSM are strategic subjects — high yield for time invested. Pre-clinical subjects (Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry) are lower yield but cannot be ignored.
Under current NMC regulations, candidates have a limited number of attempts. It is advisable to check the latest NMC/NBE regulations before registering, as this has been subject to change.
Yes. MedNext covers all 19 MBBS subjects with clinician-written notes, MCQs, mnemonics, and clinical cases across 15 study modes. The drug formulary (1,853 drugs) and clinical calculators are particularly useful for FMGE pharmacology and clinical subjects.
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