PLAB for Indian Doctors — Complete 2026 Guide
The PLAB (Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board) exam is the primary pathway for Indian MBBS graduates to practise medicine in the United Kingdom. The UK NHS actively recruits International Medical Graduates, making PLAB one of the most accessible routes to international medical practice.
PLAB is a two-part examination conducted by the General Medical Council (GMC) of the United Kingdom to assess the clinical knowledge and skills of International Medical Graduates (IMGs) who wish to practise in the UK. The UK's National Health Service (NHS) depends significantly on IMGs — approximately 30–35% of NHS doctors are international graduates — making the UK one of the most IMG-friendly developed countries for medical practice.
PLAB 1 is a written examination (180 Single Best Answer questions over 3 hours) that can be taken at test centres worldwide, including in India. PLAB 2 is an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) with 18 stations, testing clinical skills, communication, and professionalism — this must be taken in the UK at a GMC-approved centre. After passing both parts, you can apply for full GMC registration and begin working as a doctor in the NHS.
The UK offers a structured career progression through the NHS training system. After GMC registration, doctors typically work as Foundation Year 2 (FY2) equivalent or as Clinical Fellows, then progress through specialty training (run-through or uncoupled programmes) to become consultants. The salary is competitive by global standards, and the work-life balance and training quality in the NHS are generally regarded as excellent compared to many other healthcare systems.
| PLAB 1 | 180 SBA questions, 3 hours, computer-based. Taken at Prometric centres in India (Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad). Tests clinical knowledge across all specialties at the FY2 level. Pass mark is set by the Angoff method; historically around 60-65%. |
| PLAB 2 | 18 OSCE stations (8 minutes each), taken in the UK (Manchester, London). Tests clinical skills, communication, history taking, examination, and professionalism. Must pass within 2 years of passing PLAB 1. |
| IELTS Requirement | Overall 7.0 with minimum 7.0 in each band (Academic IELTS). OET (Occupational English Test) with Grade B in each component is also accepted. |
| GMC Registration | After passing PLAB 1 and 2, and providing evidence of English proficiency and medical degree verification, you apply for full GMC registration. Registration fee: approximately 170 GBP. |
| Level | Annual Salary (GBP) | Approx INR Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| FY2 / Clinical Fellow | 32,000–40,000 | 33–42 lakh |
| CT/ST (Specialty Trainee) | 40,000–55,000 | 42–58 lakh |
| Specialty Doctor | 50,000–80,000 | 52–84 lakh |
| Consultant | 88,000–120,000+ | 92–1.25+ crore |
| Consultant (Private + NHS) | 120,000–200,000+ | 1.25–2+ crore |
Advantages
- More accessible than USMLE (shorter timeline, lower cost)
- NHS actively recruits IMGs
- Structured training and career progression
- Good work-life balance compared to India and USA
- Path to UK permanent residency (ILR after 5 years)
Disadvantages
- UK doctor compensation is lower than USA
- PLAB 2 requires travel to the UK
- NHS is under significant strain (workload, staffing)
- Specialty training competition has increased
- UK cost of living is high, especially in London