FMGE 2026 — Complete Guide for Foreign MBBS Graduates
FMGE (Foreign Medical Graduate Examination) is the mandatory gateway for Indian students who completed MBBS abroad to practice medicine in India. Conducted by NBEMS twice yearly — June and December. You need 150 out of 300 marks to pass. No negative marking.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Conducted by | NBEMS — National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences |
| Official website | natboard.edu.in |
| Frequency | Twice yearly — June and December sessions |
| June 2026 exam | June 28, 2026 (completed) |
| December 2026 exam | ~December 2026 (dates to be announced) |
| Total questions | 300 MCQs (150 Part A + 150 Part B) |
| Total marks | 300 marks |
| Duration | 5 hours (2.5 hours per part) |
| Marking scheme | +1 correct · 0 unattempted · No negative marking |
| Passing marks | 150 out of 300 (50%) — same for all categories |
| Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Exam cities | 75+ cities across India |
| Application fee | ~₹7,080 (non-refundable) |
| Who must appear | Indian / OCI citizens with MBBS from foreign universities |
| Exempted countries | USA, UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand |
| National pass rate | 40–50% (varies by country of graduation) |
| Event | Expected Date |
|---|---|
| Application opens | October 2026 |
| Last date to apply | November 2026 |
| City intimation slip | ~2 weeks before exam |
| Admit card release | ~4 days before exam |
| FMGE December 2026 exam | December 2026 |
| Result | ~4–6 weeks after exam |
Any Indian citizen or Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) who has completed an MBBS (or equivalent) degree from a university outside India must pass FMGE before they can legally practice medicine in India. This includes graduates from Russia, Ukraine, China, Kazakhstan, Philippines, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and all other countries except USA, UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand (whose graduates are automatically exempted).
Without a valid FMGE pass certificate, you cannot register with NMC, examine patients, issue prescriptions, perform procedures, or apply for PG medical education in India. FMGE certification is the non-negotiable legal prerequisite.
The examination is also a prerequisite before appearing for NEET PG or INICET — meaning foreign medical graduates must clear FMGE first, then appear for PG entrance exams if they wish to specialise.
FMGE is a licensing exam — pass or fail. No ranking. No admission. Just a pass certificate that lets you practice and register.
NEET PG is an entrance exam — competitive, ranked, used for MD/MS/PG Diploma admission across 52,000 seats.
INICET is an entrance exam — highly competitive, for 815 seats across AIIMS and INIs.
If you are a foreign medical graduate: clear FMGE first → get NMC registration → then appear for NEET PG / INICET for specialisation.