India Licensing Test for MBBS Graduates from Abroad
Foreign Medical Graduate Examination
FMGE Exam
Conducted by the National Board of Examinations (NBEMS), FMGE is the mandatory screening test that Indian citizens holding an MBBS/MD from a foreign university must clear before they can register with the State/National Medical Council and practise medicine in India.
At a Glance
Quick Facts
Frequency
Twice a year
Months
June & December
Total MCQs
300
Duration
5 hours (2 parts)
Passing Score
150 / 300 (50%)
Conducted By
NBEMS, India
Eligibility
Who can appear
- Indian citizen / OCI holder
- Primary medical qualification (MBBS/MD Physician) from a foreign medical institution
- Institution must be listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS)
- For post-2019 admissions — NEET UG qualification is mandatory
- Applicable to graduates before the NExT rollout (batches admitted up to Nov 2023)
Exam Pattern
Structure & format
| Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Sections | 2 papers of 150 MCQs each |
| Duration per paper | 2.5 hours |
| Marking | +1 for correct · 0 for wrong (No negative marking) |
| Medium | English |
| Attempts | Unlimited |
Syllabus
Subjects & topics covered
01
Pre-Clinical
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Biochemistry
02
Para-Clinical
- Pathology
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
- Forensic Medicine
03
Clinical
- General Medicine
- General Surgery
- Paediatrics
- Obstetrics & Gynaecology
- Community Medicine (PSM)
- Ophthalmology
- Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)
- Psychiatry
- Dermatology & Venereology
- Anaesthesiology
- Radiology
Exam Fee
INR 7,080 (incl. 18% GST) — payable online via NBEMS portal
Certificate Validity
Once qualified, the FMGE certificate is permanent — no re-attempt required
After you qualify
On clearing FMGE, complete a 12-month supervised Compulsory Rotatory Medical Internship (CRMI) at an NMC-approved Indian hospital, then apply for permanent registration with your State/National Medical Council.
Preparation Tips
How to prepare effectively
01
Start FMGE preparation from Year 4 of your MBBS in Russia
02
Focus on high-yield NBEMS subjects: Medicine, PSM, Pharmacology, Anatomy
03
Practice with previous 10 years of FMGE question papers
04
Take at least 15 full-length mock tests before the final exam
05
Join a structured FMGE coaching (offline or online) 4–6 months before
FMGE FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions Indian students ask about FMGE Exam.
01How many attempts are allowed?
01
How many attempts are allowed?
Unlimited — you can appear as many times as needed until you clear.
02Is negative marking involved?
02
Is negative marking involved?
No. FMGE has no negative marking, so attempting every question is recommended.
03When will FMGE be discontinued?
03
When will FMGE be discontinued?
FMGE is being phased out for batches admitted from November 2023 onwards — those students will appear for NExT instead. Pre-2024 batches will continue with FMGE for the foreseeable future.
04Can I appear for FMGE while still in the 6th year?
04
Can I appear for FMGE while still in the 6th year?
No. You must first complete the 6-year MBBS programme (including the 1-year rotational internship at the foreign university) and have your final degree in hand.
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