FMGE / NEXT Exam 2026 — What Every Foreign Medical Graduate Must Know

What is the FMGE and Who Must Clear It?

The Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) is a licensing examination conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) under the National Medical Commission (NMC). Any Indian citizen who completes an MBBS degree from a foreign medical institution recognised by the NMC must clear the FMGE before they can practice medicine in India.

The FMGE is held twice a year — in June and December. It is a single-paper, 300-question MCQ examination covering all subjects of the MBBS curriculum.

FMGE → NExT: The Transition You Must Prepare For

The NMC has announced that FMGE will be replaced by the National Exit Test (NExT) for foreign medical graduates from 2027. NExT will be a two-part examination:

• NExT Step 1: Theory examination (similar to current FMGE format, but potentially harder)
• NExT Step 2: Clinical skills and practical assessment

Students graduating in 2026 or appearing for FMGE in June/December 2026 will still take FMGE under the existing system. However, those graduating from 2027 onwards should prepare for NExT Step 1 and Step 2 format.

FMGE 2026 Exam Pattern

• Total questions: 300 MCQs in 2 papers (150 + 150)
• Duration: 3.5 hours per paper
• Passing marks: 150/300 (50%)
• Negative marking: None
• Mode: Computer-based test (CBT)

Subject-Wise Weightage (Based on 2023–2025 Papers)

The FMGE covers 19 subjects. High-weightage subjects are:

• Medicine and allied subjects: 56 questions (~18.7%)
• Surgery and allied subjects: 43 questions (~14.3%)
• Obstetrics & Gynaecology: 27 questions (~9%)
• Pathology: 18 questions (~6%)
• Pharmacology: 16 questions (~5.3%)
• Anatomy: 14 questions (~4.7%)
• Physiology: 14 questions (~4.7%)

Pass Rates by Country (2024–2025)

The national average FMGE pass rate has remained between 40–50% over the last five years. Country-specific data shows:

• Russia: 42–55% (depends heavily on university)
• Georgia: 50–62%
• Bangladesh: 55–68%
• Kazakhstan: 38–50%
• Kyrgyzstan: 30–45%

Preparation Strategy — Start in Year 3

The students who clear FMGE in their first attempt share one common characteristic: they started systematic preparation in Year 3 of their MBBS programme, not after returning to India.

Recommended preparation approach:

• Years 1–2: Build strong conceptual foundations in Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry
• Year 3: Begin subject-wise revision using standard FMGE prep books (Across, DNB, etc.)
• Years 4–5: Clinical subjects — Medicine, Surgery, OBG. Take at least 2 full mock tests per month
• After graduation: Intensive 3–4 month coaching at an FMGE coaching centre in India

NMC Approved University List — Check Before Enrolling

FMGE eligibility requires that your university appears on the NMC's approved list at the time of enrollment AND at the time of your examination. Always verify the NMC approved university list before enrolling at any foreign medical university. The list is updated annually.