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Over the past few years, the number of Indian doctors graduating from foreign countries has been on the rise, and consequently, FMGE has become a frequently heard term in the realm of medical practice in India. Let us learn more about the exam and why does it matter so much!

What is FMGE?

The FMGE or the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination is an evaluation for foreign-educated Indian medical graduates, conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS). It is a mandatory examination for Indian citizens or Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) who have acquired their primary medical degree from medical universities outside the country, in order to get licensure for practicing medicine within India.

Who Should Take the Exam?

Foreign-graduated Indian doctors (Indian citizens or Overseas Citizens of India) who wish to practise in India are mandatorily required to clear the FMGE examination and complete the necessary training thereafter in order to be eligible to work as a doctor in India. However, if Indian national doctors are looking to establish a medical career outside India, it is just an optional examination for a future comeback. It is also noteworthy that FMGE is not a licensing examination for doctors who are citizens of other countries but wish to begin their practice in India.

Eligibility Criteria

Here are the basic checkboxes for those who are planning to write the FMGE 2025 exam.

• The applicants must be either Indian citizens or Overseas Citizens of India.
• They must possess a primary medical degree from a recognised institution of a foreign country and should also be verified by the Indian Embassy of the respective country.
• The candidates must have completed their medical graduation before they apply for FMGE 2025.

  However doctors who have completed their medical graduation from certain countries need not appear for this exam to be eligible to practice in India. Before you apply, make sure you cross the eligibility requirement.

Structure and Pattern

The FMGE exam is a computer-based examination. It consists of two papers of 150 MCQs each. The total duration of the examination is 5 hours, with 2.5 hours allotted for each paper. The exam is conducted in English, and there is no negative marking.

Exam Syllabus

The syllabus is closely aligned with the MBBS curriculum followed in Indian medical colleges, covering a comprehensive range of subjects across pre-clinical, para-clinical, and clinical disciplines. While all areas are important, clinical subjects such as Medicine, Surgery, and Obstetrics & Gynaecology carry greater weight in the exam and require focused preparation.

Importance of FMGE

For doctors who wish to practice in India after their foreign medical graduation, this exam could seem to be a hurdle, but it is necessary for them to jump over it. It ensures that the foreign-educated doctors possess the competence and adaptability to work within the Indian medical setting.

However, the pass percentage for the exam is relatively low, often under 25%, making it essential for candidates to undergo focused preparation. With our structured FMGE courses, we help you learn everything the exam demands and conquer the challenge.

Join us and make sure you don’t fall behind in your FMGE examination.

Authored By: Pooja Premraj