Every year, tens of thousands of Indian students travel abroad to pursue MBBS degrees because of the limited number of government medical seats in India and the high fees of private colleges. Among the many destinations, Russia and Bangladesh stand out as two of the most sought-after choices.
However, the ultimate success of studying MBBS abroad depends on how well students can clear the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE), now being replaced by the National Exit Test (NExT) in India. FMGE acts as the bridge for foreign medical graduates to obtain a license to practice medicine in India.
This article focuses on a comparative analysis of FMGE passing rates between Russia and Bangladesh MBBS graduates, examining historical data, contributing factors, and overall implications for Indian students in 2025.
FMGE (Foreign Medical Graduate Examination) is conducted by the National Board of Examinations (NBE).
It is mandatory for all Indian students who complete their MBBS abroad and wish to practice in India (except graduates from the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand).
Pass Requirement: 50% (150 out of 300 marks).
The FMGE passing percentage directly reflects the quality of medical education abroad and the preparedness of students.
Russia is one of the oldest and most popular MBBS destinations for Indian students, with more than 25,000 Indians enrolled in 2025.
Range: 12–16%
Trend: Moderately consistent, but lower than Bangladesh.
Language Barrier – Clinical training often happens in Russian, while Indian students learn medicine in English, leading to practical challenges.
Different Curriculum – Russian medical curriculum follows European models, which sometimes don’t align fully with the Indian MBBS curriculum.
Exam-Oriented Training – Less focus on FMGE/NExT pattern during MBBS studies in Russia.
Cultural Adjustment – Many students struggle with adapting to a new education system, impacting overall focus on FMGE.
Despite these issues, Russian universities are globally recognized, offering high-quality infrastructure, but FMGE success depends on students’ self-study and coaching efforts.
Bangladesh has rapidly gained popularity as a top choice for MBBS abroad, especially among Indian students. With similarities in culture, food, language, and curriculum, it offers a familiar environment.
Range: 25–30%
Trend: Consistently among the highest FMGE pass rates compared to other foreign countries.
NMC-Aligned Curriculum – The MBBS syllabus in Bangladesh closely follows India’s MBBS curriculum, making FMGE preparation smoother.
English-Medium Education – Entire course is in English, reducing barriers during clinical practice.
Clinical Exposure – Training with real patients in hospitals is emphasized from early years, similar to Indian medical colleges.
Cultural Similarity – Lifestyle, food habits, and climate are close to India, minimizing distractions.
Indian Faculty Presence – Some colleges employ Indian teachers, which helps students understand subjects in line with FMGE requirements.
As a result, Bangladesh is considered one of the best-performing countries in FMGE results for Indian students.
| Country | Average FMGE Passing Rate | Key Strength | Main Challenge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Russia | 12–16% | Advanced infrastructure, global recognition | Language barrier, curriculum mismatch |
| Bangladesh | 25–30% | India-like curriculum, higher FMGE success | Limited global recognition compared to Russia |
On average, Bangladesh graduates perform nearly 2x better than Russian graduates in FMGE.
Russia: European syllabus → requires adaptation for FMGE.
Bangladesh: Indian-style syllabus → direct alignment.
Russia: English taught, but Russian required in hospitals.
Bangladesh: Fully English-medium, no language gap.
Russia: Delayed patient interaction, more theory-focused.
Bangladesh: Hands-on patient exposure from early years.
Russia: Major cultural differences, difficult adaptation.
Bangladesh: Similar food, festivals, lifestyle.
Russia: Students rely more on private FMGE/NExT coaching after returning to India.
Bangladesh: Many colleges prepare students for FMGE within curriculum.
From 2024 onwards, FMGE will be replaced by NExT (National Exit Test), which has two parts:
NExT-1 – Knowledge-based MCQs.
NExT-2 – Practical and clinical examination.
Students may still struggle with practical exams due to language barriers.
Strong infrastructure can help with theory preparation.
Advantageous due to Indian-style clinical training.
Higher chances of success in both theory and practical exams.
Russia: 6 years (including internship).
Bangladesh: 5 years + 1-year internship.
Bangladesh saves time, bringing students back to India earlier.
Russia: ₹18–30 lakhs (entire course).
Bangladesh: ₹25–35 lakhs (entire course).
Russia is slightly more affordable in tuition, but FMGE performance tilts balance toward Bangladesh.
Russia: Stronger global recognition (Europe, Middle East).
Bangladesh: Recognition mostly in South Asia, not as strong internationally.
If your goal is to practice medicine in India, Bangladesh is clearly the better option because of its higher FMGE pass rate and curriculum similarity.
If you want global exposure, advanced infrastructure, and lower fees, Russia may suit you better—but you’ll need dedicated FMGE coaching.
A student who studied in Russia shared:
“The education quality was great, but FMGE felt like an entirely different exam. I had to spend one full year in India preparing with coaching.”
A Bangladesh-returned graduate said:
“FMGE was easier to clear because our syllabus was almost the same as Indian MBBS. Our clinical exposure gave me confidence for patient-based questions.”
Russia: Likely to maintain popularity because of affordability and infrastructure, but FMGE/NExT success rates will continue to depend on individual preparation.
Bangladesh: Expected to remain a high-performing country for FMGE/NExT due to strong alignment with Indian medical standards.
When comparing Russia vs Bangladesh MBBS FMGE passing rates, Bangladesh consistently outperforms Russia.
Russia: FMGE pass rate 12–16%. Affordable, globally recognized, but language barriers and curriculum mismatch reduce success rates.
Bangladesh: FMGE pass rate 25–30%. Higher alignment with Indian curriculum, strong clinical exposure, and familiar environment lead to better outcomes for Indian students.
Final Verdict:
If your ultimate goal is returning to India and clearing FMGE/NExT, Bangladesh is the better choice.
If you’re looking for global recognition and affordability, Russia remains a viable option—but additional FMGE preparation in India will be essential.