Every year, thousands of Indian students pursue MBBS degrees from international medical universities. Once they complete their degrees, they must obtain a license to practice in India. The Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) plays a crucial role in this process. Conducted by the National Board of Examinations (NBE), FMGE is mandatory for Indian citizens who earn their medical degrees from abroad and wish to practice medicine in India.
In this detailed guide, we will explore the entire FMGE and licensing process step-by-step for MBBS graduates from seven major countries: Russia, Nepal, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Bangladesh, and Armenia. We will also discuss eligibility, exam pattern, registration, documents required, and how each country prepares students for the FMGE exam.
FMGE stands for Foreign Medical Graduate Examination. It is a screening test conducted twice a year (June and December) by the National Board of Examinations (NBE) under the National Medical Commission (NMC) of India. This exam ensures that foreign medical graduates have the necessary knowledge and skills to practice in India.
The exam is mandatory for all Indian students who have completed their MBBS degrees from foreign countries except those from:
USA
UK
Australia
New Zealand
Canada
Conducting Body: National Board of Examinations (NBE)
Eligibility: Indian Citizen with a foreign MBBS degree from an NMC-approved university
Frequency: Twice a year (June and December)
Mode: Online (Computer-Based Test)
Duration: 5 hours (divided into 2 sessions of 2.5 hours)
Total Questions: 300 MCQs
Qualifying Marks: Minimum 150 out of 300
Negative Marking: No
Language: English
To appear for FMGE, candidates must:
Be an Indian citizen or OCI holder.
Possess a primary medical qualification from an NMC-approved foreign university.
Produce all original documents including the degree and internship certificate.
Have passed all semesters/years of the MBBS course.
Complete their internship from the foreign university/hospital (if part of curriculum).
Obtain eligibility certificate from NMC (if admission taken before 2019).
To apply for FMGE, students need to:
Visit the NBE website and register online.
Upload scanned documents such as:
Passport
MBBS Degree Certificate
Transcript
10th and 12th marksheets
Internship Certificate (if applicable)
Eligibility Certificate (if applicable)
Pay the application fee (approx. INR 7080 including GST).
Download the admit card.
The FMGE syllabus is based on the Indian MBBS curriculum and divided into Pre-clinical, Para-clinical, and Clinical subjects:
Pre-Clinical Subjects:
Anatomy
Physiology
Biochemistry
Para-Clinical Subjects:
Pathology
Microbiology
Pharmacology
Forensic Medicine
Clinical Subjects:
General Medicine
Pediatrics
General Surgery
Obstetrics and Gynecology
ENT
Ophthalmology
Psychiatry
Dermatology
Radiology
Orthopedics
Once a candidate passes the FMGE, the next steps are:
Apply for Provisional Registration with the State Medical Council.
Complete a 1-year Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) in an NMC-approved hospital in India.
Apply for Permanent Registration after completing the internship.
Start practicing legally in India as a licensed doctor.
Russian universities follow a 6-year MBBS program, including practical training.
Most universities provide clinical exposure from the 3rd year onwards.
The medium of instruction is English, but students also learn Russian for patient interaction.
Many universities now offer FMGE coaching during the final 2 years.
Russia has improved its syllabus alignment with the Indian MBBS curriculum in recent years.
The MBBS curriculum in Nepal is almost identical to India.
Medical colleges in Nepal are recognized by NMC.
No language barrier as English and Hindi are widely spoken.
High FMGE pass rate due to syllabus similarity.
Internship completed in Nepal is usually accepted by NMC if the college is recognized.
Georgia follows a 6-year MBBS program aligned with European standards.
English is the primary language of instruction.
Universities offer FMGE/NExT-focused preparation modules.
Students are encouraged to participate in clinical rotations from the 3rd year.
The syllabus is comprehensive and research-based.
MBBS in Kyrgyzstan is 5 to 6 years long.
Universities offer affordable FMGE coaching classes in the final years.
The language of instruction is English, but students must learn Kyrgyz/Russian for patient care.
The curriculum includes most FMGE-relevant subjects.
Indian students often form groups for self-preparation.
The MBBS program lasts for 5 or 6 years.
Several universities offer a separate FMGE training module in final year.
English-taught programs are designed for Indian students.
Some universities collaborate with Indian medical faculties for FMGE/NExT coaching.
The internship in Kazakhstan may or may not be valid in India; check NMC rules.
Bangladesh follows the exact Indian MBBS curriculum.
The internship is valid in India if completed at an NMC-approved college.
FMGE pass rate for Bangladesh graduates is one of the highest among foreign countries.
All teaching is done in English.
Indian students get the same clinical exposure as local students.
MBBS in Armenia is a 6-year program taught in English.
Universities have started offering NExT/FMGE preparation in later years.
The curriculum includes hospital-based learning and case-based teaching.
Internship done abroad may require re-completion in India.
Licensing pathway is similar to Russia and Georgia.
Many foreign universities understand the importance of FMGE for Indian students and offer dedicated coaching classes or assistance. Here’s how they support:
Separate FMGE coaching centers in university campuses.
Online access to Indian faculty lectures.
Special doubt-clearing sessions.
Study material aligned with Indian syllabus.
Mock tests and practice exams.
Guidance for registration and document preparation.
Indian embassies and student communities also help students stay updated about FMGE-related announcements.
The Government of India has planned to replace FMGE with the National Exit Test (NExT). NExT will be a common licensing exam for both Indian and foreign medical graduates. It will serve three purposes:
Final year MBBS exam.
Licensing exam to practice medicine in India.
PG medical entrance exam.
NExT is expected to be more clinical and practical-oriented than FMGE. Foreign universities are now updating their syllabus and training methods to prepare students for NExT.
Some Indian students may wish to practice outside India. Here's how licensing works:
USMLE (USA): Students planning to settle in the USA must take the United States Medical Licensing Examination.
PLAB (UK): For practicing in the UK, Indian graduates must qualify for the Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board test.
AMC (Australia): Australia requires the Australian Medical Council exam.
MCCQE (Canada): For Canada, the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination is mandatory.
EU Licensing: May vary depending on the country. Language proficiency is often required.
While FMGE is crucial for India, planning for these alternatives is possible with proper counseling.
Always choose NMC-approved universities only.
Complete internship as per NMC rules.
Keep all original documents and mark sheets safe.
Start FMGE preparation from 3rd or 4th year.
Attend university FMGE/NExT classes regularly.
After FMGE, apply for provisional registration immediately.