FMGE – Foreign Medical Graduate ExaminationFMGE is a mandatory licensing exam for Indian citizens with a foreign MBBS degree who wish to practice medicine in India.
FMGE is conducted twice a year:
June Session
December Session
You can apply once you’ve:
Completed your MBBS degree
Received your provisional degree/MBBS final diploma
Got eligibility from NMC
Yes, if you want to work in India.
Once you pass FMGE, you can:
Do 1 year of internship in India (NMC-approved hospital)
Apply for State Medical Council Registration
Get your permanent license
After FMGE + Internship = Fully Licensed Doctor in India
FMGE is considered tough because:
No fixed syllabus
Clinical subjects focused
MCQ-based, high negative marking
Passing Marks: 150 out of 300
Average Pass Rate:
📊 Only 10–25% of students pass in one attempt.
| Year | Pass Rate |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 21% |
| 2021 | 23% |
| 2022 | 25% |
| 2023 | 17% |
| 2024 | 26% ✅ (highest in recent years) |
Join FMGE coaching (online or offline) during final MBBS year abroad.
Best coaching providers: Marrow, DBMCI, DAMS, Prepladder
Focus on clinical subjects (Medicine, Surgery, OBG, Pharma, PSM, etc.)
Solve past papers and attend live Q&A
NEET qualification before joining MBBS abroad is mandatory to be eligible.
You can’t skip FMGE even if you passed abroad with distinction.
FMGE may be replaced by NExT in the future.
For students wanting to practice in the UK
PLAB 1 & PLAB 2 after MBBS
IELTS/OET mandatory (IELTS score: 7.5 overall, no section <7)
No need for FMGE if settling in the UK
GMC (General Medical Council) grants UK license
3-step exam: USMLE Step 1, Step 2 CK, Step 3
After MBBS, students can apply for US residency
Very competitive but offers high income and permanent settlement
No FMGE required if settling in the US
“FMGE is the key to becoming a licensed doctor in India. With the right preparation and NEET qualification, you’re never alone. We help you every step – from MBBS admission to licensing guidance.”
If you’re planning to study MBBS abroad or in India, understanding NEET is crucial. Here’s everything Indian students need to know:
Is NEET Mandatory to Study MBBS Abroad?
Yes. As per the Medical Council of India (now NMC), NEET is mandatory for Indian students who want to study MBBS abroad and later practice in India.
👉 Even if you are not aiming to study in India, you must still qualify NEET to get eligibility for abroad MBBS.
Why NEET is Mandatory
Ensures a minimum standard of knowledge among students going abroad.
Allows you to appear for the FMGE (Foreign Medical Graduate Exam) after returning.
Aims to protect students from enrolling in poor-quality foreign universities.
Who Conducts NEET?
NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) once every year.
NEET Cutoff for MBBS in India
For general category: 50th percentile
For SC/ST/OBC: 40th percentile
Note: Cut-off score varies every year based on exam difficulty and number of students.
Is Just Qualifying NEET Enough for MBBS Abroad?
Yes! You just need to qualify, no matter how low the score is. Even a NEET score of 137 or 138 (if it’s the qualifying mark) is accepted for MBBS abroad in most countries.
NEET Score-Based Scholarships Abroad
Some universities offer merit-based scholarships if your NEET score is high. This applies especially in:
Hungary
Uk
Russia
Egypt
USA
Ask your counselor for the latest scholarship list based on your NEET performance.
Don’t stress over AIR (All India Rank). For MBBS abroad, NEET qualification is the only requirement, not a high score. Once you qualify, your dream of becoming a doctor abroad is open — without the fierce Indian competition
After completing your MBBS abroad, passing licensing exams is essential to practice as a doctor in India or other countries. Here’s a quick overview:
Post-MBBS Licensing Exams in Different Countries: Foreign Medical Conversion & Test Requirements (Country-wise)
Russia – KROK Exam / Local Licensing + FMGE/NEXT (for India)
Poland – LEK (Medical Final Exam) / Nostrification
Sweden – Swedish Medical Licensing Exam + Language Test
Georgia – No conversion locally / FMGE/NEXT (for India)
India – NEXT / FMGE (after MBBS abroad)
China – Chinese Medical Licensing Examination + FMGE/NEXT (for India)
Kyrgyzstan – State Certification Exam / FMGE/NEXT (for India)
Uzbekistan – State Certification Exam / FMGE/NEXT (for India)
Kazakhstan – KROK-type Exams + FMGE/NEXT (for India)
Philippines – Physician Licensure Examination + FMGE/NEXT (for India)
Germany – Approbation Exam + Language Test
France – PACES Entrance Exam + French Language Requirement
Australia – AMC Exam (Australian Medical Council Exam)
UK – PLAB Exam (Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board)
USA – USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination)
Moldova – No local conversion / FMGE/NEXT (for India)
Malta – European Licensing Standards + Local Registration
Egypt – Egyptian Medical Syndicate Exam / FMGE/NEXT (for India)
Tajikistan – State Certification Exam / FMGE/NEXT (for India)
Bulgaria – European Licensing Exam / Nostrification if needed
Timor Leste – Local State Certification / FMGE/NEXT (for India)
Bosnia – Medical Licensing Exam + Nostrification (if needed)
Armenia – State Certification Exam / FMGE/NEXT (for India)
Serbia – Local Medical Licensing Exam / European Standards
Czech Republic – Nostrification Exam + Medical Licensing Exam
Turkey – STS Exam (Seviye Tespit Sınavı – Turkish Equivalency Exam)
Vietnam – Local Medical Licensing Test
Latvia – European Licensing + Nostrification if needed
Implementation:
NEXT is expected to be fully operational from 2025 onward.
Important:
Once NEXT is fully implemented, FMGE will be phased out.
Benefit:
Opens pathways for an international medical career (USA and other countries).