The Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) is a screening examination for eligible Indian citizens and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) who have obtained their primary medical qualification from a medical institution outside India and seek registration to practise medicine in India.

The examination is conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) under the regulatory framework of the National Medical Commission (NMC).

FMGE is commonly referred to as the Foreign Medical Graduates Screening Test. It was originally introduced under the Medical Council of India (MCI) framework. The regulatory authority is now the National Medical Commission (NMC)

Eligible foreign medical graduates are required to qualify the applicable screening/licensure requirements before obtaining registration to practise medicine in India. The eligibility and licensing requirements depend on the date of admission and the applicable NMC regulations.

Students planning to study medicine abroad should therefore verify the latest NMC requirements before taking admission, rather than relying only on whether a university is listed in an international medical-school directory.

The NMC specifically advises students to exercise due diligence regarding the foreign medical institution, course duration, curriculum, medium of instruction, clinical training and internship requirements.

The National Medical Commission (Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate) Regulations, 2021 establish important requirements for foreign medical graduates seeking a licence to practise medicine in India.

For students governed by the FMGL Regulations, the foreign medical education must satisfy prescribed requirements relating to:

• Duration of medical education
• Medium of instruction
• Curriculum and syllabus
• Clinical training
• Internship
• Recognition of the medical qualification in the country where it is awarded
• Eligibility for registration/licensure in the country of qualification

NMC's current guidance specifies, among other requirements, a minimum 54 months of education in the same foreign institution and 12 months of internship in the same foreign university/institution, subject to the applicable regulatory provisions. Clinical training should also comply with the prescribed requirements and should not be fragmented across countries in a manner inconsistent with the regulations.

FMGE is conducted by NBEMS.

Under the Screening Test Regulations, the examination is conducted as a computer-based test and consists of three papers covering:

1. Pre-Clinical subjects
2. Para-Clinical subjects
3. Clinical subjects and allied disciplines, including Obstetrics & Gynaecology

The examination is conducted in English.

A candidate is required to obtain a minimum of 50% marks in each paper separately to qualify.

There is no restriction on the number of attempts to appear for the FMGE under the current Screening Test provisions.

Candidates must satisfy the eligibility requirements applicable to their case before appearing for the examination.

Foreign medical education can provide an opportunity for Indian students to obtain a medical qualification abroad, but admission to a foreign medical college does not by itself guarantee eligibility for medical registration in India. Students should verify the complete regulatory requirements before admission.

Particular attention should be given to:

1. Institution

Verify that the foreign medical institution and qualification satisfy the applicable NMC requirements.

2. Course Duration

Ensure that the programme complies with the prescribed duration requirements applicable to the student.

3. Medium of Instruction

The medical education should comply with the prescribed medium-of-instruction requirements.

4. Clinical Training

Clinical training must satisfy the applicable NMC requirements and should be completed in accordance with the prescribed regulatory framework.

5. Internship<

Students should carefully verify the applicable foreign internship and Indian internship requirements before joining a medical programme abroad.

6. Registration in India

After satisfying the applicable examination, internship and other regulatory requirements, the candidate may proceed with the registration process through the competent medical regulatory authority.