FMGE Exam 2024 (December Session): Final Edit Window (Started), Exam Date (Jan 12), Pattern, Syllabus

Foreign Medical Graduate Examination or FMGE is a licensing examination conducted by the National Board of Examinations (NBE). An Indian citizen or OCI who has completed their primary medical qualification from an institution outside India, but wishes to practice in India needs to clear this examination to register with the National Medical Commission (NMC)/State Medical Council (SMC). However, as FMGE was introduced in the year 2002, candidates who had completed their primary degree course on or before March 15, 2002, are not required to appear for this examination. One must also note that FMGE is not an entrance test and cannot be used to seek admission to any institute. It is a licensing examination for foreign medical graduates. The exam is held twice a year, in December and June. If someone is not able to clear the FMGE exam in June, he/she can attempt it in the December session. 

Last year in 2023, out of the total 38,355 candidates who appeared for the exam, 30,046 failed and only 8309 could pass this exam. The passing percentage was around 23%.

The table given below contains highlights of the FMGE 2024 June session:

FMGE 2024 registration is the first step for admission. Eligible candidates who want to appear for the FMGE 2024 December session had to get themselves enrolled on the official website of NBE from October 28, 2024. After completion of this process, candidates are allowed to fill FMGE 2024 application form.

The last date to register for FMGE 2024 was November 18, 2024. After filling in all the details, candidates had to pay the application fee. For the FMGE 2024 exam, candidates were required to pay INR 6,195 as an application fee. NBE also opened multiple correction windows to modify details in the application form.

FMGE 2024 Eligibility Criteria

Candidates interested in applying for the FMGE 2024 December session are advised to check the below eligibility criteria before registering for the exam: 

Nationality: The candidate must be an Indian national or an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI)

Qualification: The candidate should possess a primary medical qualification, which is confirmed by the Indian Embassy concerned

Documents: Candidates have to submit proof of primary medical qualification. If someone fails to submit the required documents within the stipulated time, he will not be considered eligible for the FMGE exam.

Result of the final exam: The result of the final examination for primary medical qualification will be declared on February 12, 2025.

Exemptions: Candidates who have completed their undergraduate medical qualification from the below-mentioned countries do not have to appear for FMGE for registration with MCI, provided they are eligible to enroll as medical practitioners in the respective country.

• New Zealand
• Australia
• Canada
• United States of America
• United Kingdom

NBE will release the list of exam centres for the FMGE 2024 December session along with the information brochure. Till the time December session notification is released, students can check the list of FMGE 2024 centres for the December session given in the table below:

FMGE 2024 December session will be conducted online at designated centres decided by NBE. According to the FMGE 2024 exam pattern, the examination will have two papers, in which 150-150 multiple-choice questions will be asked in the exam. The question paper will be in English language only. Students will be given 150 minutes to ask 150 questions. 

There will be a scheduled break between the two parts. Each question shall have 4 response options. Candidates will have to choose the most appropriate response out of the 4 options provided in each question.

Also Read: FMGE 2024 Pattern in Detail

Candidates who completed the FMGE application process in the given time frame, with complete documentation, were issued the FMGE 2024 admit card. This document was of vital importance as candidates were not allowed to take the test at the centre without the admit card. The admit card of FMGE 2024 contains important details of candidates like name, date of birth, date of the exam, timing, address of the centre etc. The admit card could be downloaded by logging into the account. After downloading the admit card, candidates must cross-check it to ensure all details are correct. 

FMGE 2024: Exam Day Guidelines

Candidates have to carry the following on the day of the examination:

• FMGE 2024 admit card
• Valid, original and non-expired photo ID proof (PAN card/ Driving Licence/ Voter ID/ Passport/ Aadhaar Card)
• Candidates have to reach the examination centre on or before the reporting time mentioned on the admit card

Schedule for FMGE 2024 Exam Day 

Here is the schedule for the FMGE exam day as per the time slots allotted by the exam conducting body. Candidates are advised to adhere to the time mentioned below for both the slots of the exam: 

• Candidates had to undergo the security procedures at the exam centre which include frisking (using metal detectors) and biometric verification
• Candidates who were not issued the admit card of FMGE 2024 were not allowed to appear for the examination
• Finger biometrics were not captured this year - instead Face ID verification was carried out
• Candidates were allowed to carry the following items to the exam centre:
  
  • Personal transparent water bottle (water dispenser will not be available, candidates will be provided bottled water)
  • Exam-related documents (Admit card, ID Card, etc.)
• Friends/ relatives accompanying the candidate were not allowed into the examination hall
• Things that were banned inside the examination hall:
  • Stationery items: books, notes, plastic pouches, geometry boxes, writing pads, erasers, pens, pencils, etc.
  • Electronic devices: mobile phones, calculators, Bluetooth devices, earphones, microphones, smartwatches, etc.
  • Eatables, beverages, water bottles, etc.
  • Personal items: wallet, goggles, handbags, cap, belt, etc.

FMGE Exam Day Instructions

Possession/ Use of mobile phones/Electronic devices is strictly prohibited on the premises of NBEMS Test Centres. If found with the Possession/ Use of Mobile phones/ Electronic devices, the candidate was liable for penal action. Please go through the guidelines detailed in the Chapter on the use of unfair means in the examination.

Candidates were advised to follow the given below schedule on the exam day: 

The FMGE 2024 result will be published online at the official admission portal on August 6, 2024. NBE will not send the result to any candidate at their postal address or email ID. The FMGE scorecards will also be provided to the candidates at a later date.

The FMGE result comprises candidates' roll number, marks obtained (out of 300) by them, and their qualifying status. Those who secure 50 percent out of the total marks of 300 are considered qualified for the exam and become eligible to get the provisional registration certificate from the National Medical Commission (NMC) or State Medical Council (SMC). A candidate shall be declared as having passed only if the student obtains a minimum of 150 marks out of 300 in the examination. Results (Pass/Fail) for eligible candidates will be displayed on the NBEMS website. There is no provision for re-totaling/re-evaluation/ award of grace marks in FMGE. Only the qualified candidates will be able to download the scorecard through the user ID and password. 

FMGE Pass Certificates 

Candidates who qualify for the examination will be issued the Pass Certificates for FMGE 2024. These certificates have to be collected in person from the office of NBE. Upon presentation of this certificate at the MCI, they will be issued the registration certificates and will be eligible to practice in India. Candidates have to carry the original documents and visit personally to collect the certificate.

The FMGE cutoff is also referred to as FMGE qualifying marks to get a certificate. The FMGE cutoff marks are the minimum marks that applicants need to secure to pass the exam. Since the FMGE exam is conducted for a total of 300 marks hence the qualifying cutoff marks for FMGE is 150 marks. 

Applicants who secure these marks will be entitled to get a certificate of qualifying the exam. 

Read the important Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) pertaining to the FMGE 2024 exam: