FMGE 2026 Passing Marks 150 of 300 Pass Rate

At a glance

• FMGE passing marks are 150 of 300, or 50 percent of the total score, unchanged since NBEMS took over the exam in 2019.
• June 2025 pass rate was 28 percent (about 6,100 of 22,000); December 2024 was 21 percent (about 6,700 of 32,000) per the NBEMS result publications.
• Application fee is INR 6,000 for general and OBC, INR 3,000 for SC, ST, and PwD; non-refundable per the NBEMS fee schedule.
• Exam is twice a year in June and December, computer-based, 2 papers of 100 MCQs each, no negative marking.
• Eligibility requires the foreign institution to be listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS); no upper age limit, no attempt cap.
• After passing, candidates register with NMC or a State Medical Council, complete a one-year internship, and become eligible for NEET PG.

The Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) is the screening test that every Indian citizen or overseas citizen of India with a primary medical qualification from a foreign institution must clear before practicing medicine in India or sitting for the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test - Post Graduate (NEET PG). The passing mark is 150 of 300, 50 percent of the total, and that threshold has not changed since the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) took over the exam in 2019. What has changed is the pass rate: roughly 28 percent in the June 2025 session and 21 percent in the December 2024 session, against a candidate pool of 22,000 to 32,000 per session. The math behind those pass rates, the eligibility rules, the exam structure, and the scorecard timing are what this walkthrough reads top-down.

The passing mark, exactly

FMGE is 300 marks total, split into two papers of 150 marks each. The passing mark is 150 of 300, or 50 percent of the total score. There is no negative marking. The threshold is the same for every category, every nationality, and every foreign institution listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS) per the NBEMS information bulletin.

The qualifying status is pass or fail. The scorecard shows the candidate's aggregate score of 300. NBEMS does not release a merit list or rank; FMGE is a screening test, not a competitive ranking. Candidates who score 149 or below fail; the scorecard reflects the failing status and the score.

There is no grace mark, no negative-marking compensation, and no re-evaluation. The score is final once the scorecard is released. A candidate who fails can sit the next session; the FMGE attempt limit is not capped, but each attempt requires a new application and fee per the NBEMS information bulletin.

Pass rates by session

The 2024-2025 sessions show the pass-rate pattern that candidates entering the 2026 cycle should expect:

Pass rates have stayed in the 20 to 30 percent range over the last six sessions. The pass-rate variance is driven by the difficulty of the question paper, the mix of institutions the candidates graduated from, and the time gap between graduation and the FMGE attempt. Candidates who appear in the same calendar year as their graduation typically perform better than candidates who wait a year or more to attempt, per the NBEMS session analyses.

The December 2024 session was a low-pass-rate outlier at 21 percent, driven by tougher pre-clinical and para-clinical questions. The June 2025 session returned to the 25 to 30 percent band. The December 2025 session appears to be in the same 25 to 30 percent band based on the result published January 29 2026. Candidates should treat the 25 percent band as the planning baseline for preparation budget and timeline, not the 21 percent outlier.

Eligibility: who must take FMGE

FMGE eligibility covers three categories of candidates per the NBEMS information bulletin:

The WDOMS listing requirement is the most common cause of ineligibility. Candidates who graduated from a foreign institution that is not currently listed in the WDOMS, including some Chinese, Caribbean, and Eastern European institutions, cannot appear for FMGE. The list is updated by WDOMS, not by NBEMS; candidates should verify their institution's listing status before applying.

There is no upper age limit for FMGE, no attempt cap, and no requirement to complete an internship before appearing. The only requirement is possession of the primary medical qualification (the MBBS-equivalent degree from the foreign institution) and a valid passport per the NBEMS information bulletin.

Exam pattern: 2 papers, 100 MCQs each

Each FMGE paper is 2 hours 30 minutes, 100 MCQs, 150 marks. The two papers cover the full pre-clinical, para-clinical, and clinical syllabus prescribed by the Medical Council of India / NMC regulations per the NBEMS information bulletin:

The exam is conducted in a single day, in two shifts with a break in between. The two papers are held in computer-based mode at NBEMS-designated test centers across India. There is no practical or viva component; the screening test is fully objective per the NBEMS information bulletin.

The syllabus maps to the MBBS curriculum prescribed by the NMC. Foreign graduates from institutions that follow the same curriculum typically find the exam content familiar; candidates from institutions with significantly different curricula (some Caribbean and Eastern European programs) report more time-on-syllabus in the first attempt.

Application, fee, and scorecard timeline

The FMGE application opens roughly 60 to 75 days before the exam date. The application fee is INR 6,000 for general and OBC candidates and INR 3,000 for SC, ST, and PwD candidates per the NBEMS fee schedule. The fee is non-refundable.

For the December 2025 session, the key dates were:

• Application window: October to November 2025
• Exam date: January 17, 2026
• Result date: January 29, 2026
• Scorecard release: February 6, 2026
• Pass certificate collection: February 23 to April 14, 2026 (from NBEMS office, New Delhi)

Candidates who pass FMGE must collect the pass certificate in person from the NBEMS office in New Delhi, or through an authorized representative with a notarized authorization letter. The pass certificate is required for NMC or State Medical Council registration. Without the pass certificate, the FMGE qualification is not complete for registration purposes per the NBEMS information bulletin.

What to do after passing

After clearing FMGE, candidates follow one of three paths:

1. Provisional or permanent registration with NMC or a State Medical Council. Required to practice medicine in India. The pass certificate is the supporting document for the registration application per the NMC registration process.
2. Internship in an Indian hospital. One year of rotational internship in an NMC-recognized institution is required before full registration. Most candidates complete the internship immediately after FMGE.
3. NEET PG for post-graduate studies. NEET PG eligibility requires an MBBS-equivalent degree and either a permanent registration or proof that registration is in process. FMGE-passed candidates who complete the internship are eligible to sit NEET PG per the NEET PG information bulletin.

The pass certificate is a one-time document; if lost, NBEMS charges a re-issue fee and the process takes 30 to 60 days. Candidates should preserve the original certificate and make notarized copies for registration and NEET PG applications.

What to budget for

Three cost paths settle the FMGE candidate's preparation budget per the NBEMS fee schedule and published coaching-class fees:

Self-study. Budget INR 6,000 to 12,000 (application fee plus one study guide). Most candidates use the standard Indian MBBS textbooks (Anatomy by BD Chaurasia, Physiology by Guyton, Medicine by Harrison's) and prior FMGE question papers. Pass rate for self-study candidates is roughly 20 to 30 percent.

Coaching class (online or in-person). Budget INR 20,000 to 80,000 (application fee plus coaching class plus study materials). Popular providers include DAMS, Bhatia, and Pre-PG. Pass rate for coaching-class candidates is typically 30 to 45 percent per the published coaching-class outcomes.

Full-time residential coaching (6 to 12 month program). Budget INR 150,000 to 400,000 (application fee plus tuition plus accommodation). Pass rate for full-time program candidates is typically 40 to 55 percent.

Passing FMGE on the first attempt saves the second-attempt fee (INR 6,000) and the cost of additional preparation. The first-attempt pass rate of 20 to 30 percent across the population means the average candidate attempts the exam 1.4 to 2 times; the multi-attempt cost is real and should be factored into the preparation budget.

What to watch in 2026

Three signals settle the rest of 2026 for FMGE candidates per the NBEMS schedule:

First, the June 2026 session result (expected late July 2026). The June 2026 session application window has already closed; the exam is held in late June, and the result is expected by late July 2026. Pass rate is the key signal.

Second, the December 2026 session application window. The application typically opens in October 2026; candidates who did not pass the June 2026 attempt or who are first-time applicants should target the December 2026 cycle.

Third, the NMC's ongoing curriculum-alignment review. The NMC has signaled that the FMGE syllabus may be revised to align with the new Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) curriculum that Indian MBBS programs adopted in 2019. Any syllabus change would take effect with a 12 to 18 month lead time, so the December 2026 session is the most likely cycle for the first CBME-aligned FMGE.

Resources and next steps

• NBEMS FMGE information bulletin and schedule: nbe.edu.in
• World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS) listing check: wdoms.org
• National Medical Commission (NMC) registration process: nmc.org.in
• NEET PG 2026 exam complete guide (post-FMGE pathway for post-graduate medical education)
• NEET PG 2026 centres counselling guide
• NEET PG difficulty level year by year analysis
• Medical assistant certification cost 2026 (parallel allied-health certification)