FMGE 2026: NBEMS to conduct additional exam in October; AIMSA calls off protest

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has announced that it will conduct an additional Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) by the end of October 2026. The announcement comes after the All India Medical Student Association (AIMSA), Foreign Medical Student Wing (FMSW), called off its protest following discussions with the examination authority.

In a post on X, NBEMS said the additional FMGE is among the candidate-friendly measures announced to address concerns raised by foreign medical graduates (FMGs). The board added that it remains committed to addressing the “genuine concerns” of FMGs.

The additional examination will provide eligible candidates with an earlier opportunity to appear for FMGE, instead of waiting for the next regular examination cycle.

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The June 2026 FMGE had recorded a 12.38% pass rate, with 4,636 of the 37,448 candidates who appeared qualifying. Candidates had protested over the difficulty of the examination, video-based questions, examination-centre facilities and transparency.

FMGE 2026: AIMSA-FMSW calls off protest

The AIMSA Foreign Medical Student Wing had been protesting over concerns related to the June 2026 FMGE , including demands for relief for candidates. The protest had entered its seventh day on August 26, with some candidates also observing a hunger strike.

The latest announcement by NBEMS has now led the student body to withdraw its protest.

NBEMS has not yet announced the exact date, registration schedule or application details for the additional FMGE. Candidates will have to wait for the official notification for details regarding eligibility, application and examination centres.

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The announcement of an additional examination does not indicate any change in the result of the June 2026 FMGE . The expert committee constituted by NBEMS had not recommended grace or compensatory marks for the June examination.

FMGE to be held three times a year

From next year, the FMGE will be conducted three times a year, according to the minutes of the meeting between NBEMS officials and representatives of the Association of Indian Medical Students Association-Foreign Medical Students and Graduates (AIMSA-FMSW), PTI reported. The exam will be held in December/January, April/May and August/September.

The FMGE question paper difficulty level will also be rationalised. As per the meeting minutes, the proportion of low, moderate and difficult questions will be 30:50:20, respectively. The exam fee will also be reduced from the next examination cycle, according to PTI.

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NBEMS to publish question, response IDs

In another key decision, NBEMS will publish question IDs, correct answer IDs, candidate response IDs and marks awarded for each question on the applicant portal. The board will also inform the Delhi High Court, in an ongoing case, that 14 video-based questions were included in the June 2026 FMGE.

To address concerns over examination procedures, candidates will get an additional one minute per section, subject to a maximum of three minutes per shift, to account for time spent on biometric attendance. NBEMS has also agreed to improve facilities at examination centres and issue necessary instructions to its technology partner.

The meeting also discussed the demand for FMG representation on the NBEMS grievance redressal committee for FMGE-related matters. The NBEMS governing body will examine the request, while the examination authority has agreed to increase interactions with foreign medical graduates.