NMC clarifies FMGE eligibility, allows BS online students to appear for foreign medical graduate exam

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued a clarification regarding eligibility criteria for students who pursued the Bachelor of Science (BS) course in foreign medical institutes before the Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations (FMGL) 2021.

The NMC has clarified that students who had taken admission in the BS course or were pursuing the BS course in foreign medical institutes either in online mode or physical mode before the FMGL notification on November 18, 2021, will be required to clear the FMGE exam to be eligible for medical registration in India.

In the notification issued on December 7, 2023, the eligibility norms were limited to BS students who studied in physical mode. The eligibility criteria has now been extended to include BS students who took admission in foreign medical institutes in online mode.

Students who had taken admission in the BS Course or who were studying BS Course in a Foreign Medical Institutes, either through online mode or in physical mode, prior to the publication of Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations, 2021 (FMGL, 2021) dated 18.11.2021, shall be governed by Screening Test Regulation, 2002, the NMC notice read.

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However, BS course students covered under this one-time exemption will be required to undergo one additional year of internship in India, while foreign medical graduates holding an MBBS or equivalent degree will be required to complete a two-year internship.

The compulsory internship requirements are in line with existing norms to ensure adequate clinical exposure and uniform standards of medical education and practice.

“This is to ensure adequate clinical exposure to the Indian healthcare system, alignment with national treatment protocols, and adherence to prescribed standards of patient care, thereby safeguarding public health and maintaining uniform standards in medical education and practice,” it said.

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has issued the FMGE exam city slip for the December 2025 session today on the official website, natboard.edu.in. The FMGE exam will be conducted on January 17 for all registered candidates in 67 exam cities across India.