How many students who study medicine abroad actually obtain a license to practice in India? The answer lies in the number of candidates who pass the FMGE, the mandatory screening test for foreign medical graduates.
Countries like Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Iran, China, and the Philippines are popular destinations for Indian students pursuing medical degrees. The trend of going abroad for medical education has been steadily increasing, driven by lower fees, easier admission criteria, or the highly competitive nature of the NEET exam in India. While obtaining a medical degree abroad is not difficult, returning to India and practicing medicine is a major challenge due to a rigorous screening test called the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE).
What is FMGE?
The FMGE, conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) twice a year—in June and December—is essentially a screening test. It evaluates whether foreign medical graduates (FMGs) possess the knowledge and skills required to practice medicine in India.
Why is FMGE required despite holding a medical degree?
In India, admission to MBBS, BDS, and other medical courses requires passing the NEET UG exam. However, many students who fail to secure admission in India or do not meet NEET criteria choose to study abroad, where admission standards differ. Additionally, medical curricula, teaching methods, and regulations vary across countries. FMGE ensures a standardized assessment of knowledge and clinical competency for students returning from foreign institutions.
FMGE Passing Statistics – 10 Years of Data
The numbers reveal a concerning reality: only about a quarter of students who attempt the FMGE pass it successfully. In some years, even fewer than 10% succeed. The year-wise FMGE passing percentages from 2016 to 2025 are as follows:
| Year | FMGE Passing Percentage |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 11.22% |
| 2017 | 7.41% |
| 2018 | 10.20% |
| 2019 | 20.70% |
| 2020 | 9.94% |
| 2021 | 24.54% |
| 2022 | 23.35% |
| 2023 (June) | 10.20% |
| 2023 (December) | 20.57% |
| 2024 (June) | 20.89% |
| 2025 (June) | 18.61% |
| 2025 (December) | 23.90% |
The worst record in the past 13–14 years was in 2014, when only 4.93% of candidates passed the exam.
Why do foreign medical graduates fail FMGE?
These statistics raise important questions: Is medical education abroad inadequate? Or is FMGE exceptionally tough? Experts clarify that FMGE does not merely test memorization; it evaluates clinical understanding and the ability to apply knowledge in real-life scenarios. In many countries, the medical curriculum and clinical exposure are not as rigorous as in India, making it challenging for returning graduates to meet Indian standards.
The FMGE is a 300-mark exam, with a minimum of 150 marks required to pass. In December 2025, a total of 43,933 candidates appeared for FMGE, of which only 10,264 cleared the exam. Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria can attempt the exam as many times as needed—there is no limit on attempts.
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