FMGE 2026: NBEMS Announces Major Changes, Additional October Exam and 3 FMGE Sessions From 2027

FMGE to Be Conducted Three Times a Year From 2027

According to the minutes of the 27 August meeting, NBEMS has agreed that FMGE will be conducted three times a year from 2027 onwards.

The proposed examination windows are:

This is a major change from the existing two-session pattern and could significantly reduce the waiting period for foreign medical graduates who need to clear the screening examination.

Additional FMGE Examination in October 2026

For 2026, NBEMS has agreed to conduct one additional FMGE by the end of October.

This additional examination is intended to provide eligible FMGs with an earlier opportunity rather than requiring them to wait for the next regular examination cycle. NBEMS has subsequently issued an official notice regarding the conduct of the additional FMGE in October 2026.

Important: Candidates should rely on the formal NBEMS Information Bulletin for the final examination date, eligibility requirements, application schedule, examination centres and other operational details.

The official FMGE portal provides access to NBEMS notifications, Information Bulletins, application links and examination results.

FMGE Question Paper Difficulty to Be Rationalised

Another major decision concerns the difficulty distribution of the FMGE question paper.

As per the meeting minutes, NBEMS has agreed to rationalise the difficulty level by increasing the proportion of low- and moderate-difficulty questions.

The proposed distribution is:

Low : Moderate : Difficult = 30 : 50 : 20

This means approximately 30% of questions would fall into the low-difficulty category, 50% into moderate difficulty and 20% into the difficult category.

However, FMGE aspirants should not interpret this as a reduction in the qualifying standard. The decision concerns the composition of the question paper, not a change to the fundamental competency requirement for qualifying FMGE.

FMGE Examination Fee to Be Reduced

NBEMS has also agreed to reduce the FMGE examination fee from the next examination onwards.

The exact revised fee amount has not been specified in the meeting decision, so candidates should wait for the official NBEMS notification before relying on any figure circulated on social media.

More Transparency in FMGE Evaluation

One of the most important proposed changes is greater transparency regarding candidates' individual examination performance.

NBEMS has agreed to publish the following information on the applicant portal of each candidate:

• Question ID
• Correct Answer ID
• Candidate's Response ID
• Marks awarded for each question

This could give candidates significantly more information about how their responses were evaluated and help address concerns regarding examination transparency.

It is important to note that this decision should not automatically be interpreted as a commitment to publicly release a complete question paper and answer key for everyone.

June 2026 FMGE: 14 Video-Based Questions

The issue of video-based questions was also addressed during the meeting.

NBEMS has agreed to declare before the Delhi High Court, in an ongoing matter, that 14 video-based questions were included in the FMGE June 2026 examination.

The issue became a major concern among candidates following the June 2026 examination, with FMGs raising questions regarding the format and difficulty of these questions.

Additional Time for Biometric Attendance

NBEMS has also agreed to provide additional time to accommodate biometric attendance during the examination.

Candidates will receive:

1 additional minute per section, subject to a maximum of 3 additional minutes per shift.

This is specifically intended to account for the time required for biometric attendance procedures.

It should therefore not be understood as three extra minutes for every section.

Examination Centre Facilities to Be Improved

Concerns regarding examination-centre infrastructure were also discussed.

NBEMS has agreed that examination-centre facilities should be made more conducive for candidates, with necessary instructions to be issued to its technology partner.

The implementation of this measure will be important for candidates appearing in future FMGE sessions.

FMG Representation in Grievance Redressal Mechanism

AIMSA-FMSW had also requested representation of Foreign Medical Graduates in the NBEMS grievance-redressal mechanism for FMGE-related matters.

The NBEMS Governing Body will look into the request, while the board has agreed that interaction between NBEMS and FMGs should become more frequent.

This point should be described as under consideration, rather than saying that an FMG representative has already been appointed.

FMG Protest Called Off

Following the discussions and the agreed measures, AIMSA-FMSW agreed to call off its ongoing protest.

The protest had been linked to concerns surrounding the June 2026 FMGE, including examination difficulty, video-based questions, examination facilities, transparency and the demand for more frequent FMGE opportunities.

What These Changes Mean for FMGE Aspirants

The developments are particularly important for foreign medical graduates who are preparing for FMGE.

The additional examination in October 2026 provides eligible candidates with an opportunity to attempt the screening test earlier. From 2027, the proposed three-session schedule could further reduce the gap between attempts.

At the same time, candidates should avoid assuming that FMGE has simply become an “easy exam.” The 30:50:20 distribution refers to question difficulty, and there has been no announcement that the underlying competency requirement for qualifying FMGE has been removed or substantially lowered.

Similarly, candidates should not rely on social-media claims regarding the revised examination fee, exact application dates or examination schedule until those details are formally notified by NBEMS.

FMGE 2026–27: Key Takeaways

Additional FMGE: October 2026
FMGE frequency from 2027: Three examinations per year
Proposed sessions: December/January, April/May and August/September
Question difficulty distribution: 30% Low, 50% Moderate, 20% Difficult
Examination fee: Reduction agreed from the next examination
Candidate transparency: Question ID, correct answer ID, response ID and marks to be provided through the applicant portal
June 2026 video questions: NBEMS to state that 14 video-based questions were included before the Delhi High Court
Biometric attendance: Up to 3 additional minutes per shift
Exam centres: Facilities to be improved
FMG grievance representation: Request to be considered by NBEMS Governing Body

What Candidates Should Do Now

FMGE candidates should not wait for social-media posts to determine their application strategy.

Those planning to appear in the additional October 2026 FMGE should regularly check the official NBEMS FMGE portal for the Information Bulletin, application notification, eligibility requirements, application dates and examination schedule.

Candidates preparing for FMGE should also continue preparing according to the existing syllabus and competency requirements. The announced changes to question difficulty do not justify reducing preparation standards.

Medica Wing Analysis

The most consequential change is not simply the additional October examination. The move to three FMGE sessions every year from 2027 could materially change the timeline for foreign medical graduates, particularly candidates who previously had to wait several months for another attempt.

The October 2026 examination also creates an important near-term opportunity for eligible FMGs.

However, candidates should distinguish between confirmed NBEMS decisions, decisions under consideration and details still awaiting formal notification. The exact application process, fee amount and operational schedule should be taken only from the official NBEMS notification.

Medica Wing will continue tracking official FMGE notifications and examination updates for Foreign Medical Graduates.

Official NBEMS FMGE Portal

Sources: NBEMS official notices and FMGE portal; reporting based on the 27 August 2026 NBEMS–AIMSA-FMSW meeting minutes.