FMGE December 2025: NBEMS Publishes Detailed Eligibility Criteria for Screening Test
The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has released the crucial and detailed eligibility criteria for the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) December 2025 session. This mandatory screening test is the gateway for Indian citizens and OCIs with foreign medical qualifications to register and practice medicine in India. Aspirants must carefully adhere to the rules concerning their Primary Medical Qualification (PMQ) recognition, mandatory cut-off dates for degree completion, and the necessity of the NMC Eligibility Certificate. Read the full guide to ensure your application is compliant.
The journey for Indian students who pursue their medical education abroad culminates in a single, high-stakes examination: the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE). The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has now officially published the detailed eligibility criteria for the FMGE December 2025 session, setting the foundation for the January 17, 2026, screening test. This information, released via the Information Bulletin, is indispensable for all prospective candidates—Indian Citizens and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI)—who seek provisional or permanent registration with the National Medical Commission (NMC) or State Medical Councils.
This comprehensive guide breaks down the essential requirements mandated by the NBEMS and the regulatory body, the NMC, ensuring aspirants have a clear roadmap to a successful application and clearance for the exam. Failing to meet even a single criterion, especially concerning the Primary Medical Qualification (PMQ) and its recognition, can lead to the rejection of candidature at any stage.
I. Educational and Citizenship Mandates
The primary eligibility checks for the FMGE December 2025 session revolve around the candidate’s nationality and the standing of their foreign medical degree. These foundational rules ensure compliance with Indian medical standards.
- Citizenship Requirement:
- The candidate must be an Indian Citizen or an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI). This examination is exclusively for this category of candidates who have obtained their primary medical qualification from outside India.
- Primary Medical Qualification (PMQ) Recognition:
- The candidate must possess a Primary Medical Qualification (MBBS equivalent) awarded by an institution outside India.
- This qualification must be confirmed by the concerned Indian Embassy to be a recognized qualification for enrolment as a medical practitioner in the country where the degree-awarding institution is situated.
- The medical institution must be listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS).
- Mandatory Cut-off Date for Degree:
- Candidates must be in possession of their Provisional Pass Certificate/Degree Certificate of their PMQ, and the result must be declared on or before the crucial cut-off date specified in the Information Bulletin (usually a few weeks before the examination, which is typically December 4, 2025, for the December session).
- Eligibility Criteria for MBBS in India:
- Candidates must have also fulfilled the eligibility criteria for admission to the MBBS course in India as prescribed in the Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 1997. This includes the minimum qualifying marks in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English in the 10+2 level.
II. Documentation and Exemption Rules
Apart from the fundamental qualifications, NBEMS places a strong emphasis on the correct documentation, including the mandatory Eligibility Certificate from the NMC, and clarifies specific exemptions.
- NMC Eligibility Certificate:
- Only eligible candidates who possess both the NMC Eligibility Certificate (if applicable) and the Provisional Pass Certificate/Degree Certificate of PMQ will be allowed to appear in the FMGE.
- This certificate is required for students who commenced their studies abroad after a specific regulatory date and confirms they met the minimum entrance qualification for MBBS in India (including NEET-UG qualification for students admitted after 2018).
- Essential Documents for Application:
- Aspirants must upload several documents during the online application process. These include:
- The Primary Medical Qualification Certificate (PMQC).
- Apostille/Attestation of the PMQC by the Indian embassy in the respective country.
- Proof of Citizenship (Passport copy for Indian Nationals/OCI card for OCIs).
- The Eligibility Certificate from the NMC (or an exemption proof).
- Aspirants must upload several documents during the online application process. These include:
- Exemption from FMGE:
- Candidates seeking provisional or permanent registration in India are exempted from the Screening Test if they hold an undergraduate medical qualification from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, or the United States of America, provided the holder has also been awarded a postgraduate medical qualification from the same country and is eligible to be enrolled as a medical practitioner there.
III. Examination Format and Performance Expectations
The FMGE is a qualifying examination, and aspirants must focus on achieving the minimum qualifying score to clear this hurdle. The exam is scheduled for January 17, 2026.
- Examination Pattern:
- The FMGE is conducted as a Computer-Based Test (CBT).
- It consists of 300 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), covering all subjects taught during the MBBS curriculum.
- The exam is divided into two parts, each of 150 questions, with a scheduled break in between. The total duration is 300 minutes (5 hours).
- Qualifying Marks:
- To be declared 'Qualified' (Pass), candidates must score a minimum of 150 marks out of 300 (50%).
- Importantly, there is no negative marking in the FMGE, a factor aspirants must leverage to attempt all questions strategically.
- Previous Session Pass Rate:
- The FMGE is known for its challenging nature, with a typical pass rate around 15-20%. For instance, the FMGE June 2025 session saw a pass rate of only around 18%, underscoring the necessity of focused and thorough preparation.
Conclusion
The release of the detailed eligibility criteria by NBEMS for the FMGE December 2025 session is the most critical update for Foreign Medical Graduates. The window for online application closes on December 4, 2025. Aspirants must not delay in cross-referencing their academic and documentation status against every point mentioned in the Information Bulletin. Ensuring your Primary Medical Qualification is recognized, your documents are correctly attested by the Indian Embassy, and your degree completion date falls within the stipulated cut-off are non-negotiable prerequisites. Diligence in this application phase will prevent last-minute cancellations and pave the way for a successful appearance on January 17, 2026.
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