National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) opens registration for FMGE December 2025

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has opened the registration portal for the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) December 2025 session. This is a mandatory licensure screening test for Indian citizens who have completed their MBBS degree abroad and wish to practice medicine in India. The application window is short: November 14 to December 4, 2025. The computer-based exam is scheduled for January 17, 2026. Candidates must ensure all eligibility criteria, including the MBBS qualification deadline of October 31, 2025, are met. Apply immediately on the official website: natboard.edu.in.

The pathway to practicing medicine in India is now officially open for thousands of Indian citizens and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) who have successfully completed their primary medical qualification (MBBS or equivalent) from institutions outside the country. The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has released the information bulletin and commenced the online application process for the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) December 2025 session. This biannual screening test is a crucial, non-negotiable step for obtaining provisional or permanent registration with the National Medical Commission (NMC) or any State Medical Council. The registration portal, active since November 14, 2025 (3:00 PM), will close sharply on December 4, 2025 (11:55 PM). Given the historically low pass rates—the June 2025 session saw only about 18% of candidates qualify—aspirants are urged to treat this registration and the subsequent preparation with utmost seriousness. The exam is confirmed to be held on January 17, 2026.

​Crucial Dates and Application Compliance

​The FMGE December 2025 session operates on a tight and strict schedule defined by the NBEMS. Missing any deadline, particularly the application closing date, will result in the forfeiture of the December attempt.

• ​Registration Window: 
  • ​Start Date: November 14, 2025 (3:00 PM onwards).
  • ​Final Deadline: December 4, 2025 (11:55 PM). Candidates must complete all steps and successfully pay the examination fee (approx. ₹6,195, including GST) within this period.
• ​Eligibility Cut-Off Date: 
  • ​Candidates must have successfully qualified the final MBBS examination or equivalent degree on or before October 31, 2025. Failure to produce documentation (like the Provisional Pass Certificate) proving this qualification date will lead to the cancellation of the candidature.
• ​Post-Application Schedule:
  • ​Edit Window: A short window for candidates to correct certain limited application details is scheduled from December 9 to December 11, 2025.
  • ​Exam City Intimation: Information regarding the allotted exam city will be released on January 2, 2026.
  • ​Admit Card Release: The final Admit Cards will be available for download on January 14, 2026.
• ​Examination and Results: 
  • ​FMGE Exam Date: The Computer-Based Test (CBT) will be held on January 17, 2026.
  • ​Result Declaration: Results are scheduled to be declared by February 17, 2026.

​ Mandatory Eligibility and Document Verification

​FMGE is primarily a document-driven examination process. The scrutiny of documents, especially the primary medical qualification, is extremely stringent. Candidates must ensure they meet all the mandatory eligibility criteria before applying.

• ​Primary Medical Qualification (MBBS):
  • ​The candidate must possess a medical qualification awarded by a foreign college or university, which should be recognized for enrollment as a medical practitioner in the country where the institution is situated.
  • ​The degree must be confirmed by the Indian Embassy to be a recognized qualification.
  • ​The foreign degree certificate (Provisional Pass Certificate/Degree Certificate) must be attested by the Indian Embassy in the country concerned or Apostilled in accordance with the Hague Convention.
• ​Citizenship Requirement: 
  • ​The applicant must be a Citizen of India or an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card holder. Foreign nationals are not eligible.
• ​Eligibility Certificate: 
  • ​Candidates who commenced their foreign medical course after May 2018 must possess the Eligibility Certificate issued by the NMC before commencing their course.
• ​Documentation Checklist Highlights:
  • ​Valid Passport (along with student visa and entry/exit details).
  • ​Copy of the Attested/Apostilled MBBS degree/Provisional Pass Certificate.
  • ​Internship completion certificate (if applicable).
  • ​Recent Passport-size Photograph and Scanned Signature (adhering to NBEMS specifications).

​Exam Pattern and Strategy: Aiming for 150/300

​The FMGE is known for its comprehensive nature and challenging scope. Understanding the exam pattern and passing criteria is vital for focusing preparation on high-yield subjects.

• ​Computer-Based Test (CBT) Format: The exam is a single-day, two-part computer-based test conducted in English only. 
  • ​Total Questions: 300 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs).
  • ​Duration: The exam is divided into two parts (Part A and Part B), each lasting 2 hours and 30 minutes, with a scheduled break in between.
• ​Marking Scheme: 
  • ​No Negative Marking: Crucially, there is no negative marking for incorrect answers. This encourages candidates to attempt all 300 questions.
  • ​Qualifying Score: The minimum passing criteria is 150 marks out of 300 (50%).
• ​High-Yield Subjects Focus: The syllabus covers all 19 subjects taught during the MBBS curriculum, but a strategic focus on clinical subjects is essential. 
  • ​Part A (Pre & Para-Clinical): Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pathology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, and Forensic Medicine.
  • ​Part B (Clinical): Medicine and Allied Subjects (highest weightage), Surgery and Allied Subjects, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Pediatrics, Ophthalmology, and ENT. Clinical subjects account for the majority of the questions.

​Conclusion

​The opening of the FMGE December 2025 registration is the definitive call to action for all Foreign Medical Graduates seeking licensure in India. With a tight application window closing on December 4, 2025, immediate registration and meticulous document verification—especially the attested MBBS certificate and eligibility cut-off date—are paramount. Given the high failure rate, the period between now and the January 17, 2026, exam date must be dedicated to intensive, focused preparation on high-yield clinical subjects and rigorous practice of 300-question mock tests to secure the mandatory 150 qualifying marks.

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