NBEMS Forms 3-Member Committee to Probe FMGE June 2026 Exam Complaints After FMG Protests

After many Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) protested over the way the FMGE June 2026 exam was conducted and the results, the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has decided to form a three-member committee to look into the candidates’ concerns regarding the exam's difficulty and problems at test centers. This decision came after hundreds of FMGs, doctors, and faculty members held peaceful demonstrations outside the NBEMS office and at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 10. These protesters asked for more transparency in the FMGE process and wanted help for those who felt the exam was unusually hard.

Why are FMG candidates protesting?

The protests were organized by the All India Medical Students' Association – Foreign Medical Students' Wing (AIMSA-FMSW) and the Association of Foreign Medical Graduates (AFA). These groups said the June 2026 FMGE paper was much harder than in previous years. According to candidates, it was even tougher than competitive exams like NEET-PG and INI-CET. Candidates also mentioned poor facilities and bad infrastructure at several test centers, which they believed affected their performance in the licensing exam.

Low Pass Percentage Triggers Concerns

The situation got worse after the results of the FMGE June 2026 exam were announced. The pass percentage was one of the lowest in recent years. According to data from student groups, 37,448 candidates took the exam, but only 4,635 passed, giving an overall pass rate of about 12.4%. Over 31,000 candidates failed, while some were absent, and a few results were not released. The big drop in the pass rate led medical graduates and their organizations to question whether the exam had gone beyond its role as a screening test to assess basic medical competence for practice in India.

NBEMS to Review Complaints and CCTV Footage

After talks with protesters, NBEMS said it would form a three-person panel to look into exam-related complaints.
The board will also work with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and review available evidence, including CCTV footage and reports from exam centers, to investigate the concerns raised by candidates. The associations say NBEMS has promised candidates that steps will be taken to prevent such issues from happening again in future FMGE exams.

Demand for Reduction in Passing Marks

One major demand during the protest was a one-time reduction in the passing marks for the FMGE, considering the tough conditions of the June 2026 exam. However, NBEMS reportedly told the protest delegation that such a decision is not within its authority and needs to be made by the Supreme Court of India. Many doctors and medical professionals have different opinions on this. Some believe that extremely difficult exams should have temporary relaxation in passing criteria to ensure fairness. Others argue that the exam process should be reviewed and standardized instead of lowering the passing threshold.

Demand for Greater Transparency

Student groups are also asking for the release of the FMGE question papers and answer keys, arguing that more transparency would help candidates understand how answers are evaluated and build trust in the exam system. The FMGE is a mandatory screening exam conducted by NBEMS for Indian citizens and overseas citizens of India who got their medical degrees from outside India and want to register to practice medicine in the country. The exam is held twice a year in a computer-based format. With NBEMS now planning to review the allegations through a dedicated committee and examine evidence from test centers, thousands of foreign medical graduates are waiting to see what happens next and hope for changes that ensure a more transparent and fair exam process in future FMGE sessions.