FMGE Exam - A Comprehensive Guide for International Medical Graduates

The Foreign Medical Graduate Examination, commonly known as FMGE, is a licensure examination conducted by the National Board of Examinations (NBE) in India. It serves as a qualifying exam for Indian citizens and overseas citizens of India who have completed their medical education from institutions outside India.

Read on for complete information about the FMGE exam, including its full form, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, syllabus, application process, and more to help international medical graduates prepare thoroughly.

What is FMGE Full Form?

FMGE stands for Foreign Medical Graduates Examination. It was previously known as the Screening Test, hence the common usage of terms like FMGE Screening Test.

FMGE - An Overview

FMGE is the pathway for international medical graduates to get provisional or permanent registration with the Nation Medical Council of India (NMCI) or State Medical Councils to practice Medicine in India. The exam aims to assess the level of preparedness of students before they start medical practice in the country.

It tests the knowledge and competency of students as per the standards of medical education in India. The exam is conducted twice a year, in June and December, in an online computer-based mode.

FMGE Eligibility Criteria 2023 To appear for FMGE 2023, an applicant must:

• Be an Indian citizen or overseas citizen of India who studied Medicine abroad.
• Possess a primary medical qualification degree certified by the Indian Embassy concerned to confirm its recognition.
• Have completed a medical course with proper registration at the university.
• Completed their medical education after November 15, 2019, with an English-taught curriculum.
• Completed an internship or are expected to complete it within three months of taking the FMGE.

Additionally, the medical university should be listed in:

• World Health Organization’s (WHO) World Directory of Medical Schools
• Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER) list

FMGE Exam Pattern 2023

• FMGE will be a computer-based exam with a total of 300 multiple-choice questions.
• The exam duration will be 150 minutes with no sectional time limits.
• The paper comprises 300 MCQs with four options each. There is NO negative marking.

Questions are distributed as follows:

• Anatomy - 15%
• General Physiology - 15%
• Biochemistry - 15%
• Pathology - 15%
• Microbiology - 15%
• General Pharmacology - 10%
• Forensic Medicine - 5%
• General Medicine - 10%

Students have to secure at least 150 marks out of 300, i.e., 50% marks, to qualify.

FMGE 2023 Syllabus

The FMGE exam syllabus includes subjects studied in the 2nd year to the final year of the MBBS program in India.

1. Anatomy: Gross and microscopic anatomy, embryology, anatomy of heart, lungs, kidney, and abdomen with principles applied to medical conditions and human development.
2. Physiology: General physiology - cell function, blood circulation, respiration, excretion, reproduction, digestion, nutrition, muscle contraction, and endocrine system.
3. Biochemistry: Biomolecules, molecular biology, vitamins, proteins, enzymes, carbohydrates, lipids, basic immunology with application to clinical conditions.
4. Pharmacology: Basic principles of drug action, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics, drugs for the autonomic nervous system, cardiovascular system, immune system, hormones, etc.
5. Pathology: Inflammation, repair, disturbances of growth, circulation, sepsis, gene mutations, cancer, and other tumors, with clinical correlation.
6. Microbiology: Morphology, classification, growth, structure of bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, infection types, anti-microbial therapy, etc.
7. Forensic Medicine: Document examination, physical examination, asphyxial deaths, identification, autopsy, injuries, toxicology, sexual investigation, etc.
8. General Medicine: Diagnosis, clinical features, and management of common diseases and disorders affecting different body systems.

FMGE 2023 Application Process

• The application form will be available in online mode at nbe.edu.in
• Applicants have to register at the website using their email ID and password.
• Fill in personal, academic, and medical registration details in the form.
• Upload scanned copies of documents - photos, birth certificate, ID proof, etc.
• Choose the exam city and schedule preferred dates.
• Pay exam fees online through Netbanking, Credit, Debit card, etc.
• Download the confirmation page once the form is submitted.
• Hall tickets will be issued online before the exam.

Documents Required:

• Passport size photos
• Citizenship certificate - Aadhar, passport, etc
• MBBS degree certificate
• Marksheets of all professional exams
• Completed internship certificate
• Registration proof at the university
• FMGE application form

FMGE 2023 Exam Fees:

The FMGE exam fee for the 2023 session is Rs 7,815, including GST, to be paid online. Additional charges for rejected transactions may apply.

In Closing

FMGE offers a pathway for international medical graduates to return to India to complete their internship or residency and ultimately practice as licensed physicians. With prudent preparation using this comprehensive FMGE guide, aspirants can successfully clear the screening test and embark on fulfilling medical careers.

Note

The Medical Council of India (MCI) mandates Indian students aspiring to pursue medicine abroad to secure an MCI Eligibility Certificate. Additionally, Indian citizens holding a primary medical qualification from a foreign institution need this certificate to partake in the FMGE. These certificates typically take about five working days to process and are dispatched via post, not provided in person.

The National Medical Commission (NMC) gave 10 days to 972 MBBS students to submit their applications for eligibility certificates. The NMC's notice stated that the applicants had left the country without obtaining the certificates.

For assistance regarding eligibility certificates, individuals can reach out to the NMC Candidate helpdesk at 1800111154 or through email at eligibility@nmc.org.in or usregn@nmc.org.in. Additional contact numbers include +91-11-25367033, 25367035, 25367036, and 25367037 (Extn. 129, 298).