Centre Defends FMGE Exam Process Amid Candidate Complaints

The Centre has defended the conduct of the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) held on June 28, 2026, amid complaints from candidates.

In a clarification provided to the Lok Sabha on August 7, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare stated that video-based questions were not introduced without notice and had been included in the official demo test made available to candidates before the examination.

The clarification came in response to a question raised by MPs Kuldeep Indora and Zia Rehman over complaints from FMGE candidates about the June 2026 examination. Candidates had reportedly raised concerns over the inclusion of video-based questions, alleged changes in the examination pattern, the difficulty and length of the paper, transparency in evaluation, and the non-release of the answer key.

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) had included video-based questions in the official demo test available to candidates before the examination to familiarise them with the examination interface and pattern.

The Centre rejected the suggestion that the video-based questions were introduced without prior information. The FMGE is conducted by NBEMS under the Screening Test Regulations for Foreign Medical Graduates and is used for foreign medical graduates seeking provisional or permanent registration with the National Medical Commission (NMC) or the respective State Medical Councils.

The government also clarified the pass rate reported for the June 2026 examination, stating that the overall pass percentage was 12.78%, not 12.40% as mentioned in the question raised in Parliament. However, among freshers, or candidates appearing for FMGE for the first time, the pass percentage was more than 35%.

The Ministry said the overall pass percentage cannot be attributed to the examination paper alone and depends on several factors, including the quality of medical education received by candidates, their individual level of knowledge, and their performance in the examination.

One of the major demands raised by candidates was the release of the FMGE June 2026 answer key to improve transparency in the evaluation process. However, the government explained that the examination operates through a structured question bank containing a finite pool of validated questions and is covered by a Non-Disclosure Agreement, as stated in Clause 9.7 of the FMGE Information Bulletin.

The Centre's defence of the FMGE exam process comes amid concerns raised by candidates over the transparency and fairness of the examination. The government's clarification aims to address these concerns and provide a clear understanding of the exam process.

The FMGE exam is a crucial step for foreign medical graduates seeking to practice in India, and the Centre's defence of the exam process is significant for these candidates. The government's explanation of the pass percentage and the factors affecting it also provides valuable insight into the exam results.

In conclusion, the Centre's defence of the FMGE exam process highlights the importance of transparency and fairness in medical examinations. The government's clarification aims to address the concerns raised by candidates and provide a clear understanding of the exam process, which is crucial for foreign medical graduates seeking to practice in India.