Is the FMGE exam compulsory for Indian students who complete MBBS abroad?
Yes, FMGE is compulsory for practising medicine in India after a foreign MBBS, unless you are fully licensed in the USA, UK, Australia, Canada or New Zealand. You need 150 of 300 marks to pass, then a compulsory rotating internship. NExT, its planned replacement, stands deferred, so FMGE remains active.
Yes, if you complete your MBBS abroad and want to practise medicine in India, the FMGE is compulsory before the National Medical Commission or any State Medical Council will register you. The only way around it is completing your degree and obtaining a full licence to practise in one of five specific countries. Here is how the rule applies to you.
Where the FMGE Rule Applies
| Where You Study MBBS | Is FMGE Required? |
|---|---|
| Russia, Georgia, China, Philippines and similar destinations | Yes, mandatory before you can register in India |
| USA, UK, Australia, Canada or New Zealand | Exempt, but only if you also obtain a formal licence to practise there |
| Any other foreign country | Yes, FMGE is compulsory |
FMGE Key Facts You Should Know
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Passing score | 150 out of 300 marks (50%) |
| After passing | Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) in India before your permanent licence |
| Regulator | National Medical Commission (NMC) and State Medical Councils |
| Future change | The National Exit Test (NExT) will eventually replace FMGE, but it stands deferred, so FMGE remains the active exam |
My Advice
Before you pay any university abroad, verify that it appears on the NMC-recognized list, because an unrecognized degree bars you from the FMGE entirely. Treat FMGE preparation as a parallel track from your first year of MBBS rather than a post-graduation scramble, and remember the exemption route demands a full foreign licence, not just the degree certificate.
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