The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has announced several changes to the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE), including an additional exam in October 2026, a reduction in the examination fee and greater transparency in the evaluation process.
An additional FMGE exam will be conducted by the end of October, giving foreign medical graduates an opportunity to attempt the licensing examination earlier. The decision follows meetings between NBEMS officials and representatives of the All India Medical Student Association, Foreign Medical Student Wing (AIMSA-FMSW), over concerns raised following the June 2026 examination.
AIMSA-FMSW has subsequently called off its protest.
From 2027, FMGE is expected to be conducted three times a year, in December/January, April/May and August/September.
NBEMS has also decided to adopt a more balanced difficulty level, with 30 per cent of questions categorised as easy, 50 per cent as moderate and 20 per cent as difficult.
The examination fee will be reduced from the next exam onwards. Candidates will also be able to access question IDs, correct answer IDs, their marked response IDs and marks awarded for individual questions through the candidate portal.
In the ongoing Delhi High Court case concerning the June 2026 FMGE, NBEMS will state that 14 video-based questions were included in the examination.
The board will also consider including an FMG representative on its grievance redressal committee and has assured candidates of greater interaction with foreign medical graduates.
NBEMS will instruct its technology partner to improve facilities at examination centres. Candidates will also receive one additional minute per section, capped at three additional minutes per shift, to account for time required for biometric attendance.