The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) will conduct an additional Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) by the end of October 2026, offering eligible foreign medical graduates an earlier opportunity to appear for the screening test.The decision comes after more than a week of protests by foreign medical graduates in New Delhi over the June 2026 FMGE results. The announcement is among several measures taken by NBEMS following discussions with representatives of the protesting candidates.
NBEMS announces third FMGE attempt in 2026
In a notice issued on Thursday, NBEMS said the additional examination is being planned to provide eligible candidates with an opportunity to appear for the FMGE earlier than the next regular session.The board has indicated that the examination will be held by October-end. However, details such as the exact examination date, registration window and application procedure are yet to be announced.The additional attempt is significant for foreign medical graduates who would otherwise have had to wait for the next scheduled FMGE session. Further instructions are expected to be issued separately by NBEMS.
Decision follows protests over June FMGE results
The announcement follows an eight-day protest by foreign medical graduates in New Delhi. Candidates had gathered in the Gautam Nagar area, raising concerns over the June 2026 FMGE results and seeking greater transparency in the examination process.The protesters had demanded several changes, including a review of the qualifying criteria and greater clarity on how the examination was evaluated. Some candidates also called for more frequent FMGE sessions so that those who do not qualify do not have to wait for extended periods before getting another opportunity.The concerns were not limited to Delhi, with foreign medical graduates in other parts of the country also voicing dissatisfaction over the June examination outcome.
What are FMGE candidates demanding?
At the centre of the dispute is the performance of candidates in the June 2026 FMGE and the qualifying threshold required to clear the screening test.Candidates protesting in Delhi had sought a reduction in the qualifying marks, along with greater transparency in the evaluation process. They also wanted better access to examination-related information and mechanisms that could help them understand their performance.The issue has highlighted the difficulties faced by foreign-trained medical graduates who must clear the FMGE before they can seek registration to practise medicine in India.For many candidates, an unsuccessful attempt means not only another examination but also additional time before they can progress towards registration and professional practice.
NBEMS maintains qualifying standard cannot be lowered
While announcing the additional examination, NBEMS has not indicated any reduction in the existing qualifying standard.The examination authority has maintained that the qualifying requirement is linked to the competency expected from foreign medical graduates seeking registration to practise medicine in India. Lowering the benchmark, according to the board’s position, would not be appropriate when the examination is intended to assess whether candidates meet the required level of medical competence.This remains one of the key points of disagreement between the examination authority and the protesting candidates.
No compensation announced for June 2026 candidates
The latest announcement also does not include any compensation for candidates who appeared in the June 2026 FMGE.While the additional examination gives eligible foreign medical graduates another opportunity to take the screening test sooner, NBEMS has not announced any financial or other compensation linked to the June session.For candidates who had sought broader relief following the June results, the October examination therefore addresses one part of their concerns but does not resolve all the issues raised during the protests.
Protest called off after discussions with NBEMS
The All India Medical Student Association’s foreign medical student wing called off its protest following discussions with NBEMS.The decision to end the agitation came after the examination authority announced measures concerning the FMGE, including the additional examination planned for October.The development marks a temporary de-escalation of the dispute between foreign medical graduates and the examination authority. However, questions surrounding evaluation transparency, qualifying standards and access to examination-related information remain important issues for candidates.
What next for FMGE aspirants?
Eligible foreign medical graduates seeking to use the additional opportunity will have to wait for NBEMS to release the detailed notification.The board is expected to provide information on the examination date, eligibility requirements, registration process, application fee and other instructions separately.Candidates planning to appear for the additional FMGE should therefore monitor official NBEMS announcements and avoid relying on unverified information circulating on social media.The October-end examination could provide a much-needed quicker route back into the examination cycle for eligible candidates. At the same time, the continuing debate over the June results shows that the demand for greater transparency in the FMGE process is unlikely to disappear with the announcement of an additional attempt.For now, NBEMS’s decision gives foreign medical graduates another chance to clear the screening test sooner, while leaving the larger questions over the June 2026 examination and its evaluation process open for further discussion.
