The Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) 2026 Paper 1 for the December 2025 session has concluded. The exam took place on January 17, 2026 . The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) conducted this important test for medical students who received their degrees from outside India. Students found the overall difficulty level of Paper 1 to be moderate .
This examination is a vital step for Indian citizens with foreign medical degrees. Passing FMGE allows them to practice medicine in India. The exam ensures that all doctors working in the country meet specific medical standards set by NBEMS.
FMGE 2026 Paper 1 Exam Details
Paper 1 of the FMGE 2026 was held in the morning. It started at 9:00 AM and finished at 11:30 AM . This part of the exam focused on Pre and Para Clinical Subjects. The total marks for Paper 1 were 100 . The subjects included in this shift were Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pathology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, and Forensic Medicine.
Subject-wise Questions in Paper 1
The questions in Paper 1 were divided among different subjects as planned by NBEMS. Here is how many questions were asked from each subject:
| Subject | Number of Questions |
| Anatomy | 17 |
| Physiology | 17 |
| Biochemistry | 17 |
| Pathology | 13 |
| Microbiology | 13 |
| Pharmacology | 13 |
| Forensic Medicine | 10 |
Student Reactions to FMGE 2026 Paper 1
Students who took the FMGE 2026 Paper 1 shared different views about the exam. Some students felt that the questions were fair and well-balanced. However, others found the paper to be somewhat tricky. One student commented that they had to "think like a doctor in a ward" while answering the questions. This suggests that the paper included practical, application-based questions.
What is the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE)?
The FMGE is a screening test. It is compulsory for Indian citizens who have a medical degree from a foreign university. They must pass this exam to register with the Medical Council of India (MCI) or any State Medical Council. This registration is necessary to practice medicine in India. The exam checks if foreign medical graduates have the required knowledge and skills to serve patients in India safely and effectively.
NBEMS conducts the FMGE exam twice every year. One session is held in June and the other in December. These regular exams help maintain high medical standards across the country.
FMGE 2026 Paper 2 Exam Details
The second part of the FMGE 2026 exam, Paper 2 (Shift 2), is also scheduled for January 17, 2026 . This shift will cover Clinical Subjects. Paper 2 will run from 2:00 PM in the afternoon until 4:30 PM . Subjects in Paper 2 include Medicine, Psychiatry, Radiotherapy, and other related clinical topics.
Next Steps for Students
Students who appeared for FMGE 2026 Paper 1 should now look for official updates from NBEMS. Information regarding exam results, answer keys, and further steps will be available on the official NBEMS website. Keeping an eye on these announcements is important for all candidates.
