88 percent FMGE June 2026 candidates were repeaters, freshers had 35 percent pass rate: Govt
New Delhi: After concerns about the declining pass rate in the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) 2026, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel informed Parliament that the overall pass percentage in the FMGE June 2026 session stood at 12.78 percent and 35 percent for those who appeared for the first time.
According to the data shared by the Minister, the pass percentage among first-time FMGE candidates was more than 35%, while around 88% of the candidates who appeared for the June 2026 session were repeat candidates.
The pass rate in FMGE depends on multiple factors, including the quality of medical education imparted, individual candidate's level of knowledge and performance in the examination, said the Minister.
On July 28, 2026, a Member of Parliament asked the Union Health Minister whether the Government had taken note that only about 12% of candidates passed the FMGE 2026. The MP also sought details on the reasons for the decline in the pass rate, whether the quality of foreign medical education and FMGE screening standards had contributed to the low success rate, and whether the Government proposed any reforms in the FMGE, including syllabus alignment and support mechanisms for Indian students studying abroad.
Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) is conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) in accordance with the provisions of the Screening Test Regulations for Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) seeking provisional or permanent registration with the National Medical Commission (NMC) or the respective State Medical Councils (SMCs). The purpose of FMGE is to assess whether a candidate possesses knowledge and competence required to be granted registration to practice medicine in India.
"The pass rate in FMGE depends on multiple factors, including the quality of medical education imparted, individual candidate's level of knowledge and performance in the examination. The overall pass percentage in FMGE June 2026 is 12.78%. Amongst freshers (those who have appeared for the first time), the pass percentage is more than 35%. Around 88% candidates who had applied for FMGE June 2026 session were repeaters," the Minister said in response.
The Minister further informed that undergraduate medical curricula followed in different countries may vary from that of India, particularly with respect to public health priorities, national health programs and disease patterns. Any changes relating to the eligibility criteria, syllabus or regulatory framework governing FMGs are considered by the NMC from time to time in accordance with the statutory provisions and stakeholder requirements.
