FMGE
FMGE Exam Dates and Schedule: How the Two Sessions Work
A clear guide to the FMGE twice-yearly cycle, the mid-year and end-of-year sessions, and the stages from notification to result.
MedNext Editorial Team | Jul 18, 2026 | 7 min read
FMGE Exam Dates and Schedule: How the Two Sessions Work
A clear guide to the FMGE twice-yearly cycle, the mid-year and end-of-year sessions, and the stages from notification to result.
The Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) is held twice a year by NBEMS, usually one session near the middle of the year and one near the end. Each attempt is a computer-based test of 300 questions split into two papers of 150 each, sat on the same day, with a pass mark of 50 percent and no negative marking.
How the twice-yearly cycle works
NBEMS runs the FMGE on a repeating cycle across the calendar year. In practice this means two clearly separated windows: a mid-year session and an end-of-year session. Each window is a complete run of the same stages, so a candidate who is not eligible or not ready for one session can plan for the next.
Because there are two sittings each year, the schedule matters. A candidate who narrowly misses one window is not waiting a full year for the next chance; the following session usually falls within the same calendar year. Planning your revision around the correct session is the single most useful thing you can do early.
The exact opening and closing dates for each stage change from cycle to cycle. Treat the pattern described here as the stable structure and always confirm the live dates on the official NBEMS portal at natboard.edu.in.
The typical stages of one session
Each FMGE session moves through a predictable set of steps. Knowing the order helps you avoid missing a deadline.
- **Notification:** NBEMS publishes an information bulletin for the session. This document sets out eligibility, the application window, and the tentative examination date.
- **Application:** Candidates register and submit the online application form within the stated window on the official portal. Details entered here, such as name and category, must match your documents.
- **Admit card:** Once processing is complete, NBEMS releases the admit card, which carries your examination centre, reporting time and instructions. Download and print it from the portal.
- **Examination:** The computer-based test is conducted on the scheduled day. Both papers of 150 questions each are taken on the same day.
- **Result:** After the exam, NBEMS declares the result on the official portal, where candidates check their qualifying status by logging in.
The time gaps between these stages vary by session, so check each stage as it opens rather than assuming the previous cycle's timing.
Understanding the exam format
The FMGE is a single-day computer-based test. It contains 300 multiple-choice questions arranged in two papers of 150 questions each. To qualify, a candidate must score at least 50 percent, which works out to 150 correct out of 300. There is no negative marking, so an unanswered question and a wrong question carry the same zero, and it is always worth attempting every item.
This structure is stable across sessions. What changes between cycles is the calendar, not the pattern of 300 questions in two papers with a 50 percent bar.
Key facts at a glance
The FMGE is conducted by NBEMS twice a year, giving Indian medical graduates from overseas colleges two chances within a calendar year to qualify. Each session is a computer-based test of 300 multiple-choice questions, split into two papers of 150 questions each, taken on the same day. The qualifying mark is 50 percent, meaning 150 correct answers out of 300, and there is no negative marking, so every question is worth attempting. A full session runs through five stages: notification, application, admit card, examination and result. The mid-year and end-of-year windows each repeat this cycle. Specific dates, fees and deadlines change every cycle and are published only on the official NBEMS portal. Candidates should confirm the current schedule and their status at natboard.edu.in rather than relying on dates from an earlier session.
How to track the official schedule
The reliable way to stay current is to check the source directly. Visit natboard.edu.in and look for the FMGE section, where NBEMS posts the information bulletin and stage-wise dates for the active session. Read the bulletin in full when it appears, because it is the authoritative statement of eligibility and timing for that cycle.
Set your own reminders around three moments: the opening of the application window, the release of the admit card, and the declaration of the result. Log in to the candidate portal to complete each step rather than acting on second-hand information from forums or social media.
Using your preparation time well between sessions is just as important as tracking dates. MedNext Academy offers over 50,000 practice MCQs across 19 subjects and 410 chapters, so you can build steady, exam-style practice while you wait for the next window to open.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times a year is the FMGE held?
The FMGE is conducted by NBEMS twice a year, usually one mid-year session and one end-of-year session. This gives candidates two chances within a calendar year. Confirm the current schedule on the official portal at natboard.edu.in.
What is the FMGE exam pattern?
The FMGE is a computer-based test of 300 multiple-choice questions, arranged in two papers of 150 questions each and taken on the same day. There is no negative marking, so it is worth attempting every question.
What is the passing mark for the FMGE?
The qualifying mark is 50 percent, which means scoring at least 150 correct answers out of 300. Because there is no negative marking, wrong answers do not reduce your total score.
What are the stages of one FMGE session?
Each session runs through notification, application, admit card, examination and result. NBEMS publishes an information bulletin for the session, then opens the application window, releases admit cards, conducts the exam and declares the result on natboard.edu.in.
Where can I find the current FMGE dates?
The current dates are published only on the official NBEMS portal at natboard.edu.in. Dates, fees and deadlines change each cycle, so check the FMGE information bulletin for the active session rather than relying on an earlier schedule.
Continue reading
FMGEFMGE Previous Year Questions: Why PYQs Are Essential
FMGE previous year questions repeat concepts and themes. Learn how to use FMGE PYQs subject-wise to build a strong, exam-ready question bank.
FMGEFMGE Result: How to Check Your Scorecard and Pass Criteria
A clear process guide to checking your FMGE result on the NBEMS portal, reading your scorecard, and understanding the 50 percent pass criterion.
FMGEFMGE Syllabus and Subject-Wise Focus for Foreign Medical Graduates
A clear guide to the FMGE syllabus, its two 150-question papers, and which subjects have historically carried the most weight.
Study this on MedNext Academy
Get clinician-reviewed notes, a 50,000+ MCQ bank, and 15 study modes across all 19 subjects.
See plans