FMGE
FMGE 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.
MedNext Editorial Team | Jul 18, 2026 | 9 min read
FMGE 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.
The FMGE syllabus is based on the Indian MBBS curriculum and covers pre-clinical, para-clinical and clinical subjects. The exam has two papers, Part A and Part B, of 150 questions each, for a total of 300 multiple-choice questions. Clinical subjects and Community Medicine have historically carried substantial weight.
What the FMGE tests
The Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) is a screening test for Indian citizens and Overseas Citizens of India who hold a primary medical qualification from a medical institution outside India. Passing it is a requirement before such graduates can register and practise medicine in India. The examination is conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS).
The syllabus mirrors the subjects taught across the Indian MBBS course. This means a foreign medical graduate is assessed on the same broad knowledge base that an Indian MBBS student is expected to master, spanning the pre-clinical, para-clinical and clinical phases of training.
Exam structure and marking
The FMGE is delivered as 300 multiple-choice questions, split across two papers:
- **Part A**: 150 questions
- **Part B**: 150 questions
To pass, a candidate must score at least 50 percent, which is 150 marks out of 300. There is no negative marking, so every question is worth attempting even when you are unsure. Because there is no penalty for a wrong answer, leaving a question blank only removes a chance to score.
For the exact number of papers, timing, question distribution and any changes to the pattern in a given cycle, always defer to the official NBEMS information bulletin on natboard.edu.in.
The subjects covered
The FMGE syllabus follows the three-phase MBBS structure. A useful way to group the subjects is:
Pre-clinical subjects
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Biochemistry
These lay the foundation and still appear in the exam, so they cannot be skipped, but they usually form a smaller share of questions than the clinical subjects.
Para-clinical subjects
- Pathology
- Pharmacology
- Microbiology
- Forensic Medicine and Toxicology
Pathology, Pharmacology and Microbiology are consistently high-yield. They link basic science to clinical reasoning and reward candidates who understand mechanisms rather than memorise in isolation.
Clinical subjects
- General Medicine
- General Surgery
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Paediatrics
- Community Medicine (Preventive and Social Medicine)
- Ophthalmology
- Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)
- Orthopaedics
- Psychiatry
- Dermatology
- Anaesthesiology
- Radiology
The major clinical subjects, Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Paediatrics, together with Community Medicine, have historically carried a large portion of the paper.
Subject-wise focus
While you should treat the whole syllabus as examinable, experience across past cycles suggests where to concentrate revision. Describe this as focus, not as a fixed formula, because the exact composition can vary from one exam to the next.
The historically high-yield areas include:
- **Medicine and Surgery**: broad clinical scope and strong overlap with other subjects, so time spent here pays off widely.
- **Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and Paediatrics**: dense, examinable subjects with well-defined topics.
- **Community Medicine**: consistently rewards candidates, often with direct, factual questions on epidemiology, national health programmes and biostatistics.
- **Pharmacology, Pathology and Microbiology**: para-clinical pillars that connect basic science to diagnosis and treatment.
The pre-clinical subjects and the smaller clinical specialities still contribute questions. A sound plan covers them for accuracy on the questions they do carry, without letting them consume the time the high-yield subjects deserve.
For the authoritative subject list and any weightage the board chooses to publish, rely on the official NBEMS information bulletin rather than unofficial estimates.
How to plan your preparation
A workable approach for a foreign medical graduate is to build a base in the para-clinical subjects, because they bridge into clinical reasoning, and then give the largest share of time to the major clinical subjects and Community Medicine. Regular multiple-choice practice matters, since the FMGE is entirely question-based and rewards familiarity with how topics are framed.
MedNext Academy supports this with over 50,000 practice MCQs, 410 chapters across 19 subjects and a pharmacology reference of over 1,800 drugs, all clinician-written, so you can practise by subject and revise weak areas efficiently.
Key facts at a glance
The FMGE is a screening examination conducted by NBEMS for foreign medical graduates who wish to register and practise in India. Its syllabus is drawn from the Indian MBBS curriculum and covers pre-clinical subjects (Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry), para-clinical subjects (Pathology, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Forensic Medicine) and clinical subjects (Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Community Medicine and several specialities). The exam has two papers, Part A and Part B, of 150 questions each, for 300 multiple-choice questions in total. The pass mark is 50 percent, which is 150 out of 300, and there is no negative marking. Clinical subjects and Community Medicine, along with Pharmacology, Pathology and Microbiology, have historically been high-yield. For exact pattern, subject weightage and eligibility, always check the official NBEMS bulletin.
Frequently Asked Questions
What subjects are in the FMGE syllabus?
The FMGE syllabus is based on the Indian MBBS curriculum. It covers pre-clinical subjects (Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry), para-clinical subjects (Pathology, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Forensic Medicine) and clinical subjects (Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Community Medicine, and specialities such as ENT, Ophthalmology, Orthopaedics, Psychiatry and Dermatology). For the authoritative list, check the NBEMS bulletin on natboard.edu.in.
How many questions and papers does the FMGE have?
The FMGE has 300 multiple-choice questions split into two papers, Part A and Part B, of 150 questions each. There is no negative marking. For the timing and any pattern changes in a given cycle, refer to the official NBEMS information bulletin.
What is the passing mark for the FMGE?
A candidate must score at least 50 percent to pass, which is 150 marks out of 300. Because there is no negative marking, attempting every question is generally advisable. Confirm the current pass criteria on the official NBEMS portal before your exam.
Which subjects are most important for the FMGE?
The major clinical subjects, Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Paediatrics, together with Community Medicine, have historically carried substantial weight, alongside Pharmacology, Pathology and Microbiology. Treat these as high-yield focus areas, but cover the full syllabus, and defer exact weightage to the NBEMS bulletin.
Where can I find the official FMGE syllabus and exam pattern?
The official FMGE syllabus, exam pattern, eligibility rules and information bulletin are published by NBEMS on natboard.edu.in. Because details can change between cycles, always check the current bulletin on the official portal rather than relying on unofficial summaries.
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