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Impact of NExT exam on FMGE Aspirants: Benefits, Challenges, and Timeline
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FMGE Exam Date:17 Jan' 26 - 17 Jan' 26
The National Medical Commission (NMC) is all set to introduce the National Exit Test (NExT), transforming medical education in India. The exam will replace the FMGE and the NEET PG examination, serving as a single licensure and screening test for medical practitioners from both who have obtained degrees from Indian universities and foreign universities. The transition from FMGE to NExT has been a topic of discussion among the doctors. This article explores the implication of NExT on FMGE, discussing the challenges and benefits for aspiring medical practitioners.
What is the FMGE examination?
The National Board of Examinations (NBE) conducts the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE). The FMGE serves as the licensure test for medical graduates who have obtained their degrees from foreign institutions and wish to practice medicine in India. In other words, FMGE serves as an important gateway for foreign medical graduates to register with the Medical Council of India (MCI) or State Medical Councils (SMCs). The exam is conducted twice a year in the months of June and December, requiring candidates to secure at least 50% marks to pass.
NExT exam replace the FMGE exam: A unified examination approach
The National Exit Test (NExT) is a licensure and qualifying examination introduced by the NMC which aims to replace the NEET PG and FMGE examination. Unlike the FMGE, which is conducted as a screening test for foreign medical graduates, NeXT will evaluate both Indian and foreign medical graduates uniformly. This unified approach is expected to assess all candidates in the same standards.
As per the authority, the NExT exam will be conducted in two steps, Step 1 will focus on theoretical knowledge while Step 2 will evaluate clinical skills of the doctors. Thus, NExT scores will determine eligibility of the medical practitioners for postgraduate medical admissions in India. For FMGs, this shift means they will no longer have to appear for a separate examination but must meet the same benchmarks as Indian candidates.
Impact of NExT exam on FMGE
As the NExT exam is supposed to have a unified approach, its impact on the FMGE examination can prove to be competitive. Check the possible impacts of NExT exam on FMGE from the points below.
Increase in competition: The transition to NExT exam will likely increase competition among the foreign medical graduates as they will now have to compete with the Indian medical graduates. The FMGE pass rate has been low historically and with the introduction of NExT exam, it could further raise the bar for FMGs with its two step examination process.
Challenge for foreign medical universities: The implementation of NExT exam can have a negative impact on foreign medical universities. Such institutions will need to align their studies with the requirements of NeXT to ensure their graduates are well-prepared for the examination. Universities that fail to adapt may see a decline in enrollment from Indian students.
Challenge for FMGs: With the introduction of NeXT, the NMC aims to standardize the evaluation process. Thus on the positive side, it will ensure that FMGs and Indian candidates are assessed equally. On the negative side, FMGs will need to study the Indian medical curriculum and clinical protocols to familiarize themselves, which might differ from their training abroad.
Changed examination format: FMGE focuses on theoretical knowledge while NExT includes a two-step evaluation process. Step 1 assesses theoretical understanding, while Step 2 evaluates practical and clinical skills, emphasizing holistic medical competency. This shift requires FMGs to adapt to a more comprehensive testing approach.
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What is the NExT exam implementation year?
As per the NExT exam latest update, step 1 is most likely to be implemented from August 2025 whereas step 2 will be conducted in February 2026. However, there is no official confirmation yet. The NExT aims to create a unified assessment system to ensure the competency of medical practitioners across the country.
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Questions related to FMGE
On Question asked by student community
Have a question related to FMGE ?
Hello,
If you gave your name in the FMGE 2026 form as per Aadhaar and other documents, but your passport has a different full name or surname, then there is a real chance of a name-mismatch problem.
Here is the simple picture:
1. FMGE does not allow name changes after submission.
The name you used in the application cannot be edited later.
2. Your ID proof must match the name on your FMGE application.
If the passport name and application name do not match, the exam centre can refuse entry.
This is also a common issue during document verification after the exam.
3. A mismatch in surname or full name is risky.
FMGE is very strict about name matching, so this can create a problem for you.
There is risk, but it is not hopeless. If you act now and prepare proper documents, you may be able to avoid problems during the exam or verification.
Hope it helps !
Hello,
If there is a spelling mistake in your FMGE passing certificate , you should contact the National Board of Examinations (NBE) , which issues the certificate. Here’s what you can do:
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Write an application to NBE explaining the mistake clearly.
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Mention your name, roll number, exam session, and the correct spelling.
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Attach supporting documents , such as:
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A copy of your FMGE pass certificate (with the error)
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A valid ID proof (Aadhaar, passport, etc.) showing the correct spelling
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Your MBBS degree or other educational documents for verification
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Send the documents to NBE through email or post.
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Wait for their response. NBE will verify your documents and issue a corrected certificate if the mistake is genuine.
It’s best to keep copies of all emails and documents you send.
Hope it helps !
Hello,
If you have an MBBS from Nepal and haven't passed the FMGE, you have several options for further courses abroad, including pursuing a postgraduate degree in countries like the UK, the USA, and Australia, which may not require the FMGE to practice there.
I hope it will clear your query!!
Hello nivedita bm,
For FMGE, passport is the primary form of identification, you must apply using your name exactly as it appears on your passport. If your passport does not have your surname on it and your other documents do, You might face issues during verification.
So, to avoid such problems, you can either prepare a notarized "one and the same person" affidavit linking both names, from your passport and your other documents, or update your passport with your surname to avoid any problems during your FMGE exams.
I hope this will help you.
Hello Aspirant,
Yes, your 54.6% score in the FMGE July 2025 exam is above the required 50% passing mark for the general category. This qualifies you to apply for a provisional medical license from the NMC. To be eligible for INICET and JIPMER , you must have a valid MBBS degree, complete your one-year internship, and possess an NMC registration number.
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