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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.
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.
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.
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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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.
On Question asked by student community
If the FMGE exam centre location is different in SMS and email, don't rely on either.
• The final and correct exam centre will be mentioned only on the FMGE Admit Card.
• SMS / email are just city intimation and may have error.
• Wait for the admit card
The FMGE (Foreign Medical Graduate Examination) previous year question papers (PYQs) are a vital resource for aspirants preparing for the upcoming January 17, 2026, session. Since the exam is conducted online (CBT), official papers are not released; however, memory-based "recall" papers from the June 2025, 2024, and 2023 sessions provide
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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
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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:
Write an application to NBE explaining the mistake clearly.
Mention your name, roll number, exam session, and the
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
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Want to study abroad? Plan your Journey
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