Geetansh · April 7, 2026 
Introduction: Why Do FMGE Pass Percentage Matter So Much?
Picture this: you have spent five or six years studying medicine abroad, worked hard through tough clinical rotations, and returned to India full of ambition. But standing between you and your medical licence is one of the most challenging screening tests in the country – the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE).
The FMGE, conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), is the mandatory licensing gateway for Indian citizens and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) who hold a foreign medical degree. A candidate must score at least 150 out of 300 marks to qualify. Sounds straightforward — but the numbers tell a very different story.
Over the past five years, FMGE passing rates have swung dramatically, from lows of around 10% to highs of nearly 40%. Understanding these fluctuations is not just an academic exercise. It directly shapes how you should prepare, which country you should choose for your MBBS, and when you should attempt the exam.
Let’s break it all down.
FMGE Pass Percentage Data: 2021 to 2025 at a Glance
The exam is held twice every year — in June and December. Historically, the December session consistently produces higher pass rates than the June session. Here is the session-wise data based on results declared by NBEMS on its official portal at natboard.edu.in:
| Session | Pass Percentage |
| June 2021 | 23.71% |
| December 2021 | 23.61% |
| June 2022 | 10.61% |
| December 2022 | 30.83% |
| June 2023 | 10.22% |
| December 2023 | ~23% |
| June 2024 | 20.89% |
| December 2024 | 29.62% |
| June 2025 | 18.61% |
| December 2025 | 23.9% |
Source: NBEMS official results portal — natboard.edu.in
The pattern is striking. The December session has consistently produced better results than the June session — a trend that has held firm across the entire five-year window. Pass rates peaked at nearly 39–40% in late 2022 before retreating in subsequent years.
Have Any Doubts?
Year-by-Year FMGE Exam Analysis: What Really Happened?
2021 — A Year of Relative Stability
2021 was a relatively balanced year by FMGE standards. Both sessions hovered closely around 23%, at 23.71% in June and 23.61% in December. This stability was notable given that the COVID-19 pandemic had severely disrupted medical education globally, cutting short clinical rotations and shifting learning online for many foreign medical graduates.
2022 — The Year of Extreme Swings
2022 was a tale of two sessions. The June sitting saw the pass rate crash to just 10.61%, while the December session rebounded sharply to 30.83%. Despite the overall improvement in December, NBEMS data also revealed that no Indian student from as many as 90 foreign medical colleges could clear the exam that year — a sobering reminder that institutional quality plays a major role in outcomes. On the flip side, candidates from 22 foreign medical colleges achieved a 100% pass rate.
2023 — The Toughest Year for NMC Screening Test Results
June 2023 recorded one of the lowest pass rates of the entire decade, at just 10.22%. For the full year 2023, a total of 38,355 candidates appeared for the exam, of whom 30,046 failed and only 8,309 passed — an annual average of around 22–23%. The increasing shift toward clinical, case-based questions is widely regarded as one of the primary reasons behind this dip.
2024 — Signs of Recovery
2024 brought some welcome relief. The June 2024 session recorded 20.89%, while the December 2024 session climbed to 29.62%. In that December session alone, 44,392 applicants appeared, of whom 13,149 qualified. This was one of the strongest December performances in three consecutive years — a sign that candidates were preparing more strategically and aligning better with the evolving exam pattern.
2025 — A Step Back Again
2025 brought mixed signals. In the June 2025 session, 36,039 students appeared, 6,707 passed, and 29,327 failed — a pass rate of 18.61%. The December 2025 session saw 23.9% of students qualify. The June 2025 drop suggests the exam is once again returning to a more rigorous, clinically focused standard.
What’s Driving These Fluctuations in the Indian Medical Licensing Exam?
Quality of Education Abroad Matters
Not all foreign MBBS degrees are created equal. Countries whose medical curricula align more closely with Indian clinical standards tend to produce candidates who perform better in the NMC screening test. Students from institutions with strong English-medium instruction, structured curricula, and adequate clinical exposure consistently outperform those from colleges where these elements are weaker.
The June vs December Pattern
The December gap is consistent and significant across all five years. Candidates who appear in December have had more time to prepare after completing their degree. They also benefit from insights shared by peers who attempted the June session. If you have a choice, December is statistically the better session to attempt.
The Shift Toward Clinical, Integrated Questions
Recent FMGE papers have moved away from straightforward one-liner factual questions toward an integrated learning approach. This means candidates must apply knowledge across subjects — for example, using Pathology and Pharmacology to solve a Medicine case scenario. Rote learning alone is no longer sufficient, which has raised the bar significantly for those without strong clinical training.
Growing Candidate Numbers
The number of students appearing for the FMGE has grown steadily – from roughly 22,000–30,000 per session in 2021 to over 36,000–44,000 in 2024–2025. This reflects the rising popularity of pursuing MBBS abroad. However, a larger candidate pool does not automatically translate into better pass rates, especially if institutional quality varies widely across sending countries.
How Career Plan B Helps
Navigating the FMGE journey — from choosing the right country for your MBBS to building a focused preparation strategy — requires more than hard work alone.
At Career Plan B, we offer Personalised Career Counselling to help you evaluate your options clearly before and after studying abroad.
Our Career Assessment Tests and Psycheintel tools identify your strengths, while our Career Roadmapping service helps you build a step-by-step plan toward clearing the FMGE and establishing your medical career in India.
For Latest Information
FMGE Preparation Tips: How to Beat the Odds
Given that over 75% of candidates fail in some sessions, your preparation strategy is everything. Here is what consistently works:
- Start early: Begin FMGE-focused revision during your final year of MBBS abroad – not after you return to India.
- Prioritise high-weightage subjects: Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynaecology together carry significant marks. Master these first.
- Solve past papers and mock tests regularly: Memory-based recall papers from recent sessions are invaluable for understanding the question pattern.
- Target the December session: Give yourself maximum preparation time after completing your degree before you attempt the exam.
- Focus on clinical scenarios: Understand how diseases present and how treatments are applied in real settings. The exam rewards applied knowledge over memorised facts.
- Track official updates: Always check NBEMS’s official portal at natboard.edu.in for the latest notifications, admit cards, results, and syllabus changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the average FMGE passing rate over the past five years?
The average pass rate has hovered between 18% and 30% depending on the session. December sessions consistently perform better than June sessions. The five-year average across all sessions is roughly 21–23%.
Q2. Which session is better to attempt — June or December?
Statistically, December is the better session. Pass rates in December have been consistently higher across all five years from 2021 to 2025. Candidates have more preparation time after completing their MBBS, which reflects clearly in results.
Q3. Which countries tend to produce better FMGE pass rates?
Countries whose medical curricula align closely with Indian clinical standards tend to produce stronger performers. Institutions offering English-medium instruction and adequate clinical exposure give students a meaningful advantage in the exam.
Q4. Is the FMGE being replaced by NExT?
Yes, the National Exit Test (NExT) is expected to replace the FMGE in the future. Unlike the FMGE, NExT will be a common exit test for both Indian and foreign medical graduates. Candidates should monitor official announcements directly on the NBEMS portal at natboard.edu.in for confirmed dates and eligibility criteria.
Q5. How many attempts are allowed for the FMGE?
There is currently no limit on the number of attempts. Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria can appear for the exam as many times as needed, in both June and December sessions each year.
Q6. Where can I check official FMGE results and notifications?
All official results, admit cards, information bulletins, and notices are published by NBEMS on their official portal: https://natboard.edu.in/viewnbeexam?exam=fmge
Conclusion: What the Numbers Are Telling You
The five-year FMGE pass rate data from 2021 to 2025 delivers one clear message: this exam is genuinely hard, and consistent, strategic preparation is the only reliable path through it.
Pass rates rarely cross 30%, even in the best sessions. The majority of candidates — sometimes up to 80% in a single sitting — do not qualify. That is not a reason to despair. It is a reason to plan smarter.
Whether you are still choosing where to pursue your MBBS abroad, currently studying overseas, or actively preparing to sit the exam, understanding these trends gives you a real strategic edge. Choose your institution wisely. Start your FMGE preparation early. Target the December session. Focus on clinical knowledge over rote memorisation.
Your medical career in India is achievable, but it rewards those who treat the FMGE with the seriousness it deserves.
Ready to build a personalised plan for your FMGE journey? Connect with Career Plan B today and take the first step toward your medical licence in India.
