FMGE October 2026: What MBBS Abroad Graduates Need to Know

News for MBBS abroad students, 6 October 2026: an additional FMGE takes place on 31 October 2026, FMGE remains the licensing exam until NExT starts, and the 2021-22 batch is waiting for clarity on the FMGL rules.

FMGE news in short: an additional FMGE is scheduled for 31 October 2026. The NMC eligibility certificate window ran from 1 to 30 September 2026. A new NMC draft regulation keeps FMGE as the qualifying exam for foreign medical graduates until NExT comes into force.

Additional FMGE on 31 October 2026

Besides the regular sessions in June and December, an additional FMGE has been announced for 31 October 2026. For foreign medical graduates this is one more chance in the year to clear the screening test and start the internship in India sooner. The detailed application schedule for this extra session is published separately by the exam board.

NMC eligibility certificate: window from 1 to 30 September

To sit the FMGE you need an eligibility certificate from the NMC. The online window for this certificate reopened on 1 September 2026 and closed on 30 September 2026. Students who missed it should prepare their documents now for the next window: degree, transcript, internship certificate, registration in the country of study and proof of NEET qualification.

FMGE stays until NExT starts

The NMC has published a draft amendment to its registration regulations. It keeps FMGE as the exam for provisional and permanent registration of foreign medical graduates until the National Exit Test (NExT) comes into force. For students who start MBBS abroad in 2026 or 2027, this means: prepare for both formats, because NExT may apply by the time you graduate.

2021-22 batch asks for a one-time exemption

Students of the 2021-22 MBBS abroad batch, many of them affected by online teaching and transfers, have asked the NMC and the exam board for a one-time exemption from parts of the FMGL rules before the October exam. No decision has been announced so far. We will update this page when there is news.

What this means if you plan MBBS abroad now

Choose a programme that clearly meets the FMGL rules from day one. Use our NMC compliance checklist.
Avoid programmes with large online components or clinical years in another country.
Keep every document from your studies, including attendance records and internship logbooks.
Start preparing for FMGE or NExT in your third year, not after graduation.