FMGE or Foreign Medical Graduates Examination, also known as the Medical Council of India, MCI Screening Test, is a licensure examination which is conducted by the National Board of Examinations (NBE) in India for students who have completed their MBBS in a country other than India and wish to practice in India.
The Medical Council of India (MCI) introduced FMGE Screening Test in 2002 under the Screening Test Regulations 2002.
As per the FMGE regulations, MCI states the following:
An Indian citizen possessing a primary medical qualification awarded by any medical institution outside India who is desirous of getting provisional or permanent registration with the Medical Council of India or any State Medical Council on or after 15.03.2002 shall have to qualify a screening test conducted by the prescribed authority for that purpose as per the provisions of section 13 of the Act.
Provided that a person seeking permanent registration shall not have to qualify for the screening test if he/she had already qualified the same before getting his/her provisional registration.”
What is FMGE or Medical Screening Test?
FMGE or Foreign Medical Graduates Examination or the Medical Council Screening Test was introduced in 2002 as a qualifying examination for Indian students.
It was a test for obtaining medical degrees from countries other than India, which included countries like China, Nepal, Russia (Soviet Union USSR), Eastern European countries, the Philippines, and Caribbean countries.
Indian doctors holding basic medical degrees from any country have to take the MCI screening test.
General Instructions, Terms and Conditions
INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICANT CANDIDATES
Following are the instructions for MBBS students outside India applying for FMGE Test for practice in India:
1. Applicants may kindly note that appearance in FMGE does not confer any automatic rights to secure provisional or permanent registration with the Medical Council of India or any State Medical Council. The provisional or permanent registration with the Medical Council of India or any State Medical Council is subject to fulfilling the criteria as per the Indian Medical Council Act.
2. As per the current schedule the Screening Test is conducted by the National Board of Examinations in June and December every year.
3. The next session of the Screening Test shall be held on 14th December 2016, online registration for the examination must be completed by 31st October 2016 (by 23:59hrs).
4. Applications of candidates producing false or fabricated information shall not be considered and candidates may be further debarred from appearing in any future examinations conducted by NBE or Other Institutions.
5. Candidates should go through the INFORMATION BULLETIN carefully for eligibility criteria, scheme, the pattern of examination etc. before contacting NBE for any related queries. Queries about eligibility and other issues shall only be entertained if the information requested is not given in this bulletin.
6. Incomplete applications or applications not by the prescribed instructions shall not be considered and are liable to be rejected. The examination fee shall not be refunded under any circumstances.
7. Fee shall neither be carried forward to a future date nor refunded under any circumstances. Online applications and/or their acknowledgement of submission received after the due date shall not be entertained and exam fees shall not be returned in such cases. Application once submitted cannot be withdrawn.
8. Instructions in the information bulletin are liable to changes based on decisions taken by the NBE / MCI from time to time. There is no equity or any rights that are /or deemed to be arising in favour of the candidate.
9. NBE reserves its right to withdraw permission, if any, granted inadvertently to any candidate who is not eligible to appear in FMGE even though the admit card/roll number/ testing ID has been issued or name/roll number/testing ID is displayed on the website.
Please Note: Issuance of admit card only confirms your successful registration for FMGE. It does not confirm your eligibility for FMGE.
You are required to submit the prescribed documents to NBE latest by 5th December 2016 failing which your candidature for FMGE including the admit card shall stand cancelled and the candidate will not be allowed to appear in the test.
Fulfilment of the eligibility criteria is an essential requirement for any candidate to appear in the test. Issuance of admit card does not confer any automatic right to the candidate to appear in the test or declaration of result or registration with SMC/MCI.
The admit Card shall be treated as null & void in case the candidate does not fulfil the eligibility criteria prescribed as per Para-2.
10. Candidate’s eligibility is purely provisional and is subject to the fulfilment of eligibility criteria as prescribed in this information bulletin.
11. The existing schedule, pattern, policy and guidelines are for ready reference only but in no way they are or ought to be treated as representative or acknowledgement of the fact that NBE is bound to follow the same in future.
12. In case of any ambiguity in the interpretation of any of the instructions/ terms/rules/ criteria regarding the determination of eligibility/conduct of examinations/ registration of candidates/information contained herein, the interpretation of the National Board of Examinations will be final and binding.
13. Requests regarding the change in date/examination centre will not be entertained under any circumstances. Candidates are advised not to canvass for or submit such representations.
14. Absentees from the examination shall forfeit their examination fee.
15. Candidates MUST bring to the test centre the following documents. Unfair means shall be registered against the candidate submitting False/Forged documents.
a. Printed copy of Admit card with photo pasted on it.
b. Any one of the authorized photo IDs** (must be original and valid/non-expired):
i. PAN card
ii. Voter ID
iii. Passport
iv. Driving License
v. Aadhar Card (with the photograph)
**The name on the photo identification must match the name shown on the Admit card. If the name has been changed due to events such as marriage, the candidate must show the relevant document mentioned at the time of the test (Marriage Certificate/Divorcee Decree/Legal Name Change Document).
The examination test centre staff on duty is authorized to verify the identity of candidates and may take steps to verify and record the identity of candidates. Candidates are required to extend requisite cooperation.
16. Candidates should ensure before applying for the registration that they possess a primary medical qualification, which is confirmed by the concerned Indian Embassy, to be a recognized qualification for enrollment as a medical practitioner in the country in which the institution awarding the said qualification is situated. If it is found at any point in time that their primary medical qualification is not recognized, the candidature/result shall be cancelled/ deemed to be cancelled.
17. All correspondence should preferably be addressed by e-mail. The e-mail query shall be addressed only if it is not anonymous and contains the name, postal address and contact telephone number of the sender. An e-mail containing vague or general queries that are contained in the Information Bulletin shall not be entertained. Queries shall not be entertained from persons claiming themselves to be representatives/associates or officiates of the applicant candidate. The following information shall not be revealed by phone or by email:
a. Internal documentation /status.
b. Internal Decision-making process of the National Board of Examinations
c. Any claim /counterclaim thereof.
d. Dates & venue of internal meetings or name of the staff/officers dealing.
e. Any information in the view of NBE cannot be revealed.
18. In any case of any dispute of interpretation in a bilingual version; the English version of the bulletin shall be applied and followed.
19. FMGE shall be conducted by NBE at various exam centres engaged for the purpose. Candidates are advised to familiarize themselves with the route and location of the exam centre; location maps for all test centres are available on the website.
20. A Demo Test is available for the benefit of candidates to familiarize themselves with the Computer Based Test format on the website for FMGE. Applicants will be able to access the Demo test from 1st November 2016 inwards upon entering their confirmation ID (issued upon successful completion of the registration & scheduling process).
21. As per Non-Disclosure Agreement FMGE is a proprietary examination and is conducted only by the National Board of Examinations. The contents of this test are confidential, and proprietary and are owned by the National Board of Examinations.
NBE explicitly prohibits the candidate from publishing, reproducing or transmitting any or some contents of this test, in whole or in part, in any form or by any means verbal or written, electronic or mechanical or for any purpose.
No content of this test must be shared with friends, acquaintances or third parties including sharing through online means or via social media.
Social media includes but is not limited to SMS, WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Hangouts, Blogs etc. using either one’s account or proxy account(s). Violation of any act or breach of the same shall be liable for penal action and cancellation of the candidature at the bare threshold.
22. Possession/Use of mobile phones/Electronic devices are strictly prohibited on the premises of NBE Examination Centers. Candidates shall be liable for penal action for Possession/ Use of Mobile phones/ Electronic devices.
23. The jurisdiction for court cases/disputes shall be within the exclusive jurisdiction of competent courts at Delhi/New Delhi only.
24. Instructions in the booklet are liable to change based on decisions taken by the Government / Medical Council / Competent Authority / Court decisions from time to time. Applicants are required to refer to the latest bulletin or corrigendum that may be issued to incorporate these changes.
25. Online registration for the FMGE Screening test must be completed by 31st October 2016 (23:59 hrs.).
26. No Queries of the Guardians/Parents will be entertained on the telephone about the eligibility and disclosures of the results.
27. Applicants, for eligibility criteria or any such query, should go through the bulletin carefully before writing to the NBE office.
28. Submission of incomplete online applications or applications not by instructions will not be considered and the candidates will be declared ineligible. In such cases, the entire fee will be forfeited.
29. Applicants are required to submit all the requisite annexures with a copy of the acknowledgement e-mail received after successful online registration; lack of relevant annexure shall lead to cancellation of the application form and the entire fees will be forfeited.
30. Applicants should have passed the Primary Medical Qualification i.e. MBBS or Equivalent degree on/before 30th November 2016 and must submit proof of passing the same. In absence of Proof of Passing primary medical qualification on/before the cutoff date, the application shall be treated as incomplete and fees will be forfeited and candidature shall be cancelled.
31. The foreign medical degrees should be attested either by the Embassy of India or should be Apostilled by the appropriate authority of the foreign country. A copy of the same should also be submitted.
Kindly note that the apostille/attestation is to be as per the screening test regulations (amendment) dated 25th June 2015. For details regarding Apostilled documents, candidates may refer to the website of the Ministry of External Affairs.
32. Applicants are advised to fill in their mobile/phone number, postal and email address correctly.
33. Fees once paid will neither be carried forward to a future date nor be refunded under any circumstances. The fee should be remitted through a payment gateway provided using a Credit Card or a Debit Card issued by banks in India or through Net Banking.
34. Applications of applicants producing false or fabricated records will not be considered and such applicants will be further debarred from appearing in the future examinations of NBE. Action, as deemed appropriate by NBE, will be taken if false or fabricated records/ information is submitted or any unfair means are used.
35. Notifications, regulations etc. issued by the Government of India, and the Medical Council of India may be referred for eligibility criteria, pattern, and schedule of exam.
36. There is no provision for re-totalling/re-evaluation.
Eligibility Criteria
The Medical Council of India (MCI) states the following Eligibility Criteria for FMGE or Foreign Medical Graduates Examination or the Medical Council Screening Test:
No person shall be allowed to appear in the screening test unless:
1. he/she is a citizen of India and possesses any primary medical qualification, either whose name and the institution awarding it are included in the World Directory of Medical Schools, published by the World Health Organization; or which is confirmed by the Indian Embassy concerned to be a recognized qualification for enrollment as a medical practitioner in the country in which the institution awarding the said qualification is situated;
2. he/she had obtained an ‘Eligibility Certificate’ from the Medical Council of India as per the ‘Eligibility Requirement for taking admission in an undergraduate medical course in a Foreign Medical Institution Regulations, 2002’. This requirement shall not be necessary concerning Indian citizens who have acquired medical qualifications from foreign medical institutions or have obtained admission to foreign medical institutions before 15th March 2002.
It can be described as:
The Applicant must meet/fulfil the following criteria:
1. He/She is a citizen of India or an Overseas Citizen of India.
2. The candidate should possess a primary medical qualification, which is confirmed by the Indian Embassy concerned, to be a recognized qualification for enrollment as a medical practitioner in the country in which the institution awarding the said qualification is situated.
3. Cut-off date for obtaining the Primary Medical Qualification is on or before 30th November 2016. It is mandatory to provide proof/documentary evidence in support of the candidate having passed the final examination for such a primary medical qualification/possessing the primary medical qualification on or before the cut-off date. In the event of the date of issue of result/proof of primary medical qualification being after the prescribed cutoff date, the application form shall be rejected and the candidate declared ineligible.
4. Candidate seeking provisional or permanent registration shall not have to qualify for the Screening Test if he/she holds an Under Graduate medical qualification from Australia/ Canada/New Zealand/United Kingdom/United States of America and the holder thereof has also been awarded a Post Graduate medical qualification in Australia/Canada/ New Zealand/ United Kingdom/United States of America and has been recognized for enrollment as a medical practitioner in that country.
5. Applicants/Candidates may also refer to Screening Test Regulations Regulations on Graduate Medical Education, and Eligibility Certificate Regulations issued by the Medical Council of India. The same may be referred to at www.mciindia.org or obtained from the Secretary, Medical Council of India, Sector-8 Pocket-14, Dwarka, New Delhi. Telephone: 25367033, 25367035, Fax: 25367024.
Scheme of Examination
MCI has explained the Scheme of Examination for the FMGE Screening Test in the following pattern:
1. The test consists of one paper, comprising 300 multiple choices, single correct response questions in English language only, delivered in two parts to be taken in a single day.
2. The examination shall be a multiple choice questions test delivered using a computer network as per the prescribed scheme.
3. Negative Marking: There shall be no negative marking.
4. Allocation of time for the FMGE shall be as follows:
Note: FMGE is divided into two parts of 150 questions each with a time allocation of 150 minutes for each part. There is a scheduled break between the two parts.
Candidates are required to report at the ‘Reporting Counter’ at 9:00 AM for Part One and 2:15 PM for Part Two (one hour before the start time). The reporting counter will close 30 minutes before the test starts time. A candidate who fails to report to the reporting counter by the stipulated time as indicated above shall not be allowed to test.
5. The screening test is held twice a year in June and December, the exact dates for the Screening Test will be announced on the website before the respective registration window.
6. An applicant shall be declared as having passed only if he/she obtains a minimum of 150 marks out of 300 in the examination.
7. Results (Pass/Fail) for eligible candidates will be displayed on the NBE website and at the NBE office.
8. There are no restrictions on the number of attempts that can be availed by an applicant.
9. FMGE (SCREENING TEST) BLUEPRINT
a. PRE & PARA CLINICAL SUBJECTS: 100 MARKS
i) ANATOMY – 17 Questions
ii) PHYSIOLOGY – 17 Questions
iii) BIOCHEMISTRY – 17 Questions
iv) PATHOLOGY – 13 Questions
v) MICROBIOLOGY – 13 Questions
vi) PHARMACOLOGY – 13 Questions
vii) FORENSIC MEDICINE- 10 Questions
b. CLINICAL SUBJECTS: 200 MARKS
i) MEDICINE & ALLIED SUBJECTS
1) MEDICINE – 33 Questions
2) PSYCHIATRY – 05 Questions
3) DERMATOLOGY & STD – 05 Questions
4) RADIOTHERAPY – 05 Questions
ii) GENERAL SURGERY & ALLIED SUBJECTS
1) GENERAL SURGERY – 32 Questions
2) ANESTHESIOLOGY – 05 Questions
3) ORTHOPEDICS – 05 Questions
4) RADIODIAGNOSIS – 05 Questions
iii) PEDIATRICS – 15 Questions
iv) OPHTHALMOLOGY – 15 Questions
v) OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGY – 15 Questions
vi) OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY – 30 Questions
vii) COMMUNITY MEDICINE – 30 Questions
Cost or Fees of FMGE Test
The amount/cost or fees for the Foreign Medical Graduates Examination has been stated as follows by the Medical Council of India:
1. Amount
FMGE Exam – Rs. 5500/-
The above fee is inclusive of examination fees and information bulletin. Please note that Information Bulletin will not be sold separately. Information Bulletin shall be available on the website for reference.
2. How to Pay?
The prescribed registration fee should be remitted through the payment gateway provided using a Credit Card or a Debit Card issued by banks of India or through Net Banking.
3. Candidates remaining absent from the examination will forfeit their examination fee. Candidates are advised to read the rule position carefully and satisfy the terms and conditions for the fulfilment of eligibility criteria before proceeding with the payment of fees.
4. FEES SHALL NEITHER BE REFUNDED NOR CARRIED FORWARD IF THE APPLICATION FOR FMGE IS REJECTED/THE CANDIDATURE IS FOUND TO BE INELIGIBLE.
Schedule for FMGE Test
REGISTRATION FOR EXAMINATION, ADMIT CARD AND DEMO TEST
The candidates need to know the following information regarding the registration for FMGE Test or Screening Test:
1. The examination shall be conducted on 14th December 2016.
2. Candidates have the option of choosing their examination centre through the online registration and scheduling system. Availability is on a first-come, first-serve bases, and candidates will only be shown options that are available at the point of scheduling.
3. REQUESTS FOR CHANGE OF CENTER ARE NOT ENTERTAINED once the candidate schedules his/her examination. Candidates are advised not to canvass for the same.
4. At the end of the Registration & Scheduling process the applicant will get a computer-generated acknowledgement at the registered email ID of the applicant. Admit cards will be issued to candidates once the registration and scheduling process is completed.
5. Candidate is required to print a copy of admit card and affix the latest passport-size photograph of the following specifications on the admit card. The candidate is required to bring the admit card to the Test centre along with an identification document as per the para below.
6. Specifications for Photograph –
>A photograph of a minimum of 35×45 mm with at least 75% coverage of the face & head of the candidate.
>A caption indicating the name of the candidate and the date of taking the photograph should be there at the bottom of the photo
> Photographs should be taken on a white /very light-coloured background.
>The photograph needs to display a full front view of the face. Please look directly into the camera with a neutral expression.
>Please avoid photographs with reflection or shadow on the face with red eyes.
>The photograph needs to be printed on high-quality paper with at least 600 dpi resolution.
>The colours must possess a natural appearance and skin tone.
>The photograph must not have kinks, scratches and stains.
7. Candidates MUST bring to the test centre the following documents:
a. Printed copy of Admit card with photo pasted on it.
b. Any one of the authorized photo IDs** (must be original and valid/non-expired):
i. PAN card
ii. Voter ID
iii. Passport
iv. Driving License
v. Aadhar Card(with photograph)
**The name on the photo identification must match the name shown on the Admit card. If the name has been changed due to events such as marriage, the candidate must show the relevant document mentioned at the time of the test (Marriage Certificate/Divorcee Decree/Legal Name Change Document).
8. Candidates may kindly note that they have to report on time as indicated in the admit card and para 4.4 of the formation Bulletin. Candidates reporting late or beyond the prescribed time shall not be allowed to appear in the test. Please note that: Issuance of admit card only confirms your successful registration for FMGE. It does not confirm your eligibility for FMGE. You are required to submit the prescribed documents to NBE latest by 5th December 2016 failing which your candidature for FMGE including the admit card shall stand cancelled and the candidate will not be allowed to appear in the test. Fulfilment of the eligibility criteria is an essential requirement for any candidate to appear in the test. Issuance of admit card does not confer any automatic right to the candidate to appear in the test or declaration of result or registration with SMC/MCI. The admit Card shall be treated as null & void in case the candidate does not fulfil the eligibility criteria prescribed as per Para-2
9. A Demo test to provide candidates with the feel and functionality of the actual test will be available on the FMGE website from 1st November 2016 onward. Candidates registered for FMGE can undertake the Demo Test before the actual test window. Candidates are advised to go through the Demo Test carefully to familiarize themselves with the screens, layout and navigation.
Reporting for FMGE Test
Candidates may note that the reporting time refers to the time at which the candidate reaches the Reporting counter at the test centre. A candidate who fails to report to the reporting counter by the stipulated time as indicated in para 4.4 shall not be allowed to enter the examination premises at the Reporting counter and beyond. The candidate should arrive at the Reporting counter at least one hour before the commencement of the test. This allows for security checks, identity verification, image capture, bio-metric capture etc. The reporting counter will close 30 minutes before the test starts time. The following shall be undertaken upon reporting at the counter:
1. ID verification – The original documents as have been indicated will be checked in the original.
2. Security Checks including frisking.
3. Capture of fingerprints – The fingerprints of all candidates shall be captured electronically and candidates are requested to cooperate with the on-duty staff with this process.
4. Capturing of digital image – As a security measure the digital image of the reporting candidates shall be captured and taken on record.
5. The test centre administrator /on-duty staff shall guide the candidate to the assigned workstation.
6. Signing in to the computer system:
i) Kindly note that the reporting time has been indicated to timely complete the foregoing activities as well as to familiarize the candidate with the process.
ii) Candidates may note that they will not be allowed entry to the test centre after 09.30 am for the test for the morning session and after 2.45 PM for the afternoon session.
iii) Candidates are also advised to check the requirement for mandatory documents on Testing Day and comply with the same.
iv) NBE/ Test centre / Designated Agency /Staff on duty shall not be liable under any circumstances for delayed reporting and /or non-presentation of mandatory documents.
7. Please note the test day proceeding may be video recorded.
Admit Card for FMGE
At the end of Registration & Scheduling the applicant will get a computer-generated acknowledgement at the registered e-mail ID of the applicant. Admit cards will be issued to candidates once the registration and scheduling process is completed. The candidate is required to print a copy of admit card and affix the latest passport-size photograph of the following specifications on the admit card. The candidate is required to bring the admit card to the Test centre along with an identification document as per the para below.
Specifications for Photograph
>A photograph of a minimum of 35×45 mm with at least 75% coverage of the face & head of the candidate.
>A caption indicating the name of the candidate and the date of taking the photograph should be there at the bottom of the photo.
> Photographs should be taken on a white /very light-coloured background.
>The photograph needs to display a full front view of the face. Please look directly into the camera with a neutral expression.
>Please avoid photographs with reflection or shadow on the face with red eyes.
>The photograph needs to be printed on high-quality paper with at least 600 dpi resolution.
>The colours must possess a natural appearance and skin tone.
>The photograph must not have kinks, scratches and stains.
Candidates may kindly note that they have to report by the time indicated in the admit card and para 4.4 of the Information Bulletin. Candidates reporting late or beyond the prescribed time shall not be allowed to appear in the exam.