3 weeks ago
Centre Defends FMGE June 2026 Exam, Rejects Pattern Change Claims
Every year, doctors who studied in other countries take a big test in India called the FMGE so they can work as doctors there.
This year, the test was held on June 28.
After the test, many students said some parts were unfair.
They said there were video questions they did not expect, the test was too hard and too long, and the answers were not released.
The government heard these complaints in a big meeting called the Lok Sabha.
The government said the video questions were not a surprise because they were shown in a practice test earlier.
It also said only 12.78 out of every 100 students passed the whole test.
But for students taking it for the first time, more than 35 out of every 100 passed.
The government said it cannot show the answer key because the test questions are kept secret to protect the question bank.
It also said test centres were checked and given coolers and drinking water because the weather was very hot.
Students also asked for 20 extra bonus marks, but the government did not agree to that.
The Centre defended the FMGE June 2026 examination in Lok Sabha, saying video-based questions were included in the official demo test and notified to candidates beforehand.
The overall pass percentage for FMGE June 2026 was 12.78%, while first-time candidates passed at a rate of more than 35%.
The government declined to release the answer key, citing Clause 9.7 of the FMGE Information Bulletin and the examination's Non-Disclosure Agreement.
NBEMS audited examination centres before the exam and provided cooling arrangements, including coolers, and drinking water amid severe heatwave conditions.
The government announced no decision on candidates' demand for 20 bonus marks, reiterating that FMGE is conducted under existing notified regulations.
- Who
- The Centre, through the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, responding to questions raised by MPs Kuldeep Indora and Zia Rehman.
- What
- The government defended the conduct of the June 2026 FMGE, rejecting allegations of surprise pattern changes, video questions, and evaluation transparency concerns.
- Where
- India, in the Lok Sabha (Parliament).
- When
- The response was given in the Lok Sabha on Friday, August 7, 2026, regarding the examination held on June 28, 2026.
- Why
- In response to FMGE candidates' complaints about video-based questions, the low pass percentage, the non-release of the answer key, and examination centre facilities during a heatwave.
FMGE Candidates' Perspective
Government / NMC Perspective
Video-based questions and exam pattern
FMGE Candidates' Perspective
Candidates raised concerns that video-based questions were a change to the examination pattern introduced without adequate notice.
Government / NMC Perspective
The Centre said video-based questions were not a surprise and had been included in the official demo test made available to candidates before the examination.
Release of answer key
FMGE Candidates' Perspective
Candidates demanded the release of the FMGE June 2026 answer key to improve transparency in the evaluation process.
Government / NMC Perspective
The government refused, citing Clause 9.7 of the FMGE Information Bulletin and the Non-Disclosure Agreement, saying public release could compromise the question bank's confidentiality.
Low pass percentage
FMGE Candidates' Perspective
Candidates questioned the low pass rate, with the parliamentary question referring to 12.40%.
Government / NMC Perspective
The government said the overall pass percentage was 12.78%, noted freshers passed at over 35%, and attributed results to candidates' education quality, knowledge, and performance rather than the paper alone.
Key facts
- Examination
- Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) June 2026
- Exam date
- June 28, 2026
- Overall pass percentage
- 12.78%
- First-time candidate pass rate
- More than 35%
- Conducting body
- National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS)
- Regulatory body
- National Medical Commission (NMC) and State Medical Councils
- Government response date
- August 7, 2026, in Lok Sabha
- Answer key status
- Not released due to confidentiality under Clause 9.7 of the FMGE Information Bulletin
Quotes
Minister of Health and Family Welfare
Government minister explaining exam format
“"NBEMS had included such questions in the official demo test available to candidates before the examination."”
freepressjournal.in
“"The Ministry said the video-based questions were not a surprise addition to the June 2026 FMGE."”
freepressjournal.in










