FMGE Controversy: NBEMS to examine complaints, review CCTV footage and test centre reports

Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs), doctors and faculty members staged a peaceful protest outside the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) office and at Jantar Mantar on July 10. Key demands were greater transparency in the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) process and relief for candidates who appeared in unusually difficult June 2026 examination.

The demonstration, led by the All India Medical Students' Association-Foreign Medical Students Wing (AIMSA-FMSW) and the Association of Foreign Medical Graduates (AFA), came days after the declaration of FMGE June 2026 results. FMGE June session recorded one of the lowest pass percentages in recent years. Protesters claimed that this was due to sharp increase in examination's difficulty level, coupled with poor infrastructure and inadequate facilities at several examination centres, which allegedly affected candidates' performance.

In a press statement issued after the protest, the association said they had sought transparency in the examination process, accountability for the issues reported at test centres and a one-time reduction in the qualifying marks considering the "extraordinary circumstances" surrounding the examination.

"We demanded transparency in the FMGE examination process, accountability for the issues faced by candidates, and a one-time reduction in the qualifying marks considering the exceptional circumstances. We also strongly raised concerns regarding the poor facilities provided at various examination centres," the association said.

Three-member committee

According to the association, NBEMS informed the delegation that it would constitute a three-member committee to examine complaints related to the examination. The board also reportedly said it would coordinate with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), review CCTV footage and reports from examination centres. NBEMS said it would take steps to ensure similar issues do not recur in future FMGE sessions.

However, on the demand for a one-time reduction in qualifying marks, the association claimed NBEMS said such a decision was beyond its authority and could only be taken by the Supreme Court.

The association also renewed their demand for the release of the FMGE question paper and answer key, arguing that greater transparency would strengthen candidates' confidence in the evaluation process. "We reiterate our demand for greater transparency in the FMGE process, including the release of the question paper and answer key, so that candidates can have confidence in the evaluation process and their results," the statement said.

The All India Medical Students' Association–Foreign Medical Students' Wing (AIMSA-FMSW) submitted a representation to the President of the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), seeking urgent consideration of the qualifying criteria. A part of the letter reads, "The FMGE is intended to function as a screening examination to assess the minimum competency required for safe medical practice in India. However, this session's paper was perceived to be considerably more difficult than previous FMGE examinations and, according to widespread feedback, even more challenging than highly competitive entrance examinations such as NEET-PG and INI-CET. Such a drastic departure from the established standard undermines the fundamental objective of a screening test."

Reduction in pass rate

The protest also received support from several doctors on social media. In a post on X, one doctor criticised NBEMS' response to the protest and alleged that nearly 88 per cent of candidates had failed due to poor examination facilities and frequent changes in the examination pattern. The doctor urged authorities to show justice with the pattern of the examination if FMGE is intended to remain a screening test.

Another doctor, Dr. Sumer Sethi, argued that the fixed 50 per cent qualifying mark should be reconsidered. "When a paper is exceptionally hard, there is merit in reducing the pass marks as a one-off gesture. That is not lowering the bar. That is fairness," he wrote on X. He further added that unusually high failure rates may reflect the difficulty of the paper more than the abilities of candidates.

However, some doctors and social media users opposed the demand arguing that if the examination was unusually difficult, the paper-setting process should be reviewed rather than lowering qualifying marks.