FMGE Protest 2026 Enters Day 7: NBEMS Signals Third Exam Amidst FMG Outcry

Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) are continuing their protest in Delhi for the seventh consecutive day on August 27, 2026, challenging the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) over the June 2026 Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) results and exam conduct. This ongoing agitation comes as the NBEMS has signaled a potential third FMGE exam in November, a move that protestors are calling ‘misleading dates’ and insufficient to address their grievances.

The protest, led by the All FMGs Association (AFA) and the Foreign Medical Students’ Wing of the All India Medical Students’ Association (AIMSA-FMSW), highlights a significantly low pass rate of 12.77% in the June 2026 session, the lowest since June 2023. Candidates are demanding accountability for alleged unfair practices, including unannounced video-based questions and format changes, while an NBEMS-appointed committee has refused grace marks for the contentious June exam.

Fmge June 2026: Low Pass Rate and Allegations of Unfair Conduct

The FMGE June 2026 session, held on June 28, 2026, saw a mere 4,635 out of 36,300 candidates clear the mandatory licensing screening test. This translates to a pass rate of approximately 12.77%, a stark contrast to the 23.9% pass rate of the immediately preceding December 2025 session (held in January 2026). Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel also reported a pass figure of 12.78% in Parliament. Protestors allege that the exam included 20 to 22 unannounced video-based questions, a format change not mentioned in the official information bulletin, contributing to the high difficulty and low success rate.

The results for the FMGE June 2026 session were declared on July 7, 2026, with scorecards released on July 16, 2026. Of the 37,448 registered candidates, 36,300 appeared, with 31,645 failing and results for 20 candidates withheld. Roughly 88% of the candidates were repeaters, while first-time takers passed at about 35%. Dr. Jaswant Singh Yadav, an FMG representative, has been on a hunger strike since August 20, underscoring the severity of the students’ demands.

Nbems Committee Recommendations and Protestors’ Demands

Following a demonstration at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on August 3, the NBEMS constituted an independent three-member committee to review the conduct and outcome of the June FMGE. While the protestors initially suspended their agitation after the committee’s formation, they resumed on August 20, alleging that NBEMS representatives failed to honor a commitment to show questions to student representatives. The committee, however, did not recommend compensatory or grace marks for the June exam.

The committee did propose significant structural changes for future FMGE sessions. These include examining the feasibility of holding the FMGE at least thrice a year, a capped difficulty mix with 30% low, 50% moderate, and 20% difficult questions, and ensuring the mean difficulty level does not exceed 5.5 and the median 5 on a scale of 1 to 10. This would mean 151 of the 300 questions would be at difficulty level 5 or below. Also, the committee recommended deferring the reintroduction of video-based questions by at least a year, providing advance information and familiarization opportunities for candidates when they are reintroduced. Other recommendations include allowing candidates to view their recorded responses and correct answers from the next exam session and reviewing the current exam fee of Rs 6,195, along with the conditions of exam centres.

Nbems’S Third Exam Proposal and Student Response

Amidst the ongoing protest, NBEMS has indicated that a third FMGE could be held this year, potentially before November 14. However, this proposal is yet to be formally approved. Protestors, including Dr. Ashish Kumar, have dismissed this as ‘misleading dates,’ arguing that it does not address the fundamental issues of the June 2026 exam’s alleged unfairness and the committee’s refusal to grant grace marks. “We are not asking them to pass us from above,” Dr. Ashish Kumar stated, emphasizing their demand for a fair evaluation.

The FMGE is a single paper comprising 300 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) delivered in two parts on a single day, with 150 questions in 150 minutes for each part. There is no negative marking, and the pass mark is 150 out of 300. The Supreme Court notice regarding the FMGE protest remains live, indicating the gravity of the situation and the potential for judicial intervention.

Fmge Pass Rates by Session

Important Dates for Fmge 2026 Protests and Exams

Written by Simran

Simran is currently working as a Senior Content Writer at Findmycollege , where she creates engaging and research-driven learning resources for students. She has completed her Graduation in Journalism from Delhi University. With 4 years of experience in the EdTech industry, she has previously contributed to leading platforms like Leverage Edu and Aakash. Her expertise lies in simplifying Engineering and Medical entrance exam content to guide aspirants in their preparation journey. Beyond writing, Simran enjoys sketching, watching movies, and finding creative inspiration in everyday life.

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