Explore Courses

Guide to FMGE Exam Pattern

Updated on 26 January, 2024

Kanika Pruthi

Kanika Pruthi

Sr. Content Writer & Study Abroad Expert

Cracking the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) is a dream of all foreign medical graduates who wish to practice medicine in India. The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) conducts the FMGE. According to the Screening Test Regulations, only foreign-trained medical graduates who are Indian citizens,  Overseas Citizens of India (OCI), or citizens of Nepal are eligible for FMGE. Let’s understand the FMGE exam pattern.

FMGE Exam Pattern: Highlights

Let us check out the key highlights of the FMGE exam.

Aspect Details
Mode of Exam Computer-based test
Medium of Exam English
Parts and Subjects

Part 1:

  • Pre and Para Clinical Subjects

 Part 2:

  • Clinical subjects
Number of Questions Asked 300
Question Types Multiple Choice Questions
Duration of Exam

300 minutes

  • 150 minutes to attempt each part
Total Marks 300
Minimum Marks Required 150
Marking Scheme
  • Each correct answer fetches one mark 
  • There’s no negative marking for wrong choices

FMGE Marking Scheme

The scoring process is simple. Candidates gain one mark for each correct answer, and no points are subtracted for incorrect or skipped questions.

There are two primary categories of subjects in the FMGE exam: 

Pre and Para Clinical Subjects:

Pathology, Physiology, Anatomy,  Microbiology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, and Forensic Medicine comprise the pre-clinical and para-clinical subjects. There are 100 points for these subjects. The respective scores for Physiology, Anatomy, and Biochemistry are 17. Forensic Medicine gets 10 marks, whereas Microbiology, Pathology, and Pharmacology each can fetch a maximum of 13 marks.

Clinical Subjects:

The clinical topics include Pediatrics, Community Medicine, Ophthalmology, Gynecology, Obstetrics, Otorhinolaryngology, General Surgery and Allied Subjects, and Medicine and Allied Subjects. A total of 200 points are attributed to these clinical subjects. Dermatology, Radiotherapy, Psychiatry and STDs, Orthopaedics, Anesthesiology, and Radiodiagnosis comprise 5 marks each, whereas Medicine can fetch a maximum of 33 marks. The marks for General Surgery are 32. Obstetrics, Community medicine, and gynecology each carry 30 marks, whereas Ophthalmology, Pediatrics, and otorhinolaryngology each carry 15 marks. 

FMGE Exam Syllabus

The FMGE syllabus consists of subjects that are of relevance and expertise as per the Graduate Medical Education Regulations that the NMC (National Medical Commission) issues. 

The detailed syllabus of FMGE consists of the following subjects and topics:

Anatomy 
  • General Anatomy
  • Elements of Anatomy
  • Regional Anatomy
  • Embryology
  • Histology
  • Human Genetics
  • Radiological Anatomy
  • Surface Anatomy
  • Sectional Anatomy
Physiology 
  • General Physiology
  • Body fluids - Blood
  • Blood Nerve and Muscle
  • Gastrointestinal Tract
  • Kidney
  • Skin and Body temperature
  • Endocrine Glands
  • Reproduction
  • Cardiovascular System
  • Respiratory System
  • Central Nervous Systems
  • Special Senses
Biochemistry
  • Cell and Sub-cellular structures
  • Hydrogen Ion concentration Acid, Bases, Buffers, Handerson-Haselbach equation
  • Isotopes and their application
  • Carbohydrates
  • Amino Acids, Peptides and Proteins
  • Lipids
  • Nuclear Acids
  • Enzymes
  • Vitamins
  • Biological Oxidation
  • Digestion and Absorption from the GI Tract
  • Intermediary Metabolism
  • Carbohydrate Metabolism
  • Lipid Metabolism
  • Protein and Amino Acid Metabolism
  • Purine and Primidine Metabolism
  • Minerals
  • Biochemical Genetics and Protein Biosynthesis
  • Tissue Biochemistry
  • Liver Functions
  • Nutrition and Energy Metabolism
Pathology 
  • Cell injury
  • Inflammation and Repair
  • Immunopathology
  • Infectious diseases
  • Circulatory disturbances
  • Growth disturbances and Neoplasia
  • Nutritional and other disorders
  • Genetic disorder
  • Hematology
  • Cardiovascular Pathology
  • Respiratory Pathology
  • Pathology of Kidney and Urinary Tract
  • Hepato-Biliary Pathology
  • Lymphoreticular System / Spleen
  • Reproductive System (male & female)
  • Diseases of the Breast
  • Musculoskeletal System
  • Endocrine pathology
  • Neuropathology
  • Dermato-Pathology
  • Ocular Pathology

Microbiology

 

 

  • General Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Bacteriology
  • General Virology
  • Systemic Virology
  • Mycology
  • Parasitology
  • Clinical / Applied Microbiology
Pharmacology
  • General Pharmacology
  • Autonomic Nervous System
  • Cardio-vascular System
  • Diuretics
  • Drugs affecting blood and blood formation
  • Autocoids and related drugs
  • Respiratory System
  • Gastro-intestinal System
  • Endocrine pharmacology
  • Central Nervous System
  • Psychopharmacology
  • Drugs in Anaesthetic practice
  • Chemotherapy
  • Toxicology
  • Clinical Pharmacology and rational drug use

Forensic Medicine

 

  • Definitions
  • Courts of India
  • Court procedures
  • Medical Certifications & medico-legal reports including dying declaration
  • Death
  • Changes after death
  • Inquest by police, magistrate and coroner
  • Identification
  • Examination of mutilated human remains
  • Medico-legal autopsies
  • Mechanical injuries and wounds
  • Examination of an injury case
  • Injuries due to physical agents & their medico legal importance
  • Asphyxial death
  • Death due to malnutrition, neglect battered babies
  • Dowry death
  • Virginity, sexual offences, sexual perversions
  • Legitimacy
  • Pregnancy and delivery
  • Infanticide
  • Biological fluids
  • Seminal stains
  • Forensic Psychiatry
  • Medical Jurisprudence
  • Toxicology

General Surgery

 

 

  • Hemorrhage and shock
  • Fluid, electrolyte and Acid balance, nutrition
  • Skin tumours, burns, skin grafting
  • Arterial diseases
  • Venous diseases
  • Lymphatic and Lymph nodes
  • Wounds
  • Specific and non-specific injections
  • Tumors, Cysts, Ulcers and Sinuses and Fistulae
  • Infections of Hand and Foot
  • Diseases of muscle, tendons, bursae and fascia
  • Hernia
  • Umbilical granuloma, fistula, adenoma
  • Abdominal wall
  • Face, Teeth, Gums, Mouth, Tongue, Salivary glands, Neck
  • Thyroid Glands, Thyroglossal Tract and Endocrines
  • Breast
  • Sympathetic System
  • Cranio-Cerebral injuries
  • Brain, Nerves
  • Genito-Urinary System
  • Kidneys and Ureters
  • Urinary Bladder
  • Prostrate
  • Urethra
  • Penis, Testis and Scrotum
  • Vasectomy and Recanalisation
  • Cardiothoracic System
  • Oesophagus, Stomach and Duodenum
  • Spleen, Liver, Gall Bladder and bile ducts
  • Pancreas
  • Peritoneum
  • Intestines, intestinal obstruction
  • Appendix
  • Rectum and Anal Canal

Anesthesia

 

 

  • Anatomy of upper airway
  • Physiology of Respiration O2/CO2 transport. Methods of oxygen therapy.
  • Pre-operative evaluation/pre-medication
  • Anaesthetic agents, stages of Anaesthesia
  • Principles and mechanism of administration of general anesthetics, balanced anesthesia
  • IPPV, Endotracheal Intubations
  • Muscle Relaxants
  • Spinal/Epidural Anesthesia
  • Local Anesthesia
  • Cardiopulmonary resuscitation basic, use of simple ventilators
  • Monitoring
  • ICU, the role of anaesthesiologist in ICU
  • Shock
  • Blood Transfusion and Fluid Electoral Balance
  • Sites of respiratory obstruction and management of the airway in an unconscious patient
  • Poisoning
  • Role of anaesthesiologist in acute and chronic relief

Orthopedics

 

  • Traumatology
  • Injuries of bones and joints
  • Injuries of lower extremity
  • Injuries of the spine, vascular injuries
  • Cold Orthopedics
  • Regional conditions
  • Neuro-muscular disorder
  • Bone and Joint Tuberculosis
  • Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Radio- Diagnosis
  • Respiratory System
  • Cardiovascular System
  • Gastrointestinal System
  • Obstetrics &Gynaecology
  • Skeletal System
  • Central Nervous System
  • Excretory System
Radiotherapy
  • Principles of Radiotherapy
  • Principles of Chemotherapy
  • Prevention and Early diagnosis of Cancer
  • Principles of Nuclear medicine
  • Common radiation reactions and management
  • Radiotherapy and chemotherapy in commonly seen cancers
  • Radio-isotopes in diagnosis and therapy

 

Paediatrics

 

  • Vital statistics
  • Neonatology
  • Growth & Development
  • Nutrition
  • Infections
  • Genetics
  • Pediatric Emergencies
  • Central Nervous System
  • Gastroenterology
  • Nephrology
  • Endocrinology
  • Respiratory System
Medicine
  • Clinical Methods in the practice of Medicine
  • Common symptoms of disease
  • Nutrition/Exposure to Physical & Chemical Agents
  • Infections
  • Haematology
  • Respiratory System
  • Cardio-Vascular System
  • Gartro-Intestinal Tract
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Neurological System
  • Nephrology and Urinary system connected to Tissue Disorders
  • Endocrine System
  • Geriatrics
Tuberculosis And Respiratory Diseases
  • Diagnosis and management of common ailments affecting the chest with special
  • emphasis on management and prevention of Tuberculosis and National
  • Tuberculosis Control Programme

Psychiatry

 

 

  • History aspects and diagnosis & treatment of mental illness
  • Conduction of Mental Status Examination
  • Behavioral Sciences
  • Different psychoses Clinical features, diagnosis, and management of Schizophrenia
  • Mania and depression
  • Anxiety disorders and hysteria
  • Dementia
  • Alcoholism
  • Drug Abuse
  • Psychiatric emergencies
  • Clinical features, diagnosis and management of psychiatric disorders of childhood
  • and adolescence
  • Personality disorder

Dermatology And Sexually Transmitted Diseases

 

  • Dermatological therapy
  • Lichen Planus
  • Diseases caused by Nutritional and Environmental Factors
  • Infective Disorders
  • Melanocytes, pigment metabolism and other disorders of Pigmentation
  • Allergic Disorders
  • Dermatitis and Eczema
  • Vesiculobullous Diseases
  • Alopecia and Hirsutism
  • Structure and functions of Sebaceous glands and diseases
  • Leprosy
  • Psorasis
  • STD

Ophthalmology

 

 

  • Basic sciences – Anatomy, Physiology, Pharmacology, Pathology, Elementary
  • Optics, Diseases of the Eye
  • Conjunctiva
  • Cornea
  • Sclera
  • Uveal Tract
  • Lens
  • Vitreous
  • Glaucoma
  • Retina
  • Optic Nerve
  • Intra-Occular Tumors
  • Squint
  • Orbit
  • Lacrimal System
  • Lids
  • Refractive Errors
  • Injuries
  • Ophthalmic Surgery
  • Community Ophthalmology
  • Miscellaneous

Otorhinolaryngology

 

 

  • Diseases of the Ear
  • Diseases of Nose and Para Nasal Sinuses
  • Diseases of Nasopharynx
  • Diseases of Trachea
  • Oesophagus

Obstetrics And Gynecology

 

 

  • Anatomy of the Female reproductive Tract
  • Physiology of conception
  • Development of foetus and placenta
  • Diagnosis of pregnancy
  • Maternal changes in pregnancy
  • Antenatal care
  • Abnormal obstetrics
  • Normal labour
  • Normal puerparium
  • Breast Feeding
  • Care of newborn
  • Medical termination of pregnancy
  • Family planning
  • Operative obstetrics
  • Post caesarian pregnancy
  • Pharmaco therapeutics in obstetrics
  • Safe motherhood
  • Maternal morbidity and morality
  • Medico-legal aspects
  • RCH
  • Current topics
  • Vaginal discharge
  • Menstrual disorder
  • Fertility, infertility
  • Endometriosis and allied states
  • Genital injuries and fistulae
  • Genital infections
  • Genital prolapse
  • Tumours
  • Carcinoma
  • Radiotherapy in gynecology
  • Chemotherapy in gynecology
  • Endoscopy
  • Diseases of breast
  • Operative gynecology

Community Medicine

 

 

  • Evaluation of Public Health and Concepts of Health
  • Environment and Health
  • Health Education
  • Nutrition and Dietetics

FMGE Subject-Wise Distribution of Marks

Each subject of the syllabus has a particular weightage in the examination. The FMGE marks distribution and FMGE subject weightage are mentioned below.

Subjects

Marks Distribution

Pre and Para Clinical Subjects

Total: 100 Marks

Anatomy 17
Physiology 17
Biochemistry 17
Pathology 13
Microbiology 13
Pharmacology 13
Forensic Medicine 10

Clinical Subjects

Total: 200 Marks
Medicine 33
Psychiatry 5
General Surgery 32
Dermatology and STD 5
Radiotherapy 5
Anesthesiology 5
Orthopedics 5
Radiodiagnosis 5
Pediatrics 15
Ophthalmology 15
Otorhinolaryngology 15
Obstetrics and Gynaecology 30
Community Medicine 30

Read More:

FAQs

Is there a negative marking in FMGE?

There is no negative marking in FMGE. You won't lose marks for incorrect answers or unattempted questions.

What total marks can be obtained in the FMGE test?

The total marks in FMGE are 300, with 100 marks for pre- and para-clinical subjects and 200 for clinical subjects.

What are the passing criteria for FMGE?

To pass FMGE, you need to score at least 150 out of 300 marks. There are no sectional passing criteria.

Can you wear a smartwatch in FMGE?

Smartwatches are not allowed in the examination hall. You can wear a non-digital watch for timekeeping.

Kanika Pruthi

Sr. Content Writer & Study Abroad Expert

Kanika has 5+ years of experience as a writer and content developer. She has written for a wide range of industry verticals, including hospitality, restaurants, non-profits, finance, IT, HR, technology, payroll, and education. She has worked as a creator for a few leading companies and has also helped brands grow through her creative writing.

See More

Refer Your Friend & Earn upto ₹40000

Help your friend upgrade to a Global Career and earn rewards together.

Disclaimer

The above tips are the Author's experiences. upGrad does not guarantee scores or admissions.