Low FMGE Pass Rates Prompt Kerala Students to Rethink Foreign Medical Universities

Quick Summary

• FMGE Pass Rate: The foreign Medical Graduates Examination (FMGE) for June 2025 recorded a pass percentage of 18.61%. Out of 36,034 candidates who appeared, only 6,707 cleared the exam.
• Historical Trends: Pass percentages have consistently remained low since FMGE’s inception. December 2024 saw a pass rate of 29.62%, while June and December cycles from earlier years ranged between 13% to 21.6%.
• Emerging Destinations: Kerala students increasingly opt for medical education in countries like Georgia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Philippines, and Malaysia due to conflict impacting traditional choices such as Russia and ukraine.
• Reasons for Studying Abroad:

– Limited seats in India: Among the ~12.36 lakh NEET qualifiers in India (2025), there are only ~1.18 lakh MBBS seats available.
– Cost factor: MBBS abroad (~₹70 lakh) is often cheaper than Indian colleges (~₹2 lakh to ₹1.4 crore).
– Easier eligibility: NEET serves as the bar for admission abroad but is considered less challenging compared to FMGE.

• Concerns over FMGE Transparency: Students cite lack of answer keys or revaluation options as pain points during FMGE exams.
• International Licensing Options: Some graduates seek licensure in countries with better prospects like Australia or New Zealand instead of repeatedly attempting FMGE.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The persistently low pass rates in the FMGE spotlight challenges faced by foreign-trained medical graduates wishing to practice in India. While critics emphasize the test’s difficulty rather than flaws in foreign medical education quality, India’s stringent screening process reflects its aim to maintain high professional standards within its healthcare sector.

Kerala students’ shift towards newer international destinations illustrates adaptability driven by geopolitical factors like conflicts and affordability concerns-factors that could impact broader trends among Indian aspirants considering overseas studies.

The limited MBBS seats within India exacerbate this trend; however, improving transparency within exams like FMGE could build confidence among aspiring doctors while addressing allegations surrounding evaluation fairness.

Additionally, rising interest among Indian graduates toward international licensing pathways hints at increasing competition globally-a advancement worth monitoring as it may shape future migration patterns or policy changes linked with India’s healthcare workforce demands.

Published August 17, 2025.
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