FMGE – Medical Students Demand Independent Probe Over June 2026 Examination Issues
FMGE – The All India Medical Students’ Association’s Foreign Medical Students’ Wing (AIMSA-FMSW) held a demonstration at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Monday, calling for an independent investigation into the Foreign Medical Graduates Examination (FMGE) conducted in June 2026. The student body alleged that the examination process was affected by multiple shortcomings that raised concerns about fairness, transparency, and equal opportunity for candidates. Soon after the protest, the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) announced the formation of a three-member committee to review the complaints.
Students Seek Government Intervention
Along with their protest, AIMSA-FMSW submitted a representation to Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda, requesting his intervention in the matter. The association stated that repeated concerns raised by students and discussions with medical faculty members highlighted the need for an impartial review of the examination process. Responding to these demands, NBEMS constituted an independent committee that will examine all issues presented by the student representatives.
Concerns Raised Over Examination Pattern
According to the association, one of the primary concerns involved the introduction of video-based clinical questions during the June FMGE. Student representatives claimed that this format was introduced for the first time without prior notification, leaving candidates unprepared for the change. They argued that such a significant modification should have been communicated well in advance to ensure that examinees had sufficient time to adapt.
The association further stated that despite the inclusion of the new question format, no additional time was allotted to complete the examination. Students maintained that the revised pattern required extra time for proper evaluation of the clinical scenarios shown in video clips, making time management difficult for many candidates.
Infrastructure and Difficulty Level Also Questioned
Apart from concerns regarding the examination pattern, AIMSA-FMSW alleged that several examination centres lacked adequate infrastructure. According to the association, technical and logistical shortcomings at certain venues affected the overall testing experience for candidates.
The student body also claimed that the overall difficulty level of the June 2026 FMGE was significantly higher than expected and that no prior indication was provided regarding the change. It argued that sudden alterations in the nature of the examination could have influenced candidate performance and called for greater transparency in future examinations.
NBEMS Forms Review Committee
Following discussions with representatives of the student association, NBEMS announced that the newly formed three-member committee would examine all concerns raised during the protest. The examination authority said the panel has been given three weeks to complete its review and submit its findings.
According to AIMSA-FMSW, NBEMS also agreed in principle to release the FMGE answer key after the review process, addressing one of the key demands raised by students. The association believes that publication of the answer key would improve transparency and help candidates better understand the evaluation process.
Decision on Relief to Candidates Pending
Students also requested compensation or the award of grace marks for candidates who may have been affected by the alleged irregularities. As per the association, NBEMS informed them that any decision regarding such relief would be taken only after the answer key is examined and the committee completes its assessment.
The examination authority reportedly indicated that if any questions are found to be unfair, ambiguous, or excessively difficult, suitable action would be considered based on the committee’s recommendations.
NSUI Holds Separate Protest in Delhi
In a separate development on Monday, the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) organised a “Students’ Justice March” towards Jantar Mantar. The protest was held against the alleged police action on students during the “Sansad Chalo” march conducted on July 20.
According to NSUI, several participants were stopped by police before reaching the protest venue, and around 10 to 12 members of the organisation were detained. The student body criticised the police action and demanded accountability over the handling of the earlier demonstration.