What to Do if You Don't Qualify FMGE 2025?

Shruti Chatterjee

Updated On: January 14, 2026 03:38 PM

Wondering what to do if you don't qualify for FMGE 2025? If students don't qualify FMGE 2025 December session examination, then they can reappear for the next year, or they can explore careers in public health, medical research, etc. 
What to Do if You Don't Qualify FMGE 2025?

What to Do if You Don't Qualify for FMGE 2025? This is a common question that comes to the mind of every aspirant. The FMGE Exam is conducted biannually, and hence, applicants can try to reappear for the test after 6 months. Some of the options that candidates can choose if they do not qualify for the FMGE Exam 2025 include exploring non-medical careers, studying abroad, and preparing for other examinations.
The FMGE or Foreign Medical Graduates Exam is conducted by the National Board of Examinations (NBE). This exam is also known as the MCI exam or MCI screening for foreign medical graduates. The FMGE 2025 Syllabus for the June session is as per the MBBS course for clinical, para-clinical, and preclinical students. So, students are eager to know more about what to do if they don't qualify for the FMGE 2025 exam, and can go through the reasons behind FMGE instructions, career options, etc.
Also Read: FMGE Previous Year Question Paper

Careers Options for FMGE 2025 Failed Candidates

Evaluating Your Options: Exploring Alternative Career Paths after FMGE 2025 or Exam Options

If you don't qualify for the FMGE exam, it's important to evaluate your options and explore alternative career paths or exam options. Here are some steps to consider:

  1. Assess Your Interests and Skills: The first step is to assess your interests and skills. Identify your strengths and weaknesses and explore alternative career options that align with your interests and abilities.

  2. Explore Other Medical Exams: If you are determined to pursue a career in medicine in India, consider exploring other medical exams that are available. These exams have different eligibility criteria and exam patterns, so research them thoroughly before making a decision.

  3. Consider Studying Abroad: If you are open to studying abroad, you can explore medical programs in other countries. For instance, you can consider countries like the Philippines, Russia, China, or Ukraine, which offer medical programs in English at affordable costs. However, do thorough research on the eligibility criteria, admission process, and the reputation of the university before applying.

  4. Explore Non-Medical Career Options: If you are open to exploring non-medical career options, you can consider pursuing other fields that interest you. These fields require different qualifications and skill sets, so research them thoroughly before making a decision.

  5. Seek Guidance and Support: Finally, seek guidance and support from friends, family members, or career counsellors. Candidates can opt for a suitable choice depending on their preference, aptitude, and plans.

Pursue a PG Degree in the UK

The best career option for FMGE 2025 failed candidates is to enrol in one or two years of post-graduation courses in the UK. There are various specialisations to choose from, such as:

Clinical

  • Internal Medicine

  • Cardiology

  • Dermatology

  • Oncology

  • Orthopaedics

  • Respiratory Medicine

Non-clinical

  • Master of Public Health

  • Master of Hospital Administration

  • Bariatric Medicine

  • Pharmacology

  • Diabetes care

After completing a post-graduation degree in the UK, candidates can practice in India as well as 47 other countries without the need to appear for the FMGE. PG from the UK is recognised by NMC and MCI.

Pursue Paramedical Courses in India

Here are some paramedical undergraduate courses that students can opt for if they fail to clear their FMGE 2025 Exam:

Course Name

Course Duration

Average Course Fees

BSc Radiology

3 years

INR 2 LPA to 10 LPA

Bachelor of Physiotherapy

4.5 years

INR 4 LPA

BSc in Audiology and Speech Therapy

3 years

INR 4 LPA to 5 LPA

BSc Ophthalmic Technology

3 years

INR 2 LPA to 6 LPA

Bachelor's or BSc in Operating Theatre Technology

3 to 5 years

INR 4 LPA

BSc in Respiratory Therapy Technology

3 years

INR 2 LPA to 4 LPA

BSc in Dialysis Therapy

3 years

INR 1 LPA to 2 LPA

BSc Nursing

4 years

INR 1 LPA to 2 LPA

Bachelor of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences

5 years

INR 1 LPA to 2 LPA

Diploma in Physiotherapy

2 years

INR 1 LPA to 3 LPA


Study Medicine Abroad

International Medical Graduates who have completed their internships (this is especially for China Medical Graduates) can apply to various medical courses and complete them within a span of 1 to 2 years. It also opens many doors of opportunities, such as MRCP, MRCS, MRCR, etc. GMC registration is also valid in India, and one does not need to clear the FMGE exam for that.

GMC Registration

To legally practice medicine in the UK, it is mandatory to have a license to practice. It demonstrates the type of registration a doctor has, their level of training, and other crucial information. The registration validates that doctors practising medicine in the UK have the right skill set, training, and relevant experience required to fulfill the standard criteria that patients expect.

PLAB Test

Students who have graduated from a medical institute outside of the UK, Switzerland, or the European Economic Area (EEA) will probably need to clear the PLAB test. The PLAB test is intended to check if students know and can perform as a doctor starting their Foundation Programme training in the second year in the UK.

Pursue a PG Degree in the UK

A wise career prospect for the candidates who have failed FMGE is to simply enroll themselves into a post-graduation course in the UK. The duration of the following is between one to two years, and they open up a lot of opportunities for future projects. Mentioned below are the various specialization courses to choose from:

Clinical

Internal Medicine

Oncology

Cardiology

Orthopaedics

Dermatology

Respiratory Medicine

Non-Clinical

Master of Public Health

Pharmacology

Bariatric Medicine

Diabetes Care

Master of Hospital Administration

Prepare Better for Retaking FMGE

Candidates who are still willing to pass the FMGE 2025 Exam to gain a medical license in India can prepare again for the FMGE exam. Since the NBE has not put any limits on the number of attempts for FMGE, with hard work and sincerity, one can try to crack the exam again.

So, students can either restructure their study plan, reflect on their mistakes and make changes in their routine while preparing for their examinations. They need to reevaluate themselves if they choose to reappear for the exam. On the other hand, they can choose to build a career in pubic health, medical research, post-graduation abroad, etc. Therefore, for any queries regarding What to Do if You Don't Qualify FMGE 2025, log on to our CollegeDekho Q&A Zone or contact our toll-free helpline number 18005729877.

FAQs

What is the passing rate for the FMGE Exam?

Previously the passing rate for the FMGE used to be higher. But at present, the passing rate of the FMGE exam has dropped to 9-18%. Hence, the passing rate of the FMGE exam is low.

What can I do if I do not qualify for the FMGE 2024 Exam?

Students who fail to clear FMGE can choose to reappear for the exam with better preparation or opt to study post-graduation courses such as MS/MD in other countries such as the UK where FMGE is not required. Many students also choose a different career path after failing to clear the FMGE 2024 Exam.

Which countries have a lower passing rate for the FMGE?

The passing rate of the FMGE exam has significantly fallen in the past few years. A significant number of medical graduates are from Russia, China, Ukraine, and the Philippines.

Why is the passing rate in FMGE so less?

There are many reasons behind the drop in the passing rate of the FMGE exam. The primary reason is the difference in medical standards and curricula in various countries, differences in medical procedures and prescribing of medicines. The quality of education also matters when it comes to being able to clear the FMGE.

Why do only 20% of students manage to pass the FMGE exam?

Besides the differences in the syllabus and curriculum in different countries, many students also claim that there are no prescribed books for the FMGE exam. According to some FMGE failed candidates, the questions of the FMGE exam are not just restricted to the MBBS syllabus but often include questions from the PG syllabus.

What are the different paramedical undergraduate courses that foreign medical graduates can pursue if they fail to clear FMGE?

There are many courses that can be pursued by foreign medical graduates who failed to clear the FMGE course such as BSc Radiology, Bachelor of Physiotherapy, BSc in Audiology and Speech Therapy, BSc Ophthalmic Technology, Bachelor or BSc in Operation Theatre Technology, etc.

What other career options can FMGE 2024 failed candidates pursue?

FMGE 2024 failed candidates can study MS/MD in the UK after completing their internship in the respective countries or opt to do an internship followed by various post-graduation in clinical and/or non-clinical subjects.

Can FMGE 2024 failed candidates reappear for the exam?

Yes, candidates who have failed to clear the FMGE 2024 exam can reappear for the exam with better preparation. There are no limitations on the number of attempts that can be made to clear the FMGE exam.

Is FMGE more difficult than NEET PG?

Previously, the questions of FMGE used to be comparatively easy in comparison to NEET PG. But at present, the pass percentage has fallen to 9-18% which makes it a very tough exam to crack.

What is FMGE?

FMGE or Foreign Medical Graduates Examination, also known as the MCI screening test, is an exam that takes place biannually by the National Board of Examinations for students who return to India after completing their medical graduates in universities abroad. 

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