'Either I clear FMGE or leave the country'
Careers 360|May 2024
After spending lakhs on MBBS degrees abroad, thousands spend years trying to clear the FMGE. That is the only option for Indian graduates of foreign medical colleges to build a career in India
Sanjay
'Either I clear FMGE or leave the country'

Alakh Singh completed his MBBS from a medical university in China in August, 2020. Starting from Decem ber that year, he has written the Foreign Medical Graduate Exam (FMGE) six times. In his sixth attempt, the December 2023 session, he scored 144 out of 300 six marks short of clearing the examination.

"In my first attempt, I scored 133. After that I scored more than 140, but could not clear the FMGE. The question papers in my first two attempts were easy and simple. But, now the questions are pretty tough and it is not easy to understand the pattern either.

I think I am not able to clear the exam as I am focusing on the subjects that I am strong at, and not on my weaknesses. I think my approach is not right," Singh, from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, told Careers360.

The years of writing the exam have caused him immense stress. "I go to the gym in the evening to beat my stress and depression. My family thinks I should not go for physical FMGE coaching in Delhi's Gautam Nagar as it would push me towards isolation. I am staying at my home in Varanasi," he said.

The FMGE is a screening test for Indian graduates of foreign medical colleges. Indians who wish to return and study further or practise in India must qualify the exam. The problem is, most don't. The vast majority of the candidates find themselves in Singh's situation repeatedly attempting the exam for years together.

Singh is now taking online coaching from Cerebellum Academy after paying an annual fee of Rs 30,000.

"I am preparing for the FMGE June 2024 session. I study for eight-nine hours a day. My online live classes start at 5 pm, but don't end at a fixed time. On average, the classes end between 11:30 pm to 1 am. I am more disciplined now and hope to clear the exam this time," he said.

Why study abroad

Denne historien er fra May 2024-utgaven av Careers 360.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra May 2024-utgaven av Careers 360.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA CAREERS 360Se alt
The 50 colleges in 5 countries where most Indians go for MBBS abroad
Careers 360

The 50 colleges in 5 countries where most Indians go for MBBS abroad

Data on countries and colleges from the Foreign Medical Graduates Examination (FMGE) 2022 - the latest available - shows that most Indians who completed medical degrees abroad and wrote the FMGE went to five countries.

time-read
2 mins  |
May 2024
Foreign medical colleges: Look before you leap
Careers 360

Foreign medical colleges: Look before you leap

A close look at foreign medical colleges that thousands of Indians have graduated from shows that many are unaccredited, don’t have hospitals or even their own websites

time-read
7 mins  |
May 2024
'Either I clear FMGE or leave the country'
Careers 360

'Either I clear FMGE or leave the country'

After spending lakhs on MBBS degrees abroad, thousands spend years trying to clear the FMGE. That is the only option for Indian graduates of foreign medical colleges to build a career in India

time-read
7 mins  |
May 2024
Why hundreds of nursing graduates leave India each year
Careers 360

Why hundreds of nursing graduates leave India each year

There has been an increase in nursing institutes over the past two decades but policy gaps, lax regulations, poor pay and opportunities are pushing a large number of nursing staff to seek opportunities abroad

time-read
8 mins  |
May 2024
In Kashmir, why NEET and JEE candidates flock to private reading halls to prepare for exams
Careers 360

In Kashmir, why NEET and JEE candidates flock to private reading halls to prepare for exams

These are accessible round-the-clock, even on public holidays, have private cabins and booths, kitchen, discussion area and some, even places for napping

time-read
4 mins  |
May 2024
Battling despair and depression in medical school
Careers 360

Battling despair and depression in medical school

Long hours, bullying, lack of support make a difficult programme tougher for medical students. They hope for clear guidelines from the NMC

time-read
5 mins  |
May 2024
This father-daughter duo uncovered a scam in NEET admissions in West Bengal
Careers 360

This father-daughter duo uncovered a scam in NEET admissions in West Bengal

Several generalcategory students had secured admission in medical colleges with forged ST certificates. Ishita Soren spotted the names, and her father followed up

time-read
4 mins  |
May 2024
'Forced to take up bonded labour
Careers 360

'Forced to take up bonded labour

There's massive resistance to a state policy in Karnataka that requires even private medical college graduates to do one year's mandatory rural service

time-read
6 mins  |
May 2024
‘A routine circus': PG medical students lobby, move court to get stipends
Careers 360

‘A routine circus': PG medical students lobby, move court to get stipends

Despite NMC orders, many medical colleges still seriously underpay resident doctors and threaten them into silence. In government colleges, stipends can be delayed for months

time-read
5 mins  |
May 2024
Why Mizoram wants centre to take over its only medical college
Careers 360

Why Mizoram wants centre to take over its only medical college

Mizoram got its first state medical college in 2018. In 2023, it asked the union government to take over. Mixed up in this are questions of funding, MBBS seat distribution

time-read
6 mins  |
May 2024