he standoff over the June 2026 Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) continues, with foreign medical graduates seeking relief while the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) maintains that the minimum competency standard for medical practice in India cannot be lowered.

The June examination has come under scrutiny after only 12.38% of the 37,448 candidates who appeared cleared the test. Candidates have raised concerns over the difficulty of the paper, the introduction of video-based questions and examination-centre conditions, leading to protests in Delhi, including a hunger strike by some candidates.

NBEMS had constituted a three-member expert committee headed by Air Marshal (Dr.) Pawan Kapoor (Retd.) to examine the concerns and recommend improvements. The panel has proposed several changes to make the examination more transparent and candidate-friendly, but did not recommend grace or compensatory marks for the June examination.

Sources cited in the report said the committee found no material evidence that the video-based questions or the overall difficulty of the June paper had adversely affected the result. NBEMS has therefore drawn a distinction between improving the examination process and lowering the qualifying standard.

What the June FMGE results show

The overall pass percentage has become the main flashpoint in the dispute, but attempt-wise figures provide additional context.

In June 2026, 35.74% of first-time candidates cleared the FMGE, compared with 21.45% of those appearing for the second time. Among candidates who had taken the examination more than five times, the pass rate fell to 3.29%.

The December 2025 session showed a similar pattern, although the first-attempt pass rate was higher at 47.53%. Only 5.58% of candidates appearing after more than five attempts cleared that examination.

NBEMS officials have argued that the overall pass rate alone cannot establish that the examination was unfair. The board's stated position is that FMGE is a screening examination and that its qualifying standard is linked to the competency expected of doctors who will treat patients in India.

What the expert committee has proposed

Rather than recommending a lower qualifying threshold, the expert panel has proposed changes to the structure and conduct of future FMGE sessions.

One major recommendation is to alter the distribution of questions. The proposed pattern would have 30% low-difficulty questions, 50% moderate-difficulty questions and 20% high-difficulty questions. The panel has also recommended that the mean difficulty level should not exceed 5.5, with the median not exceeding 5 on a 10-point scale.

The committee has also suggested examining the feasibility of conducting FMGE three times a year instead of the current twice-yearly schedule. If implemented, the additional session could reduce the waiting period for candidates who do not clear an attempt. The proposal is not yet an approved change to the examination calendar.

Other recommendations include reviewing the examination fee, improving infrastructure at examination centres and giving candidates access to their recorded responses, subject to technical and legal safeguards.

The committee has also recommended safeguards around the use of multimedia questions. A separate report on the panel's recommendations said the reintroduction of video-based questions should be deferred for at least a year and that candidates should receive adequate information beforehand if such questions are used in future.

Why candidates are still demanding relief

For protesting FMGs, the central issue remains the June examination itself. Candidates have argued that the paper was unusually difficult and that video-based questions were introduced without sufficient preparation or advance notice. Concerns have also been raised about technical and environmental conditions at some examination centres.

The low June pass rate intensified those concerns. However, the expert committee's findings do not currently support compensatory marks, and NBEMS has reiterated that reforms cannot come at the expense of the competency threshold required for patient safety.

The dispute has therefore moved towards a narrower question: whether the June 2026 examination warrants exceptional relief, or whether changes should instead be made prospectively to improve transparency, predictability and the candidate experience.

For now, NBEMS appears open to changes in how FMGE is conducted, including a possible third annual attempt, but the qualifying bar itself remains non-negotiable.

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) is expected to conduct NEET UG 2026 counselling in multiple phases, including Round 1, Round 2, the Mop-Up Round and the Stray Vacancy Round. While the detailed counselling schedule is awaited, officials have indicated that all announcements and notifications will be released through the official MCC portal.

The Stray Vacancy Round is conducted to fill seats that remain vacant after all regular counselling rounds are completed. These seats may arise because candidates fail to report, withdraw before the final deadline, or because some institutions continue to have unfilled vacancies after the Mop-Up Round.

Unlike the earlier rounds, the Stray Vacancy Round comes with stricter eligibility conditions. Candidates who have already joined a medical college through previous counselling rounds are generally not eligible to participate. The round is primarily meant for students who are still without an allotted seat and meet the eligibility criteria prescribed by the counselling authorities.

Candidates are advised to carefully read the counselling bulletin before registering because the rules governing participation, seat acceptance and reporting differ from earlier rounds. Missing deadlines or failing to comply with reporting requirements may result in the loss of the allotted seat, while applicable security deposit rules may also come into effect depending on the counselling authority's regulations.

The counselling process generally begins with online registration, followed by payment of the prescribed fee, choice filling, choice locking, seat allotment and physical reporting at the allotted institute. Once the Stray Vacancy Round concludes, the admission process for the academic session is considered complete and no further regular counselling rounds are conducted.

Medical education experts advise candidates to prepare all required documents well in advance. These typically include the NEET UG admit card, scorecard, counselling registration documents, identity proof, Class 10 and 12 certificates, category certificates wherever applicable, domicile documents, photographs and other certificates specified by the counselling authority. Any discrepancy during verification may affect admission.

Students should also remember that the Stray Vacancy Round usually offers limited choices because only the remaining vacant seats are available. As a result, flexibility while filling preferences can significantly improve the chances of securing a seat.

The National Medical Commission (NMC) and MCC have repeatedly emphasised that admissions must strictly follow the notified counselling schedule and approved guidelines. Candidates have been advised not to rely on unofficial information circulating on social media and instead monitor only official notifications for updates regarding counselling dates, eligibility and reporting instructions.

With NEET UG 2026 admissions entering their final stages in the coming weeks, the Stray Vacancy Round is expected to become a crucial opportunity for thousands of aspirants still hoping to secure admission into medical colleges across the country.

Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH) underwent an extensive inspection by a team from the National Medical Commission (NMC) on Thursday as part of its proposal to increase MBBS seats from 120 to 170. The inspection, which lasted nearly 12 hours, focused on evaluating whether the institution meets the academic, infrastructural, and clinical requirements necessary for accommodating a larger intake of medical students.

The NMC delegation comprised Dr. Rajiv Nehra, Dr. Laxmikant Bharti, and Dr. Sanjay Meena. The team began its assessment around 8 a.m. and continued until approximately 8 p.m., reviewing multiple departments within both the medical college and the associated hospital.

According to officials, the inspection was conducted following SKMCH’s formal application seeking approval for the enhancement of undergraduate medical seats. The commission will prepare a detailed assessment report before taking a final decision on the proposal.

Faculty and Infrastructure Assessment

A major focus of the inspection was the institution’s academic infrastructure and faculty availability. The NMC team visited departments including Anatomy, Pharmacology, Pathology, and Microbiology to assess teaching facilities and departmental preparedness.

Faculty members and medical staff underwent physical verification, while biometric attendance records were examined to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. The evaluators reviewed faculty strength, teacher-student ratios, laboratory facilities, lecture halls, demonstration rooms, and other essential academic resources.

Officials also assessed whether the institution adheres to the infrastructure standards prescribed by the National Medical Commission for an expanded student intake.

Clinical Exposure and Hospital Services

The inspection extended beyond classrooms and laboratories, with significant attention given to hospital operations and patient care services. The team inspected the Outpatient Department (OPD), Inpatient Department (IPD), emergency units, operation theatres, and diagnostic facilities.

Records related to surgical procedures in Orthopaedics, General Surgery, Ophthalmology, ENT, and Gynaecology departments were scrutinized. Inspectors also verified patient admission records and clinical workload, both of which are critical indicators of the practical training opportunities available to medical students.

The Radiology Department, including CT Scan and MRI facilities, was reviewed alongside the central library and other learning resources. The objective was to determine whether SKMCH has adequate hospital beds, modern medical equipment, and sufficient patient inflow to support an increased number of MBBS students.

Positive Outlook from College Administration

Following the inspection, SKMCH authorities expressed optimism regarding the outcome. Principal Prof. Dr. Kumari Vibha stated that the inspection team appeared satisfied with the institution’s infrastructure and operational arrangements.

She said the college has made significant efforts to strengthen its academic and healthcare facilities in anticipation of the proposed expansion. According to college officials, increasing the MBBS intake would enable the institution to contribute more effectively to the growing demand for qualified medical professionals in Bihar.

Panel presses NTA to strengthen exam security ahead of NEET re-exam on June 21; China’s Gaokao model and US practices discussed.

A parliamentary committee on Wednesday asked the National Testing Agency (NTA) to study examination systems in countries such as China and the United States and recommend measures to tighten security ahead of the NEET-UG re-examination scheduled for June 21, officials said. The meeting came amid continuing investigations into the May 3 paper leak that led to the cancellation of the exam.

Officials before panel
NTA Director General Abhishek Singh and National Medical Commission (NMC) President Abhijat Sheth appeared before the standing committee for a third time to brief members on steps taken since irregularities surfaced on the evening of May 7, according to sources familiar with the matter. The two officials outlined logistical preparations for the pen-and-paper re-test and assurance measures being strengthened at centres across 551 Indian cities and 14 foreign centres.

Gaokao example cited
Members of the committee suggested looking at international best practices, pointing to the Chinese Gaokao and testing protocols in the United States as possible models. China’s spokesperson in India, Yu Jing, posted a video on X this week describing the Gaokao as a two-day nationwide examination for about 1.3 crore students, where some cities temporarily halt factories and traffic to prioritise examinees. Committee members said such coordination and nationwide commitment were worth studying for lessons on scale and enforcement.

Calls for systemic change
Lawmakers pressed for durable reforms to restore public confidence in the NTA after the controversy. Suggestions included tighter invigilation, strengthened chain-of-custody for answer sheets and question papers, biometric verification at centres, and real-time monitoring of exam halls. Several members reiterated past proposals to offer NEET multiple times a year — two to three sessions — so candidates are not unduly penalised by a single compromised sitting.

Context on multiple sessions
NEET-UG has traditionally been held once a year in a single session, with about 23 lakh candidates appearing in 2026. The idea of conducting NEET multiple times has resurfaced repeatedly; a 2018 government announcement proposed twice-yearly tests for JEE and NEET but was not implemented. NMC officials told the committee that a shift to multiple sessions would require changes to the counselling framework for over 1 lakh MBBS seats and would need legislative or policy adjustments to prevent vacant seats and logistical clashes.

Investigation and arrests
Investigators from the Central Bureau of Investigation have so far arrested 13 people in connection with the alleged paper leak. The NTA said irregularities were first flagged on May 7 and the matter was referred to central agencies. The May 12 cancellation and the June 21 re-exam date followed recommendations from the Education Ministry and probe agencies to ensure fairness for aspirants.

Student stress and welfare
Committee members also raised concerns about student welfare after reports of suicides linked to exam stress. They urged the government to provide support to grieving families and expand counselling services for candidates. “Reducing pressure on students and ensuring transparent processes were emphasised,” an official present at the briefing said on condition of anonymity.

Ground realities ahead
On the ground, centres have been finalising seating plans and security checks in the past fortnight, and state education departments have been asked to coordinate local law enforcement. With around 23 lakh aspirants expected to contest the re-test, officials acknowledge the logistical challenge but say the priority is to deliver a secure and credible exam.

What’s next
The committee asked the NTA to prepare a comparative note on testing models in China and the US, highlighting practices that can be adapted within India’s legal and administrative framework. The NTA has been asked to file a report before the panel ahead of a follow-up hearing later this month, officials said. Meanwhile, the CBI investigation into the leak continues and the agency is expected to submit periodic updates to the committee.