NAVIGATING YOUR WAY THROUGH FMGE TO MRCP UK
Are you a medical student who has completed an MBBS degree from abroad and wants to practice in India?
The key requirement for practicing in the home country is to clear the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) – it is a licensing exam that ensures you meet the standard set by the Indian Medical System.
Further in this blog, we will discuss everything you need to know about the FMGE examination.
What is FMGE?
The Foreign Medical Graduate Examination is a screening test that is conducted by the National Board of Examination in Medical Examiners. It is mandatory for Indian students who have done their MBBS degree, the primary medical qualification from a foreign institute, and wish to practice in India.
Who can appear for the FMGE?
- You are a citizen of India
- You hold a foreign MBBS degree
- You want to register with the State Medical Council in India
But here is something more interesting: what if you want to practice in another country, but the FMGE exam is a big hurdle?
There is another way out, which is the MRCP UK examination.
The membership of the Royal College of Physicians is a prestigious postgraduate qualification recognized around the world, especially in the UK and Gulf countries.
Who is eligible for the MRCP exam?
If the candidate has completed his/her MBBS degree from the university listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools, and also completed at least 12 months of clinical internship, even if they have not yet cleared FMGE in India.
Here’s the key difference:
FMGE = License to practice in India
MRCP = PG-level qualification for global opportunities
So if your goal is the UK, you can skip FMGE entirely and still build a successful career.
How Does It Work?
Here’s what your MRCP journey might look like:
- Pass MRCP Part 1 (Written, MCQs)
- Pass Part 2 (More clinical scenarios)
- Clear PACES (Practical exam with patients – available internationally)
- Apply for GMC Registration (With MRCP + IELTS/OET)
- Start working in the NHS (UK) as a physician!
You don’t need PLAB. You don’t need Indian registration.
You just need the will, knowledge, and smart preparation.
Can you practice in India?
Even if the candidate has cleared MRCP and is practicing abroad, but you still cannot practice in India unless you clear FMGE.
MRCP is not a license exam; it is a qualification.
So, if you want solely to practice in India, it is a must to clear the FMGE.
But if you want to practice abroad, the MRCP qualification is the golden ticket.
Whether you’re stuck waiting for FMGE results or simply looking for a globally recognized postgraduate path, MRCP opens doors that lead far beyond borders.
So yes — you, an Indian student with an MBBS from abroad, CAN give MRCP directly. And no, you don’t need FMGE to do it.
Start early. Plan smart. The world needs doctors — and you’re already halfway there.