FMGE January 17 Exam City Allotment Confusion for Candidates

With just over a week remaining for the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) scheduled on January 17, 2026, many candidates are facing uncertainty about their designated exam cities due to conflicting communication from the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS). Traditionally, NBEMS communicates FMGE city allotments in advance so that candidates can plan travel and accommodation arrangements. However, this time reports indicate that some candidates have received different city names via SMS and email, leading to confusion over where they are expected to appear on exam day.

Reports of Mismatched City Information

Over the past few days, a number of FMGE aspirants have reported discrepancies between the city mentioned in the SMS and that in the email communication they received from NBEMS. In some instances, the SMS notification cited a city such as Delhi, while the email indicated a nearby location like Gurugram or Noida. Other candidates said they received only one mode of communication, adding to the uncertainty. A smaller group of candidates even reported receiving two different cities simultaneously, with the SMS and email assigning separate exam locations. This has sparked concern, especially among candidates who need to book travel or arrange accommodation well ahead of the exam.

No Official Clarification Yet from NBEMS

So far, NBEMS has not issued a public clarification regarding the mismatch in exam city details communicated to candidates. The board’s silence has further increased anxiety, given the proximity of the exam date.

What Candidates Must Understand?

Candidates should note that SMS and email notifications are considered preliminary intimation only and may not be final for travel planning. The FMGE admit card, which is scheduled to be released on January 14, 2026, will be the official document confirming the exact exam city and centre address. Experts and past candidates advise aspirants not to rely solely on SMS or email information for booking travel or accommodation at this stage. The admit card will supersede earlier communications and must be checked carefully once available.