Foreign medical graduates who lost their original NEET-UG scorecards got relief from the Delhi High Court. The court directed the National Testing Agency (NTA) to issue them duplicates, with a simpler process and less paperwork, so they can still sit the FMGE on October 31, 2026.
A Missing NEET 2026 Scorecard Blocking a Career
The Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) is a mandatory screening test for anyone with a foreign medical degree who wants to practise medicine in India. To apply, candidates need documents that include their NEET-UG scorecard.
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A group of aspirants had lost or misplaced their originals, so their FMGE applications were incomplete. The timeline made this urgent:
- FMGE exam date: October 31, 2026
- Application deadline: September 25, 2026, until 11:55 PM
- Deadline to fix document deficiencies (such as the eligibility certificate): October 21, 2026
NTA had a duplicate scorecard procedure, laid out in a public notice and office memorandum dated September 17, 2026. But it involved several formalities, and the petitioners argued they couldn't complete them all so close to the exam. They petitioned the Delhi High Court.
A Relaxed Process for the Petitioners
Justice Jasmeet Singh disposed of the batch of petitions and agreed that students preparing for an exam this important shouldn't be tied up in last-minute formalities. NTA's counsel had already said the agency would not insist on two requirements:
- A police report
- Attestation of photographs by a Gazetted Officer or head of institution
The court then modified the list of documents. Petitioners must now submit:
- A duly filled and signed application
- A self-attested affidavit explaining how the scorecard was lost
- Two recent passport-size colour photographs, with no stamp paper required
- A self-attested photocopy of a government-issued ID
- Details on whether the admit card or registration slip is available
- Proof of payment of the prescribed fee
- A self-attested indemnity-cum-affidavit
Payment: Petitioners can pay by NEFT instead of a Demand Draft and attach the proof of payment to the application.
Submission: Applications can go through the NTA portal or by email to the address given in Clause 6.1 of the office memorandum.
Timelines: Petitioners must submit within 7 days of the order, and NTA must generate the scorecard within 7 days after that.
FMGE application: The petitioners can also write a simple letter saying they want to appear in the FMGE on October 31, 2026. NBEMS will treat it as a valid application, and the format of the letter doesn't matter. Any remaining deficiencies must be fixed by October 21, 2026, 11:55 PM.
Who Benefits From High Court's Order?
The petitioners in this case. The order applies only to them. It covers foreign medical graduates who had lost their scorecards and couldn't finish their FMGE applications.
Other aspirants should be careful. The court said that for future examinations, the September 17, 2026 notification will apply under the law. Others in the same situation shouldn't assume this relaxed process covers them. They should follow NTA's official procedure or check with the authorities.
The wider FMG community also gains a little, since the order recognises how much rides on the FMGE. It is the gateway to practising in India for graduates of foreign medical schools.
FAQ
Q1. What did the Delhi High Court order?
It directed NTA to issue duplicate NEET-UG scorecards to the petitioners, who are FMGE 2026 aspirants who lost their originals, on a relaxed set of documentation requirements.
Q2. Does this order apply to all FMGE aspirants who lost their scorecards?
No. The court said it applies only to the petitioners in this case. For future examinations, the September 17, 2026 notification applies.
Q3. Is a police report still required for the petitioners?
No. NTA told the court it would not insist on a police report, and the court's revised document list doesn't include one.
Q5. Do the photographs need to be attested?
No. NTA agreed not to insist on attestation by a Gazetted Officer or head of institution. Petitioners need two recent passport-size colour photographs, without stamp paper.
Q6. How can the fee be paid?
Through NEFT instead of a Demand Draft. The proof of payment goes with the application.
Q7. How and when do the petitioners apply for the duplicate scorecard?
Through the NTA portal or by email to the address in Clause 6.1 of the office memorandum, within 7 days of the order. NTA must then generate the scorecard within 7 days.
Q8. Is the FMGE application deadline still open for the petitioners?
The original deadline was September 25, 2026. For the petitioners, a letter expressing their wish to appear on October 31, 2026 counts as a valid application. They must rectify any deficiencies by October 21, 2026, 11:55 PM.
Q9. Why is the FMGE important?
It is a mandatory eligibility screening test for foreign medical graduates who want to practise medicine in India.
