PLAB Exam Centres in India

Only PLAB 1 can be taken in India. PLAB 2 has to be taken at the General Medical Council (GMC) Clinical Assessment Centre in Manchester, UK, so candidates based in India will need to plan travel and a UK visa for that stage.

In short:

• PLAB 1 is a computer-based test. You can take it in one of six Indian cities.
• PLAB 2 is a practical clinical exam. It’s held only in Manchester, so you’ll need a UK visa and travel arrangements.
• Seats are released in batches and often fill within hours, so it helps to check your GMC Online account as soon as booking opens.

The sections below explain where each exam is held, how to book your test, and what to prepare for before you travel.

PLAB 1 Exam Centres in India

You can take the PLAB exam in six Indian cities. The British Council coordinates the exam at each of these centres:

• Bangalore
• Chennai
• Hyderabad
• Kolkata
• Mumbai
• New Delhi

For enquiries about any of these centres, the British Council’s contact address is BCEEnquiries@britishcouncil.org, as listed on the official site.

Chennai has a limited future as a PLAB 1 centre. The GMC has announced that it will stop offering PLAB 1 there from the February 2027 sitting. Candidates who want to test in India should plan for one of the other five cities from that date onwards.

Seat availability isn’t published in advance, so you can only see live seats by logging in to your verified GMC Online account. Seats in India are released in batches and often fill within hours of opening, so decide on your preferred city before the booking window opens and check the booking page as soon as it does.

Where Is the PLAB 2 Exam Held?

PLAB 2 is held only in United Kingdom, so you can’t take it in India. The General Medical Council (GMC) runs the exam at two Clinical Assessment Centre sites in Manchester, and it’s available throughout the year.

The two Manchester locations are listed below:

Here’s what you need to know before you travel:

• Booking order: You can only view and book PLAB 2 dates in your GMC Online account after you have passed PLAB 1.
• Your venue: Your booking confirmation tells you which site to attend, along with the reporting time. Check it carefully, as the two addresses are close together.
• Visa: Because the exam is only held in Manchester, you’ll need a UK Standard Visitor visa. Keep your booking confirmation with your visa paperwork.
• Demand: PLAB 2 places are in high demand at times, so you may have to wait for a test date.
• Urgent cases: If you hold UK refugee status or have an NHS job offer that requires GMC registration, email plab@gmc-uk.org. The GMC will try to offer you a test place as soon as possible.

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How to Book a PLAB Exam Centre?

All PLAB bookings are made through your GMC Online account. You can’t book through a third party, and the General Medical Council (GMC) specifically mentions that sharing your login details counts as misconduct and can affect your booking or any future registration.

Before you can see PLAB 1 dates

The booking service stays closed until the GMC has checked your details, so you’ll need to:

1. Set up your GMC Online account.
2. Submit evidence of your English language skills, such as an IELTS exam or OET exam, that meets the GMC’s requirements.
3. Wait for the GMC to verify your documents. Once they’re approved, the booking service opens for you.

Verification takes time, so start early if you’re aiming for a particular test date.

Booking your PLAB 1 test

1. Log in to GMC Online and open the PLAB booking service.
2. Search for dates and locations. Pick your preferred location and a backup in case it fills.
3. Select a date and pay the exam fee to complete the booking.
4. Keep the confirmation from the GMC safe, along with your booking reference, as you’ll need both if you have to change or cancel.

Seats fill quickly, especially at popular centres, so decide on your locations before you log in.

Booking your PLAB 2 test

You can only book PLAB 2 after you have passed PLAB 1. Use the same GMC Online account and choose your date from the PLAB booking service.

If you run into problems with a booking, call the GMC on 0161 923 6602.

Read more about: PLAB Syllabus |  PLAB Exam Dates | PLAB Exam Preparation

Documents Required to Book a PLAB Exam

Booking a PLAB exam requires verified evidence that you meet the General Medical Council’s (GMC) entry requirements. 

The booking service remains unavailable until the GMC has completed this verification.

To book PLAB 1

• Evidence of English: Your IELTS or OET results, added to your GMC Online account under My Tests. The GMC’s guide on evidence of your knowledge of English sets out the accepted scores and how long results remain valid.
• An acceptable qualification: Your primary medical qualification must be on the GMC’s list of acceptable overseas qualifications. Check this before you apply.
• A GMC Online account: You need this to submit your evidence and make the booking.

Verification takes a few working days, so submit your English results early if you want a particular test date.

To book PLAB 2

No additional documents are required. You can only book PLAB 2 once you have passed PLAB 1, and the available dates appear in your GMC Online account. You must pass PLAB 2 within two years of the date you sat PLAB 1.

What to bring on the day

• Photo identification: A valid passport is the most common option. The GMC also accepts a UK immigration or Home Office travel document, a UK driving licence, or an EU identity card.
• Your booking confirmation: This must show your GMC reference number.
• A name match: If the name on your identification doesn’t match your booking, bring original proof that both names belong to you. This can be a marriage certificate or a declaration from the awarding body that granted your medical qualification.

If you don’t have acceptable identification on the day, you can still take the exam. You’ll need to provide it later, and the venue will take a photograph and your signature.

Conclusion

Choosing where to give the PLAB 1 exam is one of the first decisions you’ll make, and it affects your travel plans, your costs, and how quickly you can book. Check your GMC Online account regularly for new dates and centres, and keep an eye on the Chennai closure if you’re planning to test in India from February 2027 onwards.

PLAB 2 is different since it is held only in Manchester, so your focus should be on your visa, your travel, and the booking window that opens once you’ve passed PLAB 1. Keep your confirmation letter with your visa paperwork, and check your reporting time and venue as soon as your booking is confirmed.