NEW DELHI: Lack of enough seats is afflicting India’s medical colleges. Students are moving Abroad To Study MBBS despite the Budget 2025 setting a target of creating 10,000 seats next year to add to the existing 100,000. Also, with more students than ever looking for a career in medicine, the field is getting increasingly competitive.
Students are viewing international medical colleges as a practical option. Countries like Georgia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, and Bangladesh have emerged as a preferred option for Indian medical students.
Data suggest that around 40,000 Indian students join medical colleges overseas every year. With the NEET UG 2025 application process already started, the number of students choosing to pursue medical education abroad is expected to increase even more.
Government colleges charge as low as ₹10,000 annually, while private education in India can exceed ₹1 crore for the entire course. About 25 Lakh students registered for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for admission to undergraduate medical courses in 2024, which is expected to increase this year.
The reason for these trends
- Intense Competition for Limited Medical Seats in India
- Cost-Effective Education Abroad
- Global Exposure and Better Clinical Experience
- Ease of Admission and No Entrance Exams
- Growing Recognition of Foreign Medical Degrees
Getting an MBBS degree overseas offers a pragmatic solution to these challenges, providing them with a cost-effective, high-quality education that can help them achieve their goals of becoming doctors. As more students continue to explore these international opportunities, the trend of Indian medical students studying abroad is likely to grow further in the coming years.