Lucknow: Approximately 25,000 Indian students, including 8,000 from Uttar Pradesh, enroll for medical courses overseas every year. Admission continues in most universities of Russia and eastern Europe until Sep, following the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET).CEO of Moxsh Overseas Educon Ltd, Dhananjay Shah, attributes this preference to budget constraints, National Medical Commission (NMC) regulations disapproving programs in the Philippines and the Caribbean, and geopolitical factors like unavailability of Ukraine and challenges in Kyrgyzstan. “Parental decisions hinge on budget constraints, NMC regulations, disapproving programs in the Philippines and the Caribbean, and geopolitical factors such as the unavailability of Ukraine and challenges in Kyrgyzstan,” said Shah.Russia has about 4,500 Indian students enrolled in its medical universities, which include popular institutions like First Moscow State Medical University and Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University. Safety concerns, especially post-Ukraine conflict, significantly influence students’ preferences for universities in and around Moscow.“The cost of MBBS in Indian private colleges is between Rs 60 lakh and Rs 1 crore, so students who don’t want to reappear for NEET and have a limited budget prefer to pursue studies abroad. Mostly, students like me come from the middle class,” said Karna Kapoor, a resident of Kapoorthala, who is planning to enroll in a Russian university.Experts note that following Russia, Kazakhstan attracts around 3,500 Indian students due to its budget-friendly medical education options, costing from Rs 35 lakh to Rs 50 lakh. China also hosts about 1,200 Indian students for similar reasons. Additionally, Georgia has gained popularity, with 4,000 Indian students opting for medical programs.Raj Gupta from Med Edu Consultancy in Hazratganj explained, “Around 70% of UP students choose Russia for its lower fee and govt oversight of medical colleges, minimizing fraud risks. Those unable to secure Russian placements opt for Kazakhstan.”Gupta said students preferred to study abroad because like graduates from Indian private medical colleges, they should now pass the National Exit Test (NExT) and complete an additional internship in India to practice. “Since there is no difference in giving NExT, hence students are going abroad,” he added.Dr Ashish Mahindra from Aradhya Consultancy in Lucknow advises prospective students to thoroughly research universities, understand program cost, and stay updated on regulatory changes. NMC has recently introduced stringent rules requiring MBBS courses abroad to be entirely taught in English over six years, including 54 months of theory and one year of internship in the host country.“Pre-med courses in the Philippines are no longer recognized, and graduates must now pass the NExT exam and undergo a stipend-supported internship in India to obtain a medical licence. Students should visit an authentic website before taking admission,” said Dr. Mahindra.
