Fierce competition for MBBS seats in India, with 23 lakh students competing for just 1.2 lakh seats, along with soaring private college fees, is driving thousands of Indian students to pursue medical education overseas.
An increasing number of Indian students are turning to foreign universities for medical education as domestic hurdles, particularly limited MBBS seats and steep private college fees continue to make studying medicine in India a challenging prospect.
Over 23 lakh students appeared for the NEET-UG exam this year, competing for just around 1.09 lakh MBBS seats available in India.
Of these, roughly 55,000 are in government colleges, while the rest fall under the private sector, where tuition can cost anywhere from ₹50 lakh to ₹1 crore. For many families, this makes medical education at home financially unfeasible.
In contrast, many foreign medical universities, particularly in Russia, China, Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, the Philippines, and Guyana, offer MBBS degrees at a significantly lower cost, typically between ₹15 lakh and ₹35 lakh for the full course.
These institutions also admit students based on their NEET qualification and Class 12 results, with no requirement for large donations or capitation fees, which are common in India’s private colleges.
The Philippines has emerged as an especially attractive destination, now offering 14-day visa-free entry to Indian citizens.
This change has made it easier for students and their families to explore campuses, complete admission procedures, and settle in without bureaucratic delays. With more than 2,500 Indian students enrolling each year, the Philippines is now among the top five choices for Indian medical aspirants.
The appeal of international universities also lies in their infrastructure, globally relevant curricula, and exposure to multicultural clinical environments. Some universities, like those in Guyana, even follow US-based syllabi and offer degrees with international recognition.
However, Indian students who pursue their MBBS abroad must pass the Foreign Medical Graduates Examination (FMGE) upon returning to India to be eligible to practise.
Despite the growing number of students appearing for the FMGE rising from around 6,000 in 2009 to over 21,000 in 2018 pass rates remain below 20%, highlighting the importance of choosing credible institutions.
According to career consultants, students and parents are advised to thoroughly research a university’s recognition status, licensing outcomes, and quality of clinical training before committing to an overseas program.
With approximately 30,000 to 40,000 students heading abroad each year to pursue medical education, the trend underscores a pressing need for more accessible, affordable medical seats within India to curb the outbound rush.
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