NEW DELHI: Many realized the fact that the number of Indian students studying in Ukraine came to the notice of many probably after the start of the Russia-Ukraine war. With fewer seats in India and higher fees in private colleges, most Indian students opt for countries such as Ukraine and China to study medicine. According to the government, 95 percent of students appearing for the NEET are unable to pursue medical education in India. It is common for such people to either take other courses or join repeat entrance courses. Another section of students will go to countries like Ukraine and China for medical education.

According to the Department of Education of Ukraine, there are 18,095 Indian students studying medicine there. In 2020, 24 percent of foreign students studying medicine in Ukraine were Indians. Medical education in Ukraine is much cheaper than in India. While medical education in India is relatively inexpensive in government institutions, the expenses are likely to go above Rs 1 crore in the private sector. But even at the top universities in Ukraine, medical fees are at least 17 lakh to 20 lakh lower than in India. Even the facilities available there are better. The fact that the language used for learning is English is also convenient for Indian students.

But Ukraine and China are not the only countries that are ready to provide low-cost medical education to Indian students. According to education experts, about 20 countries have reserved seats for Indians in this way. According to official records, Indian students are studying in neighboring countries such as Nepal and China, as well as in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.

However, the National Medical Commission, which conducted the study, found that there was no similarity between the syllabus, the study methods and the course duration for the courses in some foreign countries. The NMC had also found that most foreign universities did not even have a four-year course duration. Thereafter, a four-and-a-half-year period of study was made compulsory in the terms of the National Board of Examinations Foreign Medical Graduate Exam Certificate required for those pursuing medical education in foreign universities to practice in India. Since then, several universities in the Philippines, Tashkent and Armenia have extended the duration of their courses to four and a half years. But only Indian students study in such universities.

The NMC recently found that only Indian students study in most universities in Kyrgyzstan and that there are other universities where Kyrgyz students study. Authorities also advise parents to be clear about their modes of study, before sending their students to such universities.

Those who have studied medicine in foreign universities are required to pass the National Board of Examinations Foreign Medical Graduate Examination upon arrival in India. If they pass this exam, they will get a license to practice in India.

About 4000 candidates appear for this examination every year. But only around 700 pass the exam to get license to practice in India.