The Centre estimates that 'Operation Ganga', an operation to evacuate stranded Indian students from war-torn Ukraine, could be completed in three days. More flights have been arranged to bring students from Ukraine to safer centers in neighbouring countries. While it is natural to be greatly relieved to have completed the evacuation, the anxiety and uncertainty about the future of children whose studies got interrupted is a challenge. It is reported that the central government and the Medical Council of India have started discussions on the matter. The main focus is on how to help children whose studies got interrupted. They are exploring the possibility of rehabilitating these students in medical colleges in India or abroad. It is important to ensure the future of the third year, fourth year and fifth year students. The first consideration will be to enable further study in any case. According to officials, the Medical Council, the Union Health Department and the NITI Aayog will meet to discuss the issue and take appropriate action. Such a situation has never been encountered before. The health ministry has made it clear that the government will come forward to support any decision taken by them. The authorities will also look into whether the Indian medical students from Ukraine will be allowed to attend medical colleges in other countries. These are things that do not usually happen.

Graduates from foreign medical universities can practice in India only after passing a special examination conducted by the Medical Council. With each passing year, the number of Indian students arriving in this manner is increasing. About 2,000 Indian students from China alone wrote the qualifying exam last year. As per the current rules, medical students studying abroad are not eligible to join midway in any medical college in India for further study. It will be possible only if the law is changed. The future of the medical students from Ukraine depends on the decision of the Centre and the Medical Council, given the situation in which thousands of students have had to return from Ukraine.

Meanwhile, some groups in the country have launched a planned move against NEET, the unified entrance test for medical admissions. Those who are opposing NEET are alleging that thousands of children are being forced to study abroad because of NEET. It is a universally accepted fact that those who score high in any competitive examination get admission. Ease in getting admission and relatively low cost of study are the major factors that are forces a large number of students to seek admission in foreign universities.More medical colleges must be set up and fees should be set at affordable rates to ensure that students join for medical education in India rather than moving abroad. Let those who are opposing NEET exams come forward for it.