Indian students choose Middle East for MBBS: But can they practise back home?
Every year, thousands of Indian students travel abroad to pursue medical education due to limited seats and high costs in Indian private colleges. The Middle East-especially the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Egypt-has emerged as a preferred destination, thanks to affordability, proximity, and cultural familiarity.According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), over 7.59 lakh Indian students were studying abroad in 2024. While the MEA doesn't publish course-wise data, anecdotal trends and embassy records confirm that MBBS is among the top streams in countries like the UAE, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.advertisementWHY THE MIDDLE EAST?"We couldn't afford Rs.1 crore in a private college in India. In Oman, the entire course cost us half," says Alisha Gupta, whose daughter is in her second year at a Muscat-based college.
Here's why the Gulf is attractive:Lower cost compared to Indian private medical collegesNo donation or capitation feeNEET-qualified students are eligibleCultural familiarity, Indian food availability, and proximity to homeSafer cities and regulated campus life, especially appealing for parents of female studentsINDIA VS MIDDLE EAST: MBBS COST & SEAT COMPARISON
MBBS SEATS IN INDIAAs per National Medical Commission (2024) data:Total MBBS seats in India: ~108,915Government colleges: ~56,000 seatsPrivate colleges/deemed universities: ~52,000 seatsOver 21 lakh students appeared for NEET in 2024, competing for ~56,000 affordable government seats. That's 1 seat for every ~375 aspirants.WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THESE STUDENTS RETURN TO INDIA?advertisementThe National Medical Commission (NMC) governs how foreign medical graduates (FMGs) can practise in India. As per its latest regulations, here's what students must complete to become eligible:ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR FOREIGN MEDICAL GRADUATES (FMGS)NEET Qualification Before AdmissionMandatory since May 2018Acts as an eligibility certificate for studying MBBS abroadMedical Degree from a Recognised InstitutionThe foreign medical university must be listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS).NMC doesn't pre-approve universities is the student's responsibility to verify compliance.Pass the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE)Conducted by the National Board of Examinations (NBE), twice a year.Mandatory for obtaining provisional or permanent registration in India.The average pass rate between 2015-2022 ranges between 11-23%, depending on country of graduation.Complete a 12-Month Internship in IndiaFMGs must do a mandatory one-year internship in India, even if they've done one abroad.As per NMC's December 2023 notification, the internship must be completed in an NMC-approved hospital.The maximum internship fee is ?5,000 per month."The internship ensures returning students understand Indian medical practices and public health needs," says an NMC public statement (2023).FMG LICENSING SNAPSHOT (NMC + NBE DATA)
WHAT SHOULD STUDENTS KEEP IN MIND?Verify university status in the World Directory of Medical Schools.Prepare for the FMGE exam, which has a low pass rate.Budget 1 extra year for the internship in India post-degree.Keep all documents, mark sheets, and proof of clinical training ready for NMC evaluation.Studying MBBS in the Middle East may be affordable and accessible but to practise in India, there is no shortcut. Students must clear NEET, FMGE, and do a one-year internship in an NMC-recognised hospital.
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