MBBS Abroad Migration 2025: Cost, Quality & Shift in Indian Medical Education

MBBS Abroad Migration in Numbers

A rising trend has been observed for MBBS Abroad migration. This is a big shift in Indian medical education. But why is this phenomenon? Is it the cost of medical education in India or the quality of medical colleges back home.

The Big Reason? A massive shortfall in seats and unaffordable tuition in India’s private medical colleges.

Every year, between 30,000 to 40,000 Indian students leave India for the MBBS Abroad program. Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi has acknowledged this migration, emphasising that over 25,000 Indian youth go overseas annually for medical education. This trend has exponentially increased over the past decade, especially after the introduction of the NEET (National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test) in 2016-2017 and steep fee hikes at private medical colleges in India.

For example, Russia alone saw the number of Indian medical students increase from about 12,500 in 2019 to nearly 25,000 in 2023.

Overall, the number of Indian students taking the mandatory FMGE licensing exam grew from 6,170 in 2009 to 21,351 in 2018, reflecting the surge in those returning with foreign medical degrees.

Post-2017, with NEET mandatory even for abroad admissions, the migration increased further. Simply put, an MBBS abroad has become “the only viable path” for a significant subset of aspiring doctors who are unable to secure one of the limited seats in India’s medical colleges.

MBBS Abroad Cost and ROI Analysis

MBBS Abroad: Cost

One of the main reasons for the MBBS Abroad migration is the huge difference in cost between an Indian private medical education and an MBBS Abroad degree. The table below compares average MBBS program costs:

Program Type	Total MBBS Cost (Approx.)
Govt. College (India)	₹5–10 lakh
Private/Deemed (India)	₹80 lakh – ₹1.6 crore
MBBS in Russia	₹25–50 lakh
MBBS in Georgia	₹25–40 lakh
MBBS in Kazakhstan	₹25–45 lakh
MBBS in Bangladesh	₹30–60 lakh

MBBS abroad eliminates donation fees and keeps tuition within a reasonable range. For example, studying in Georgia or Russia can cost one-fourth of what a private Indian medical college would.

MBBS Abroad: ROI (Return on Investment)

Another angle to consider is return on investment (ROI).

A student who pays ₹1 crore (or more) for an Indian private college will graduate with significant debt or family financial strain, yet will earn roughly the same as any other junior doctor during their internship/residency.

In contrast, someone spending ₹30 lakh in, say, Georgia or Russia has a much lighter financial burden to recover. Over a 10–15 year post-graduation career, the latter’s ROI is arguably better, assuming they clear the licensing exams.

In essence, MBBS abroad has emerged as the new “middle-class route” to becoming a doctor, offering a chance at the degree without the “huge fees” of private colleges back home.

This financial logic is a primary motivator for many students heading overseas.

Quality Comparison for MBBS Abroad

Beyond cost, students and parents often evaluate the quality of education and clinical exposure offered by foreign medical universities. Many popular MBBS Abroad universities are indeed listed in the WHO Directory and FAIMER/World Directory of Medical Schools, meaning they are recognised institutions that fulfil baseline global standards.

Academic & Clinical Exposure Abroad

MBBS Abroad Academy

MBBS Abroad universities, particularly in Georgia, Nepal, and Russia, offer English-medium MBBS programs recognised by the WDOMS, WHO, and FAIMER. Many of them include:

• Early clinical exposure from Year 2 or 3
• Tie-ups with major hospitals
• Simulation labs and modern teaching methods

Student-to-faculty ratios in some of these schools can be favourable, and many have adopted modern teaching aids, e.g. digital anatomy labs and simulation centres, sometimes even superior to those in India’s government colleges.

However, quality varies. Students must carefully choose NMC-approved universities with solid infrastructure and transparent English-medium delivery. Language barriers in non-English countries (e.g., China, Ukraine, Russia) can affect clinical training. Poor hands-on experience is one reason FMGE pass rates differ so much.

MBBS Abroad Clinical Exposure

Clinical exposure, however, can vary widely by country and college.

Teaching hospital tie-ups are crucial: the best foreign universities have affiliated hospitals where students rotate through major departments (medicine, surgery, paediatrics, etc.). In countries like Russia, China, Bangladesh and others, large government hospitals (serving the local population) are attached to the universities, offering exposure to a broad case mix.

Indian students positively say that they observe complex cases and modern medical procedures during clinical rounds. For example, many Russian medical academies boast strong clinical infrastructure and hundreds of Indian students across batches, creating a supportive community and patient exposure with bilingual assistance.

Meanwhile, emerging MBBS Abroad destinations like Georgia, Kazakhstan or Uzbekistan have been investing in improving their medical training facilities, with some universities offering clinical rotations in multi-speciality hospitals and even opportunities to do electives in other countries.

Quality Varies among Universities and Destinations

Language Barriers:

• In non-English speaking countries (China, Russia, Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, etc.), students have to learn the local language to communicate with patients during clinical years.
• The hospital staff and patients mainly speak Mandarin, Russian, Ukrainian, etc., which can limit how much an Indian student actually interacts or gains hands-on experience.
• Many foreign graduates report this as a reason for weaker clinical skills or difficulty in the Indian screening exams later.

Varying Quality of Universities:

• Not all schools have the same rigour.
• Some abroad colleges (especially newer or lower-tier ones) might lack adequate cadaver dissection in anatomy or have shorter clinical rotations than required.
• A few top universities in, say, Georgia or Russia deliver excellent training (and even show high FMGE pass rates), while many lesser-known colleges may offer only below-par education.
• It becomes necessary for students to research accreditation and hands-on training quality

FMGE Pass Rate Analysis

A critical measure of outcomes for MBBS Abroad graduates is the FMGE (Foreign Medical Graduate Examination). The FMGE is a highly competitive screening test that all MBBS Abroad degree holders must pass to practice in India.

Historically, the overall pass rates have been dismal, often in the range of 10–25% overall. This means only about one-fifth (or less) of the Indian students who earn MD/MBBS degrees abroad manage to clear the exam on return, a statistic that raises concern about training quality and exam preparedness. However, pass rates vary significantly by country and even by university.

In FMGE 2024, out of 79,000 candidates who appeared, only 20,382 (25.8%) passed.

The FMGE 2024 Pass Rate of a Few Select Countries:

Rank	Country	Total Appeared	Total Passed	Pass Percentage
1	Nepal	2,500	1,100	44.00%
2	Uzbekistan	490	195	40.00%
3	Georgia	3,500	1,200	34.29%
4	Ukraine	9,500	3,100	32.63%
5	Bangladesh	3,400	1,100	32.35%
6	Russia	11,000	3,200	29.09%
7	Kazakhstan	7,000	1,900	27.14%
8	Kyrgyzstan	7,500	1,800	24.00%
10	China	16,000	3,100	19.38%

Overall, FMGE remains tough: in 2024, only 25.8% of candidates cleared it, meaning 3 out of 4 foreign grads failed. However, pass rates vary significantly by country and even by university.

The data from the National Board of Examinations (NBEMS) explains these disparities. In 2022, for example, Indian graduates from Bangladesh fared the best, with about 45% passing. Graduates from Nepal also tend to do well, with pass rates often in the mid-20s per cent (since Bangladesh and Nepal’s teaching and exam style is very close to India’s).

On the other hand, countries like China have very low pass percentages, e.g. only 15.5% of candidates from Chinese universities passed in 2022, which is unsurprising as Chinese programs have language barriers and differences in disease profiles.

Russia and Georgia typically see pass rates around 20-30% in recent years.

Student Demographics

Who are these students, and why do they choose MBBS Abroad?

Data and surveys suggest a very distinct profile. Most Indian students pursuing MBBS Abroad come from middle-class families, mostly from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities (as opposed to metros), especially those who can’t afford a ₹1+ crore seat in a private college and also have insufficient marks in the NEET UG exam for a government seat. Their NEET scores come in the range of roughly 170 to 500 out of 720

• Lower fees & no donation
• Direct admission post-NEET
• English-medium programs
• Avoiding repeat NEET attempts

A career counsellor said that “deserving candidates are often left behind due to high cut-offs or unaffordable fees, and MBBS Abroad has become the safety valve for these aspirants“

Many are first-generation medical aspirants, driven by passion and limited by cost or competition.

Why So Many Indian Students Choose to Study MBBS Abroad

Thousands of Indian students go abroad every year to study medicine. But why? Here are some simple reasons, based on what students and experts have shared:

Lower Cost, No Donation

• Studying MBBS abroad is much cheaper than in private medical colleges in India.
• Many Indian colleges ask for ₹1 crore or more, something a middle-class family just can’t afford.
• But abroad, you can get your MBBS in ₹30-40 lakh, and there’s no donation or capitation fee.
• Admissions are mostly based on your NEET qualification and basic eligibility, with no hidden costs.

Direct Admission, Less Competition

• In India, only about 4-5% of NEET candidates get a government MBBS seat.
• Private college competition is also very high.
• Abroad, if you meet the eligibility and apply on time, you get the seat, it’s that simple.
• No long counselling rounds or entrance exams again. This gives peace of mind to students who don’t want to waste years repeating NEET.

English-Medium Education

• Many foreign universities teach MBBS entirely in English, like in Nepal, Georgia, Russia and Eastern Europe.
• This is a big plus for Indian students who are not comfortable studying in Hindi or regional languages.
• Also, English-medium education helps with FMGE and international exams like USMLE.
• Even in countries like Nepal and Bangladesh, most classes are in English.

Easier Entry After NEET

• Some students find Physics and Chemistry tough in the NEET.
• They feel that once they pass the NEET and go abroad, the pressure will be a bit lower compared to the Indian system.
• This isn’t always true; foreign universities also have tough exams, but this belief still motivates many to go abroad.

Global Exposure & Peer Support

• Many students want to explore the world, live in a new culture, and get international exposure.
• Also, if someone from their town or school is already studying abroad, like in Georgia, Russia, or Uzbekistan, they feel more confident to follow the same path.
• Having a big Indian student community in some universities is also a comfort for parents.

First-Generation Doctors

• Most students who go abroad are the first in their family to study medicine.
• Their parents aren’t doctors but are deeply committed to helping their child become one.
• They see studying abroad not as a choice, but as the only way forward after Indian options become too expensive or competitive.

The Role of Agents and Misinformation

As more Indian students go abroad to study MBBS, a big industry of agents and consultancies has grown around it. While some are honest and helpful, many are misleading or even fraudulent. Because there are no strict rules for these consultants, students and parents often fall into traps.

Here’s what you need to know:

Fake College Rankings & Misleading Info

• Some Counsellors/agents will call an average college “world-famous” or say it’s “NMC-approved” (which is not even a real thing).
• Just because a college is listed in the World Directory of Medical Sciences (WDOMS) or is NMC-approved doesn’t mean it is of high quality.
• In many cases, students later find that the college has very low FMGE pass rates or poor facilities.

False Promises of English Medium

• Many MBBS counsellors/agents say, “All classes are in English.”
• But after students arrive, they find lectures and clinical work are in local languages like Russian or Chinese.
• This makes it very hard to learn and understand.
• This has happened in countries like Ukraine, China, and even Kyrgyzstan.

Lies About Passing FMGE Easily

Some agents falsely promise:

• “You won’t have to take FMGE”
• or “Pass rate is 80%- don’t worry!”

The truth is: All Indian students must pass FMGE to practice in India. And real pass rates are usually much lower. Don’t fall for fake data.

Hidden Charges & Admission Scams

• There have been serious fraud cases where agents took lakhs of rupees and never got students admitted.
• In one case, families paid for MBBS in Spain, but students reached Europe and found out their admission and visa were fake.
• Some were shifted to poor-quality colleges after being promised “top universities.”
• Every year, new frauds are reported.

Uncontrolled Ads & Fake Testimonials

• Anyone can claim to be an “MBBS abroad expert” and advertise on social media.
• Some even use fake reviews and paid testimonials to attract students.
• They may push you toward colleges that are blacklisted or don’t meet NMC rules.
• Example: Saying a 4-year course is valid in India, but NMC requires 5+ years.

How to Stay Safe

Here’s how students and parents can protect themselves:

• Verify college details on the official NMC website.
• Check FMGE pass rates of that country and university.
• Talk to Indian students currently studying there.
• Contact the Indian Embassy in that country for advice.
• Be cautious of “guaranteed” admissions and too-good-to-be-true offers.

Studying MBBS abroad can be a great opportunity, but only if you’re careful. Not all agents or counsellors are frauds, but you must do your own research. Use trusted sources, talk to real students, and don’t make rash decisions.

How to Make MBBS Abroad Safer and Better for Indian Students

As more and more Indian students go abroad for MBBS, there are important steps that the government, NMC, and other authorities can take to make the process safer, clearer, and more student-friendly:

Check Foreign Colleges More Strictly

Earlier the Medical Council of India (MCI) used to reguraly publish the list of verified medical colleges or university of abroad. This policy was discontinued after the National Medical Commission (NMC) came into existence in place of MCI.

What policy should be changed:

• NMC must regularly publish the list of verified and recognised MBBS abroad colleges.
• NMC should check quality, not just recognition.
• Work with foreign governments to create a list of recommended colleges.
• Look at things like FMGE pass rate, curriculum quality, faculty, and facilities.
• Warn students about colleges with very poor track records.

Not all colleges are good, NMC should help students pick better ones.

Control and Certify Education Agents

Many fake or greedy agents are misleading students with false promises.

What can be done:

• Government should certify trusted consultants.
• Agents should give real information about course duration, fees, language of teaching, and FMGE pass rate.
• If they lie, there should be a penalty.
• Awareness campaigns can guide students to apply directly or via trusted sources.

Only verified and honest agents should be allowed to operate.

Help Students Prepare for FMGE

FMGE pass rates are low, which means students need better support to pass the licensing exam in India.

How to help:

• Start online coaching or revision classes (especially in the 4th or 5th year abroad).
• Offer subsidized FMGE coaching for returning students.
• Some state governments already do this. It is time to make it nationwide.

Stronger Embassy Support & Advisories

Indian embassies in countries like Russia, China, Georgia, etc. should help more actively.

What can embassies do:

• Post updated advisories on medical colleges, good and bad.
• Share tips and alerts on scams or issues.
• Set up an Education Helpline or appoint a contact person to guide Indian students.
• During crises (like war or pandemic), embassies should step in, as they did during COVID and the Ukraine war.

Embassies should guide and protect students abroad, not just during emergencies.

Add More MBBS Seats & Scholarships in India

In the long run, the best solution is to reduce the need to go abroad.

What needs to happen:

• The government plans to add 75,000 MBBS seats in 5 years, this must be done with good quality.
• Private college fees should be regulated.
• Give more scholarships or education loans for deserving students.
• If students still go abroad, help them financially but only if they choose approved and quality colleges.

In short: Make MBBS in India more affordable and accessible so fewer students are forced to go abroad.

Recommendations & Policy Gaps

1. Accreditation Overhaul: NMC should rank or rate foreign colleges based on quality, not just list them.
2. Consultant Regulation: Introduce a certification system for education agents.
3. FMGE/NExT Prep Support: Launch online Indian-syllabus bridge courses for students abroad.
4. Transparent Embassy Advisory: Embassies should publish annual lists of reputable and risky universities.
5. Expand Indian MBBS Access: Increase public seats and regulate private fees to reduce migration.

The migration of Indian students abroad for MBBS is not just a trend, it’s a systemic shift caused by domestic shortcomings. With better policy, transparency, and student guidance, this pathway can transform from a desperate escape to a well-planned route to becoming a competent global doctor. Instead of lamenting the outflow, India must adapt, support its students abroad, and focus on expanding access at home. The goal should be safe, affordable, quality medical education for all, no matter where it’s pursued.