The demand to study MBBS abroad for Indian students has risen significantly in recent years, with an estimated 20-30 thousand Indian students flying to pursue overseas medical education. As per the official data from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the National Board of Examinations (NBE), more than 23 lakh students appeared for the Neet UG exam in 2025, competing for admission to Indian institutions for over 1.8 lakh seats (as of mid-2025).
The data shows that there is a limited availability of MBBS seats in India, with intense competition in the NEET Exam to score high. As a result, about 20-40 thousand students from India are choosing to pursue their MBBS from other countries. While Ukraine was a top choice for MBBS abroad among Indian students, the shift in the geopolitical landscape influenced decision-making, with students choosing countries like MBBS in Russia, MBBS in Georgia, MBBS in Uzbekistan, the Philippines, and more.
Many Indian students consider pursuing an MBBS degree better in other countries due to the increased competition for public universities and higher tuition fees in Indian institutions.