In recent years, MBBS abroad has become a popular choice for Indian medical aspirants. With limited seats and high competition in India, thousands of students look to countries like Russia, Nepal, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Bangladesh, and Armenia for affordable and globally recognized medical education.
This article provides a comprehensive analysis of admission trends, growth patterns, and country-specific statistics to help students and parents understand the evolving MBBS abroad landscape.
Several factors have contributed to the increasing number of Indian students going abroad for MBBS:
Limited MBBS seats in India: Only ~100,000 seats vs 2 million+ NEET applicants.
High cost in private colleges: ₹50 lakhs to ₹1 crore in India vs ₹20–45 lakhs abroad.
NMC recognition and global opportunities.
Modern infrastructure and clinical exposure abroad.
No entrance exam (except NEET) for most abroad universities.
| Year | Approx. Indian Students Abroad |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 12,000 |
| 2016 | 14,500 |
| 2017 | 18,000 |
| 2018 | 23,000 |
| 2019 | 28,000 |
| 2020 | 25,000 (COVID impact) |
| 2021 | 30,000 |
| 2022 | 35,000 |
| 2023 | 45,000 |
| 2024 | 50,000+ (Projected) |
2023 intake: ~12,000 Indian students
Growth: 15% YoY increase
Why popular:
6-year English-medium course
NMC-approved universities
Strong Indo-Russian relations
Top Universities:
Kazan Federal University
Bashkir State Medical University
Volgograd State Medical University
Trends:
Most students from North & South India
60% choose September intake
2023 intake: ~6,000 Indian students
Why popular:
No visa/passport required
Indian syllabus and NMC-compliant
Easy cultural adaptation
Top Colleges:
Kathmandu Medical College
B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences
Trends:
90% of students qualify NEET in first attempt
High preference among students from UP, Bihar, West Bengal
2023 intake: ~5,000 Indian students
Growth: Steady 8–10% YoY
Why popular:
EU education standards
Affordable fee structure
Modern facilities & small batches
Top Universities:
Tbilisi State Medical University
Georgian National University (SEU)
Trends:
Growing female student ratio
Most enroll through private agencies
2023 intake: ~3,500 Indian students
Why popular:
Very low tuition fees (₹18–25 lakhs total)
NMC-approved colleges
Medium-level infrastructure
Top Universities:
Osh State University
Kyrgyz State Medical Academy
Trends:
Popular among budget-conscious families
Preference from Rajasthan, Maharashtra, MP students
2023 intake: ~4,500 Indian students
Why growing:
Affordable cost
Good weather and living standards
Most colleges follow Indian pattern
Top Universities:
Astana Medical University
Al-Farabi Kazakh National University
Trends:
Students increasingly opting for 6-year programs to meet NMC norms
2023 intake: ~7,000 Indian students
Why preferred:
NMC-approved with high FMGE pass rates
Similar curriculum and disease patterns
No language barrier
Top Colleges:
Dhaka National Medical College
Enam Medical College
Trends:
Only NEET-qualified students with high marks are eligible
Tougher admission process compared to other countries
2023 intake: ~2,000 Indian students
Why rising:
Safe and affordable
English-medium education
Friendly immigration policies
Top Universities:
Yerevan State Medical University
Mkhitar Gosh University
Trends:
Popular among South Indian and Northeast students
Steady rise due to NMC rule alignment
| Country | Main Intake | Alternate Intake |
|---|---|---|
| Russia | September | February (limited) |
| Nepal | August/Sept | None |
| Georgia | March, Sept | Few Jan intakes |
| Kyrgyzstan | Sept | Jan (few univ) |
| Kazakhstan | Sept | Feb (few univ) |
| Bangladesh | Sept/Oct | None |
| Armenia | Sept | Feb (select univ) |
Note: Students should start applying at least 4–6 months in advance to secure admission and visa on time.
NEET 2024 applicants: 24 lakh+
Seats in Indian Govt MBBS colleges: ~55,000
Private MBBS seats: ~45,000 (with high cost)
Total MBBS aspirants not getting a seat in India: 75–80%
Estimated 50,000+ students choose MBBS abroad every year
| Country | FMGE Pass % (2023) |
|---|---|
| Bangladesh | 35–40% |
| Nepal | 30–35% |
| Russia | 18–22% |
| Georgia | 15–20% |
| Kyrgyzstan | 14–18% |
| Kazakhstan | 16–19% |
| Armenia | 18–21% |
Bangladesh and Nepal continue to lead in FMGE performance due to similarity in curriculum and clinical training.
~40% MBBS abroad aspirants are female
Top source states: UP, Bihar, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Rajasthan
Increasing preference among Tier 2 and Tier 3 city students
20–25% students return home post-MBBS for PG or clinical practice
Clear FMGE/NExT and practice in India
Appear for NEET PG
Apply for PG abroad (USMLE, PLAB, AMC)
Settle abroad through local exams
Work in NGOs, government bodies, or research
70–80% students apply through consultants
Key services include:
Admission guidance
Visa and travel support
Hostel and food arrangement
FMGE/NExT coaching tie-ups
Parents must choose verified and experienced consultants only.
The rise in MBBS abroad admissions is not a trend—it’s a transition. With evolving NMC norms, global opportunities, and increasing awareness, Indian students are finding quality medical education across borders. Countries like Russia, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Georgia continue to lead the race due to infrastructure, NMC compliance, affordability, and safety.
If you’re planning an MBBS abroad journey, use these trends and statistics to make a confident, informed choice. The right decision today leads to a successful medical career tomorrow.