In India, over 20 lakh NEET aspirants compete each year for just over one lakh medical seats, leaving countless students’ dreams of becoming doctors out of reach. As government medical colleges provide limited seats, while private institutions often impose exorbitant fees, sometimes soaring to ₹1 crore for an MBBS degree.
This fierce competition and high cost have driven a record number of Indian students, estimated at 25,000 to 40,000 each year, to seek MBBS opportunities abroad. In 2025, studying MBBS abroad has become more popular and accessible than ever, offering affordable education, global exposure, and pathways to a medical career both in India and internationally.
Why Are Indian Students Choosing MBBS Abroad?
Here are the key points comparing MBBS Abroad (Government/Top Public Universities) and MBBS in Indian Private Medical Colleges, highlighting why Indian students are increasingly choosing to study MBBS abroad:
Tuition Fees:
- Abroad: ₹2–5 lakhs per year, making it significantly more affordable.
- Indian Private Medical Colleges: ₹8–₹25 lakhs per year, with total costs often reaching ₹80 lakhs to ₹1.2 crores due to high tuition and additional donation fees.
Admission Competition:
- Abroad: Moderate, requiring only NEET qualification; less competitive due to more available seats.
- Indian Private Medical Colleges: High, requiring NEET plus the ability to pay high fees; intense competition due to limited seats.
Course Duration:
- Abroad: 5–6 years, including internship, similar to Indian standards.
- Indian Private Medical Colleges: 5.5 years, including internship.
Medium of Instruction:
- Abroad: Mostly English, ensuring accessibility for Indian students.
- Indian Private Medical Colleges: English.
MNC (Medical Council) Approval:
- Abroad: Required for eligibility to practice in India; universities should be recognized by NMC/MCI, WHO, etc.
- Indian Private Medical Colleges: Yes, already approved.
Licensing Exam Practice in India:
- Abroad: NExT/Foreign Medical Graduate Exam (FMGE) is required to practice medicine in India.
- Indian Private Medical Colleges: NExT required.
Batch Size:
- Abroad: 15–20 students per group, allowing for better student-teacher interaction.
- Indian Private Medical Colleges: 100–150 students per class, often leading to overcrowded classrooms.
Scholarships:
- Abroad: Generally not available.
- Indian Private Medical Colleges: Rarely available.
Return on Investment (ROI):
- Abroad: Moderate to high, due to lower fees and global exposure.
- Indian Private Medical Colleges: Low to moderate, due to high fees and slow job growth without specialization.
Is It Worth Doing MBBS from Abroad?
For many Indian students, MBBS abroad is a practical where dead bodies are provided to experiment and a rewarding alternative. The education quality in top NMC-approved foreign universities is on par with, or even superior to, many Indian private colleges. Students gain hands-on clinical experience, modern teaching methods, and a multicultural environment.
However, it’s crucial to choose recognized universities and be prepared for the National Exit Test (NExt) on returning to India. Its pass rates vary by country, so thorough research and preparation are essential.
Top Destinations in 2025
Here are the details from the table converted into clear points:
Russia
- Tuition Fees (Total): ₹25–35 lakhs
- Course Duration: 6 years, including an internship
- Medium of Instruction: English
Georgia
- Tuition Fees (Total): ₹30–40 lakhs
- Course Duration: 6 years, including an internship
- Medium of Instruction: English
China
- Tuition Fees (Total): ₹25–30 lakhs
- Course Duration: 5 years + 1 internship year
- Medium of Instruction: English
Kyrgyzstan
- Tuition Fees (Total): ₹15–20 lakhs
- Course Duration: 5 years + 1 internship year
- Medium of Instruction: English
Italy
- Tuition Fees (Total): ₹6–15 lakhs
- Course Duration: 6 years, including an internship
- Medium of Instruction: English
Germany
- Tuition Fees (Total): Low/No tuition (public universities)
- Course Duration: 6 years, 3 months + 1 year for language learning (for international students)
- Medium of Instruction: English
Nepal
- Tuition Fees (Total): ₹40–60 lakhs
- Course Duration: 4.5 years + 1 internship year
- Medium of Instruction: English
Eligibility Criteria for MBBS Abroad (2025)
- NEET Qualification: All Indian students must qualify for NEET to be eligible for MBBS admission, as per NMC guidelines.
- Academic Requirements: Minimum 50% in Physics, Chemistry, Biology in 12th standard (40% for reserved categories).
- Age Limit: Must be at least 17 years old by December 31 of the admission year.
- NMC-Approved University: Admission must be to an NMC-approved university to be eligible for NExT and to practice in India.
What If You Fail NEET?
- You cannot enroll in MBBS abroad to practice in India.
- If you pass NEET during your MBBS studies abroad, you become eligible to return and practice in India after clearing NExT.
- If you never pass NEET, you can still complete your MBBS abroad, but you must pursue a career or further studies in countries like Europe, China, Russia, the USA, or Germany, as you won’t be eligible to practice in India
After MBBS Abroad: Practicing in India
After graduating from an NMC-approved foreign university, Indian students must now clear the National Exit Test (NExT) to obtain a license to practice medicine in India. The NExT exam has replaced the previous Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) and NEET-PG, serving as a single, standardized licensure and postgraduate entrance exam for both Indian and foreign medical graduates.
Conclusion
Studying abroad in 2025 offers Indian students an affordable, high-quality alternative to the limited and costly options at home. With transparent admission processes and global exposure, thousands are led back each year. However, success depends on choosing the right, NMC-approved university, preparing for the NExT, and understanding all requirements. For those who qualify NEET but miss out on a government seat or can’t afford private college fees, MBBS abroad is a smart, viable pathway to a fulfilling medical dream with a trusted study abroad consultant like EduNirvana.
