Hyderabad: Approximately 25,000 Indian students, including those from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, enroll for medical courses overseas every year. Admission continues in most universities of Russia until September, following the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET).SG Consultancy Services, a premier consulting organization based in Hyderabad, is dedicated to providing quality guidance to students aspiring to study MBBS abroad and become doctors. Established in 2000 by renowned educationist Mr. Satish Babu Garikapati, SG Consultancy Services has grown to become India’s No.1 medical education consultancy, successfully guiding thousands of students to achieve their dreams.
Russia remains a top destination for Indian students due to its affordable education, with around 4,500 Indian students currently enrolled in its medical universities. Popular institutions include First Dagestan State Medical University (DSMU) and Chechen State University. Post- Russia conflict, students increasingly prefer universities in and around Moscow due to safety considerations.
The cost of MBBS in Indian private colleges ranges between ₹60 lakh and ₹1 crore. So, students who don’t want to reappear for NEET and belong to middle-class families, like me, prefer studying abroad,” said Karna Kapoor, a student planning to enroll in a Russian medical university.
Following Russia, Kazakhstan attracts around 3,500 Indian students with budget-friendly options, costing between ₹35 lakh to ₹50 lakh. China currently hosts around 1,200 Indian students, and Georgia has also seen a rise in popularity with approximately 4,000 Indian students enrolled in medical programs.
An official from SG Consultancy Services explained that Indian students opt for foreign MBBS programs because, regardless of where they graduate from—India or abroad—they must now pass the National Exit Test (NEXT) and complete a compulsory internship in India. “Since there’s no difference in licensing requirements, students prefer more affordable international options,” the official noted.
Prospective students are advised to thoroughly research universities, understand total program costs, and stay informed about National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines. The NMC now mandates that MBBS programs abroad must be six years long, fully taught in English, and include 54 months of academic learning along with a one-year internship in the host country. It is also crucial to avoid unrecognized courses. For instance, pre-medical programs in the Philippines are no longer recognized. Graduates from such programs must still pass the NEXT exam and complete a stipend-based internship in India to obtain a license.SG Consultancy Services encourages students to visit only official and verified websites before taking admission and offers expert counseling to help them make informed decisions about their future.
