Medical education faces a paradox—doctor shortages vs. limited access. In India, intense competition and high private tuition push students abroad, but returning doctors face tough NExT exams and internships. The government is expanding medical seats, while Indian institutions run colleges abroad. Globally, medical migration is rising due to seat shortages. Policy reforms and better regulation are needed to balance demand and quality.

Why is Medical Education Facing a Paradox? – Shortage of Doctors vs. Limited Access

Medical education around the world is facing a strange problem. There are not enough doctors, but at the same time, many governments and medical experts do not want to make it easier for more students to study medicine. Because of this, many students travel to other countries to study medicine.

In the past, medical education was more international, meaning students could study in different places more easily. Now, most countries have their own rules for medical education, but at the same time, medical studies are becoming more global. Since both individual countries and the world need more doctors, it is important to understand how medical education is changing.

 

What is the Impact of Medical Brain Drain on India’s Healthcare System?

The exact number of students studying medicine in other countries is not known, but experts believe that more than 200,000 students are learning in foreign medical schools. Some of these schools are in countries where the education quality is not very good.

Before the Russian invasion, Ukraine had 24,000 medical students from other countries, mostly from India. This shows that many students travel abroad to study medicine.

How Does the Indian Medical Education System Contribute to the Doctor Shortage?

India has a big gap in medical education. There are not enough doctors, but at the same time, too many students want to study medicine.

Every year, 2.3 million students take India’s medical entrance exam, but there are only 700+ medical colleges. Because of this, only one out of every 22 students gets a seat. This makes it very hard to get into medical college in India. 

Why Do Indian Students Choose Foreign Medical Education? – Push and Pull Factors

Because government medical seats are very limited and competition is very high, many Indian students go abroad to study medicine. Every year, over 20,000 Indian students travel to countries like Russia, pre-war Ukraine, Kazakhstan, the Philippines, China, Mauritius and Nepal to get their medical degrees.

The high tuition fees in private medical colleges in India make this problem worse. Many students find that studying in foreign medical colleges is a cheaper and better option.

What is India’s Role in Global Medical Education? – Influence of Indian Institutions

There are some foreign medical colleges where Indian students study are actually run by Indian organizations.

For example, the Manipal College of Medical Sciences in Nepal, started in 1994, is managed by the Manipal Education and Medical Group (MEMG), Bengaluru. Similarly, the American University of Antigua (AUA) College of Medicine, a Caribbean medical school, is also part of Manipal.

This shows that Indian educational groups are expanding to meet the growing demand for medical education abroad.

What Challenges Do Foreign Medical Graduates Face in India?

Studying medicine in another country can be challenging, especially for students who want to become doctors in India. If someone studies medicine abroad, they must pass a tough exam called the National Exit Test (NExT) before they can work as a doctor in India. They also need to complete an internship after coming back.

Similarly, Indian doctors who want to work in other countries must follow the rules set by that country. These rules exist because medical education is not the same everywhere and each country wants to make sure that doctors are well-trained before they treat patients.

How is the Indian Government Expanding Medical Education? – Budgetary and Policy Reforms

In the Union Budget 2025, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced major improvements in medical education in India. Over the last 10 years, the government has added 1.1 lakh new undergraduate and postgraduate medical seats, which is a 130% increase.

To further expand medical education, 10,000 more seats will be added in medical colleges and hospitals by 2026. This is part of a bigger plan to create 75,000 new medical seats over the next five years. The goal is to ensure that more students can study medicine and help meet the growing demand for doctors in India.

What is the Global Medical Migration Trend? – Movement Beyond the Global South

Many students from South Asia and Africa go abroad to study medicine, but this trend is not limited to these regions. Even students from France, Germany, the Netherlands and Norway move to other countries because there are not enough medical seats in their own.

Countries like Romania, Hungary and Poland have become popular choices, offering medical courses in English and other languages. For example, in Norway, a lack of government funding has led 3,000 Norwegian students to study medicine in Eastern Europe. Similarly, many students from the United States go to Hungary, Poland, Ireland, the Caribbean and the UK because of limited medical seats in their own country.

How Does Commercialization Impact Medical Education Quality? – The Profit-Driven Model

Many students from South Asia and Africa go to other countries to study medicine, but this also happens in Europe and the United States. In countries like France, Germany, the Netherlands and Norway, there are not enough medical seats, so students move abroad.

Romania, Hungary and Poland have become popular choices because they offer medical courses in English and other languages. In Norway, limited government funding has forced 3,000 Norwegian students to study in Eastern Europe. Similarly, many U.S. students go to Hungary, Poland, Ireland, the Caribbean and the UK to study medicine because of a shortage of seats in their home country.

What Policy Reforms are Needed to Balance Medical Education Demand and Quality?

India’s recent budget announcement shows that the government is recognizing the challenges in medical education access. However, expanding medical colleges is expensive and often faces resistance from established medical institutions that fear losing their elite status.

At the same time, the global population is aging, increasing the need for well-trained doctors. Many students are going abroad to study medicine, highlighting a demand that must be met without compromising quality. To tackle this, India needs better regulation, oversight and a well-planned expansion of its medical education system. 

PRACTICE QUESTION Q.Why do many Indian students pursue medical education abroad? Examine the implications for India’s healthcare system and suggest policy measures to address this trend. 250 Words.

Why is there a paradox in medical education?

There’s a doctor shortage, yet limited access to medical education due to high competition and costs. Many students go abroad but face tough licensing exams to return.

Why do Indian students study medicine abroad?

Limited government seats and high private tuition push students to countries like Russia, China and Nepal, where education is more affordable.

What challenges do foreign medical graduates face in India?

They must pass the NExT exam and complete an internship before practicing, making it tough to return and work in India.

How is the Indian government addressing the doctor shortage?

The government has added 1.1 lakh medical seats in 10 years and plans 10,000 more by 2026 to reduce dependence on foreign education.

How is medical migration impacting global healthcare?

Students from India, South Asia and Europe study in countries like Poland, Romania and Hungary, reshaping global medical education.

What reforms are needed in medical education?

Stronger regulation, funding and infrastructure are needed to expand medical education while maintaining quality.