As the number of NEET-UG candidates reached nearly 23 lakh in 2025, the pressure on India’s limited MBBS seats continues to push many students to explore medical colleges abroad. With only about 1.1 lakh seats available across the country, the dream of becoming a doctor within India is becoming harder to achieve for many young aspirants.

Out of the total MBBS seats in India, only around 55,000 are in government colleges, where tuition is more affordable. The intense fight for these limited slots means that even students with high scores often struggle to get admission.

Those who miss out face two choices: expensive private colleges or studying medicine in a foreign country. For many, the second option is becoming more appealing and more common.

Experts believe this shift isn’t always about preference, but often about a lack of other options.

“Studying abroad can ease the academic pressure typical of the Indian medical entrance system,” said a medical education consultant.

Arunesh Kumar, Country Head - India & South East Asia at Manipal’s American University of Antigua (AUA) College of Medicine, explained that international medical programs often have more flexible admission criteria. “They consider a student’s overall academic profile, language skills, extracurricular achievements, and interview performance,” he said.

Apart from easier access, foreign universities attract students with high-quality infrastructure, updated curriculums, and early chances to work in hospitals. Some Caribbean medical schools, for example, allow students to complete basic education on campus and later do clinical training in hospitals across the United States. This setup helps students meet people from different cultures and prepares them to work in global healthcare systems.

Accreditation plays a key role in choosing an international college. Many universities abroad are listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS) and are recognised by global and regional bodies like the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME), the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG), and the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and other Health Professions (CAAM-HP).

This recognition helps graduates take licensing exams like USMLE (for the U.S.) or PLAB (for the UK), opening doors for careers in countries such as the U.S., UK, or Canada.

While studying overseas comes with its own challenges, like adjusting to new cultures and passing international licensing tests, experts say it’s still a smart move for many students.

“For those unable to secure domestic seats or those aiming for global careers, it's not a fallback - it's a forward-looking decision,” said the consultant.

As the number of NEET aspirants continues to grow, so does the number of students looking beyond borders to follow their medical dreams.

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