Are you Qualified in NEET with good percentile but didn’t get admission in India, and confused between NEET long term or other course. However there are other paths as well to achieve your MBBS dream instead of taking another course and spending another year of your time on NEET long term coaching, that is MBBS abroad.
Why MBBS abroad
MBBS abroad has become a popular choice among Indian medical aspirants due to the limited number of MBBS seats in India and the high tuition fees of private medical colleges.
MBBS seats Vs MBBS aspirants
Every year the number of aspiring medical students has been increasing, However the MBBS seats are very low compared to the MBBS aspirants. This year (2025) the NEET qualified students are 1,236,531 and the MBBS seats available are 118,148. Therefore approximately 11 lakh have to choose another path or NEET long term. Here MBBS abroad is the prominent choice for Indian students.
The only reason is how many years a student spends taking NEET coaching trying hard to get admission in India, only 1.1 lakh seats are available, remaining choose another path, in this way MBBS will be an opportunity for Indian students to achieve their MBBS dream.
Let’s look at the last 5 years stats
Year | NEET Qualified Students | MBBS Seats |
2025 | 1,236,531 | 118,148. |
2024 | 13,16,268 | 1,09,145 |
2023 | 11,45,976 | 1,11,090 |
2022 | 9,93,069 | 91927 |
2021 | 870074 | 88120 |
MBBS Tuition Fee In Abroad
One of the biggest reasons Indian students choose MBBS abroad is the affordable cost. In India, MBBS fees can range from ₹50 lakhs to ₹1.5 crores in private colleges, whereas in many universities abroad, the cost is only around ₹25–35 lakhs for the entire course. This affordability makes MBBS abroad a strong alternative for Indian aspirants.
Eligibility Criteria to Study MBBS Abroad
If you are planning to pursue MBBS abroad, you must meet certain eligibility requirements set by the National Medical Commission (NMC) and respective universities. Here are the key criteria:
- NEET Qualification: Students must qualify in the NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) exam. A valid NEET scorecard is mandatory for admission and later to practice in India.
- Academic Requirements:
- Minimum 50% marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB) in Class 12 (for General category).
- English must be one of the subjects in 10+2.
- Age Limit: The student must be at least 17 years old at the time of admission or by 31st December of the admission year.
How to Choose Medical College Abroad
Choosing the right medical college plays a crucial role in the career of every aspiring doctor. However, the NMC (National Medical Commission) has set certain rules for MBBS colleges abroad. Therefore, the college where the student chooses to study must follow these norms. If the college doesn’t comply with these rules, the degree will not be considered valid in India. Let’s understand a bit about the NMC rules.
- The university must be recognized by the local government and NMC.
- The entire course should be at least 54 months (4.5 years), followed by 1 year of internship in the same country.
- Students must have studied core subjects like Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Pathology, Microbiology, and Medicine during their course.
- The course must be taught in English.
- After returning to India, students need to clear the FMGE/NExT exam to practice as a doctor.
Conclusion
Getting an MBBS admission in India has become extremely competitive due to the limited number of seats compared to the lakhs of students qualifying through NEET every year. While some students opt for NEET long-term preparation, many find themselves spending years chasing a seat without success.
In this scenario, MBBS abroad has emerged as a practical and affordable pathway for Indian medical aspirants. With globally recognized universities, lower tuition fees, quality infrastructure, and opportunities to gain international exposure, studying MBBS abroad gives students a realistic chance to achieve their dream of becoming a doctor.
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