Medical field, have traditionally been high on the priority list of our students. However, equally high, in terms of ‘difficulty’ has been obtaining a seat, which now seems to be getting tougher and tougher each year. Even high score on the final school leaving (+2) exam, students appear and get high score in the entrance exam called NEET (NATIONAL ELIGIBILITY CUM ENTRANCE TEST) is a prerequisite for winning a medical seat. Therefore, the smart guys start preparing for this exam much in advance – perhaps even as early as when they enter their 10th or 11th standard at school. It is not an uncommon sight to see students slogging it out, spending one sleepless night after another, keeping a medical seat in mind. After all this, that is, after the school leaving and the entrance exams, they look forward to their results with bated breath. Next, even after putting up an impressive performance and coming off with flying colors they keep their fingers crossed for a seat that may or may not come their way. When such is the case with high scorers the plight of those with moderate scores is anybody’s guess! The rough and tumble of final the selection depends on a variety of factors – not to exclude reservations and quotas. Thus, even after a grueling wait and in spite of a high score, they do not seem to have anything guaranteed for them.
Alternative
While there are enough alternative country options like Ukraine, Russia, China, Philippines, Malaysia, Mauritius, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Georgia, etc…, for medical studies aspirants. It may be unfair to call it just an ‘alternative’ since it could very well be the ‘preference’, as it has been in many cases, especially from the point of view of cost. First of all, there is no capitation fee, and on a rough estimate the entire cost of an MBBS Degree between Rs.15 Lakhs to Rs.35 lakhs and that for a Master’s degree, around Rs.4-6 Lakhs. What more, this includes the living cost as well! (It may please be noted that this figure subject to change).
In any case, before deciding upon the country or the University for Medical Studies in particular, there are certain points to be taken into account, the first being, whether the degree is recognized by Medical Council of India (MCI). Not all foreign medical degrees are recognized by MCI and only if the degree is recognized will the degree holder be allowed to sit foreign medical graduate examination (Screening Test) conducted by Medical Council of India and practice as a doctor after successfully completion screening test in India.
