Iran–US–Israel war: Why do Indian students go to Iran to study? The war threatens careers...

Iran–US–Israel war: The military campaign launched by Israel and the United States against Iran has put thousands of Indian students studying there in jeopardy. A natural question arises: why and what do so many Indian students study in Iran? Let's understand in detail why Indian students travel thousands of kilometers away, to a country against which the US and Europe have imposed strict sanctions. There is a strict Islamic regime there.

Why do Indian students choose Iran?
In the last 10-15 years, many Indian students have started going to Iran, especially for medical studies (MBBS/MD). There are several practical reasons behind this. Going to Iran is not just a foreign attraction. The difficulties of pursuing medical studies in India and the facilities in Iran have increased this attraction.

Besides medical studies, some Indian students also go to Iran for religious studies, primarily from the Shia community. These students head to cities like Qom and Mashhad. The city of Qom, 150 km from the capital Tehran, is a major center of Shia religious education.

There is a severe shortage of MBBS seats in India.
Millions of students in India aspire to become doctors, but seats are limited. Every year, 20-22 lakh students take the NEET (UG) exam. However, MBBS seats in government medical colleges cost 55-60 thousand rupees.

Private colleges in India are very expensive.

Fees in government medical colleges in India are quite low, but there is intense competition for admission. On the other hand, fees in private medical colleges are so high that middle-class families cannot afford them.

Many Iranian universities offer the Doctor of Medicine degree, which is considered equivalent to an MBBS degree in India. The annual fee can be around 6 lakh rupees. The total cost of six years of medical education ranges from approximately 15-30 lakh rupees (approximately $1.5-3 million rupees). This is significantly lower than the cost of most medical colleges in India.

Fee rates for private medical colleges here range from 3.5 million rupees (approximately 1.25 million rupees).

Best Medical Universities in Iran
Many government medical universities in Iran are over 100 years old. Furthermore, their hospitals are large teaching hospitals, which benefit Indian students. The National Medical Commission of India and the WHO recognize Iranian medical universities. The high patient volume also allows for good clinical practice.

Easy Medical Admission
In India, a very high NEET UG score is required for admission to MBBS. In Iran, passing the NEET UG is sufficient for admission. Some universities conduct their own entrance exams. There is no donation/capitation fee for admission in Iran.

Studying in English and Low Living Expenses
In Iran, medical education is taught in English medium for the first one or two years. Later, you have to learn some Persian. The cost of a hostel and food accommodation there is 10,000-12,000 rupees per month, which is much less than in many Indian cities.

How can war jeopardize a career?
If military tensions/war break out in a country, students face the following problems:
Universities are closed
Hospital training is interrupted
Visas and flights are cancelled
Degrees remain incomplete

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