The Russian Centre for Science and Culture, in collaboration with Rus-Education, hosted the 26th Russian Education Fair in New Delhi on Saturday. The event primarily highlighted opportunities in medical education in Russia and featured representatives from 10 leading Russian universities offering undergraduate courses in medical sciences (MBBS).
The event saw representation from prominent Russian universities, including Orenburg State Medical University, Perm State Medical University, BB Gorodovikov Kalmyk State University, Pskov State University, and Mari State University, among others.
Delegates from these select universities interacted with students, sharing insights into the admission process, course structure, academic programs offered, along with support facilities such as infrastructure, hostel facilities, and overall student life in Russia.
‘Preferred destination for Indian medical aspirants’
the vice chancellor of Mari State University explained that there is no blanket cap on admissions for Indian students in Russian universities, unlike in several Western countries where restrictive immigration policies and admission limits are impacting international student intake. “The Russian Federation will make every effort to accept everyone and guarantee them a decent education,” she said, while emphasising that quality assurance must go hand-in-hand with expanding access.
According to data from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the number of Indian students in Russia increased from 19,784 in 2022 to 23,503 in 2023 and further to 31,444 in 2024, reflecting a steady rise in enrolments, particularly in medical education.
No cap, but quality first
Responding to questions about the increasing attractiveness of Russia as an alternative destination, the vice chancellor said that while other countries are tightening their immigration and education policies, Russia is choosing a more open path. “We are not looking at limiting the number of seats,” she noted. Instead, the Russian government and universities are actively working to increase the number of seats for Indian students, especially in medical programs.
However, this expansion, she cautioned, is not without checks. “We have to guarantee the quality of medical education that we are providing to Indian students,” she added. This is crucial because many Indian students pursuing MBBS in Russia eventually sit for India’s licensing examination, which determines their eligibility to practice back home. He added that Russian universities are not only focusing on completing the curriculum but also preparing students specifically for the Indian licensing exams.
She acknowledged that reducing seat availability might be an easier route, but maintaining and improving educational standards while expanding capacity is the more challenging and more important path. “To increase the number of seats and to maintain that quality of education that the universities have a legacy of, it is a more difficult thing, and we are taking all the measures,” she said.
Medical study demand
The vice chancellor revealed that last year, around 34,000 Indian students travelled to Russia for higher education – the vast majority of them for medical studies. “Ninety-nine per cent students travel for medical courses only, because for engineering and other courses there is not such demand,” she explained. This demand stems from the imbalance in India’s own medical education system, where around 24-25 lakh students appear for the NEET exam every year, but only about 1 lakh MBBS seats are available across both government and private institutions.
Looking ahead, Russian universities are preparing to accommodate over 40,000 Indian students in medical programs this year alone.
Why Indian students prefer Russia
When asked about the factors attracting Indian students to Russia, the vice chancellor pointed to a blend of historical, economic, and cultural reasons.
“The first aspect is the long-standing diplomatic relations between the two countries,” she said, noting that the first Indian student went to Russia in 1948, and the first medical student followed in 1968. This continuity, she added, has ensured that geopolitical or political disturbances have never disrupted the educational journeys of Indian students in Russia, a key concern for families when choosing a destination.
affordability is a major draw. In India, private medical education can cost over Rs 1 crore, whereas in Russian universities, the entire six-year MBBS course costs between Rs 18 lakh and Rs 45 lakh, making it far more accessible.
In addition, many Russian universities have adapted their infrastructure to cater specifically to Indian students. “There are separate hostels for Indian students, separate arrangements for boys and girls as per the requirements of the parents here,” she said. Facilities such as Indian mess, departments for cultural adaptation, and special safety protocols – including 24-hour CCTV surveillance and police patrolling make Indian students and their families feel more at ease.
Lastly, the global recognition of Russian medical degrees means that graduates can pursue careers not just in India but also in countries like the US and the UK.
Is there a cap on the number of students that can be admitted?
When asked whether there is a fixed cap on the number of Indian students each university can admit, the vice chancellor stated that individual universities set their own intake limits based on available infrastructure and teaching staff. “Some universities have 500 seats, some universities have 200 seats,” she said. The vice chancellor also mentioned that a new university has entered the Russian-Indian education market this year, starting with an initial intake of 100 Indian students to test its facilities and systems.