NEET for MBBS Abroad: Number of Aspirants Likely to Drop by 50%

With MCI making NEET mandatory to take up medical courses aboard, the number of students aspiring to join MBBS course aboard is likely to drop by 50%.

Experts were of the opinion that most medical aspirants going aboard for MBBS are mid-level students who may not be able to crack National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). For instance, over 60,000 students who completed MBBS abroad in the last four years failed to clear the screening test conducted by MCI. After returning to India, these candidates have to quality MCI screening test to practice medicine in India. Many candidates have failed to clear the test repeatedly.

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Popular educationist, Mr. Jayaprakash Gandhi mentioned that there is no concern or issue about the standard of medical education in foreign universities. Indian students pursuing MBBS abroad lack practical exposure associated with Indian medical environment. Therefore, most students are unable to match up the medical council standards, he explained.

Annually, over 20,000 students from southern states join MBBS in foreign universities. A large number of students from Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu join international universities for MBBS courses. Now, the compulsory NEET rule will reduce the number of students opting MBBS abroad.

A professor at a reputed college in Tamil Nadu expressed that implementing NEET for the admission to MBBS course in India is a good move. However, implementing the same rule on students aspiring to pursue medical education abroad is not a positive step. The rule will shatter the dreams of medical students who look for an alternative method of admission apart from NEET. The rule is indirectly directing the students not to join MBBS abroad, he cited.

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Some academicians suggested that the government could come up with a separate entrance exam for students wishing to join MBBS course abroad. The exam pattern and syllabus should be framed considering certain factors. Students who are not accustomed to the CBSE patterns should feel that the exam will be beneficial for them, recommended the academicians

Philippines is among the favourite destinations for most MBBS aspirants because of the low fee structure and tuition cost involved i.e. approximately Rs. 2 lakh per annum. Moreover, in countries like Philippines, Russia and China, the minimum percentage required to join MBBS course is 50% in Class 12. Therefore, many students who fail to clear NEET look forward to joining MBBS course in these countries.