A salient feature of the Independence Day speech from our leader was the announcement to create 75,000 new medical seats in the next five years. The announcement has been much appreciated as it is seen as a positive step towards improving the healthcare infrastructure of the country. Here we consider some of the impacts that it will have on the healthcare system and how effective it will be in countering the flow of students out from India.
Everyone highly appreciates the announcement to increase the number of seats; however, several other issues need to be addressed. Issues such as flaws in the admission process related to the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) controversy and the need to incorporate the latest technology in medical education are among those that require attention. Additionally, we provide a brief comparison of medical degrees pursued in India and overseas universities.
Medical Entrance Exam Challenges and Controversy
NEET was introduced to replace multiple medical entrance exams that were conducted at university and state levels. The main purpose of introducing it was to streamline the medical admission process. However, it was only a short time before this exam made news for not-so-favourable reasons.
News erupted that there have been incidents of alleged paper leaks in some states and that a large amount has been paid to access the paper early. On occasions, teachers have been caught helping students during the exam. However, such news was soon suppressed as the Supreme Court nullified all the alleged allegations and accepted the exams as they were conducted. Even though nothing has been proven, something must have caught the media’s attention. A question for those involved in the incident is, if at all this incident happened, whether they would like to be treated by a doctor who obtained a degree through such means.
Duration and Cost of Pursuing a Medical Degree
Before we get into the details of the duration and cost of pursuing a medical degree, here is a brief look at the numbers of importance. More than 25 lakh people apply to book a seat in a medical college, and they are competing for nearly one lakh seats available combining both government and private. This means that a lot of students will still be left out and would have either to switch careers or study overseas.
Fees for government medical colleges range from INR 10,000 – 50,000 per year and because of their affordability, they are the most sought-after as well. But who can get their hands on the 55,000-something seats is not just a matter of luck or academic prowess, but how well-networked you are. Pursuing a medical degree from a private college will cost up to INR 25 lakh. This means it is beyond the reach of most aspirants and those who can spend that much money prefer to study overseas.
Intense cut-throat competition and the high cost of pursuing a medical degree are not the only hurdles that one has to overcome. Aspiring medical students also have to make adjustments for quota and the lack of adequate infrastructure at medical colleges. When our career is at stake, it is worth crossing international borders to pursue your dream of becoming a medical doctor. Let’s take a look at some of the plus points of planning to pursue a medical degree overseas.
Compared to India, there are much more seats available in medical universities abroad. This means there are much higher chances of being accepted by a college. Another important factor is the better infrastructure and training facilities, something that is much more advanced compared to their Indian counterparts. When we are trained in the best of the facilities, it will fetch better earning potential for medical graduates. Along with a good start, there will be ample opportunities to grow as studying in reputed colleges overseas will provide global exposure. To know more about how pursuing a medical degree overseas can benefit you, talk to immigration consultants in Chandigarh.
Factors to Consider for Medical Aspirants
Proving your worth to get admission to a medical college in the country requires one to have good academic performance, and that too exceptional. Unfortunately, not everyone has the connection to be among the 50,000 students that are picked from 25 lakh applicants.
The next big factor is your ability to tolerate the risk of losing time and resources as you attempt to gain entry into a medical college in India. An option to consider for those not able to clear the entrance exam is to apply for a study visa to pursue a medical degree overseas.
Financial capability also needs to be considered. There are good scholarships available for deserving students who want to pursue medical degrees overseas. Unfortunately, not many options are available from private medical colleges in India. Discuss your situation and plan appropriately before pursuing a medical degree by talking to overseas education consultants in Chandigarh.
The Way Forward
Increasing the number of medical seats in the next five years is a positive step towards making India a global education hub. This move will take us in the right direction to churn better medical professionals. This move needs to be coupled with stricter regulations to prevent malpractice and leverage the infrastructure of medical at par with international standards.
