Russia-Ukraine crisis began on February 24, 2022 after Russia invaded the capital city of Kyiv at dawn. With the beginning of this ‘war’, people residing in Ukraine immediately fled the capital and started moving towards the borders to evacuate as soon as possible. Among these evacuees were thousands of Indian students, who were residing in Ukraine while pursuing their medicine dream and were enrolled in MBBS courses in the eastern European country. Thousands of Indians studying in Ukraine have suddenly found themselves in the midst of the war after Russia invaded the country

However, due to sudden escalation, the Indian government has been working to bring back all Indian nationals back home. With a majority of these students being MBBS and medical students, the Russia-Ukraine crisis has resulted in a giant question mark when it comes to their career.

Ukraine is a popular destination amongst MBBS aspirants due to the course being cost-effective, doesn’t require NEET scores and despite not studying in India, can practice medicine in the country.

While studying abroad, especially in Ukraine does make the graduates eligible to practice medicine in India, with many of the students coming home in the middle of their courses, the future looks bleak. As per the 2021 regulations issued by the National Medical Commission (NMC) for Foreign Medicine Graduate’s (FMG’s), a transfer from a foreign university to an Indian university in the middle of the MBBS course is not allowed as the admission guidelines and selection criterion differs.

After completing their course, FMG’s are required to undergo an internship for 12 months with the same medical institute from where they have completed their course in and after they complete their internship, they need to complete another internship in India before they can become eligible to practice medicine, that too only after they clear the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination.

As per the 2021 FMG Regulations, An MBBS aspirant can take up to 10 years to complete their course from the date of joining and apply to be able to practice medicine in India.

As of now, there are no provisions that allow FMG’s to enroll in Indian universities or medical institutes unless they meet the requirements stated in the regulations. Whether a new provision will be made, like ‘lateral entry’ seems

unlikely. Many NMC officials have told students to wait and any decision can only be made if the crisis settles down.

The risk is highest for candidates in their final year. There is no clarity on when universities will start and when we would be called back. Students have no clarity of future.

There seem to be no plans for relaxations for Indian students who have returned home from Ukraine. The focus was entirely on bringing back all Indians back home through 'Operation Ganga', to ensure their safety and remove them as soon as possible from the conflict zones.

With the situation between Russia and Ukraine escalating every day, a decision regarding relaxations for MBBS students can be expected. An option for the candidates is to appear for NEET and start over but it is not a viable one for all students due to the costs that are involved. Unless the crisis stops, the road ahead for these students looks grim.