Indian society is highly judgmental when it comes to medical aspirants. There is a common belief that students who pursue an MBBS degree abroad do so only because they could not secure a government medical seat in India or are weak in academics. In contrast, going abroad for engineering is often viewed as an achievement. This lack of parity places immense societal pressure on medical students.
Many students miss medical seats by very small margins, yet people judge them without understanding the reality of the competition. If a student can afford education abroad, choosing that path should not be viewed negatively. The scrutiny faced by medical aspirants ignores the intense struggle and effort behind missing a seat.
India’s quota system results in an unequal distribution of seats. When all students prepare for the same examination and put in similar effort, it is unfair that some secure seats at lower marks while others fail despite higher scores. Such judgment and systemic inequality lead to mental stress and loss of self-confidence.
To become a competent doctor, hard work and skill matter more than the location of the degree. Patients care about correct treatment, not where a doctor studied.
Most people feel that studying and becoming a doctor abroad is easier than in our own native country. But it’s not true—students abroad have to learn a new language, adapt to a new culture, and then study the same vast syllabus of medicine that native students study. They are also under pressure to prove themselves in an unfamiliar country.
You’ve put into words a harsh truth that many find uncomfortable to discuss. I believe it’s time to move away from caste or religion-based quotas in medical education. Instead, we could consider financial background as the main criteria for support. Many who benefit from current quotas are already well-off, while those with true financial need—regardless of their background—are left struggling. Merit and need should be the primary drivers in such a critical field.
Proper skill set clinically and good communication with the patient are what patient expect from a doctor and it is necessary to select a college that gives good clinical exposure.
Very true. A good doctor is defined by skill, dedication, and clinical exposure..not where the degree is from. Every path has its own struggles and deserves respect.