Coimbatore: Approximately 10,000 MBBS seats have been reserved for Indian students in leading Russian government universities for the 2026-27 academic year. The All-India Russian Education Fair 2026 is scheduled to take place at Hotel Grand Regent in the city on May 15, from 10 am to 5 pm.
Russian Universities: A Preferred Destination for Medical Education
Addressing a press conference on Monday, Alexander Dodonov, Vice Consul and Director of Russian House, Chennai, highlighted that Russian universities have been admitting Indian students for over six decades. He emphasized that these institutions continue to be a top choice for medical education abroad, complying with the latest norms of the National Medical Commission (NMC), including regulations related to course duration, internship, curriculum, and English-medium instruction.
Scholarships and Affordability
Dodonov announced that more than 200 Indian students will receive 100% scholarships from the Russian government this year for bachelor's, master's, and postgraduate programs at leading Russian universities. Officials noted that nearly 25,000 Indian students are currently pursuing medical education in around 30 Russian universities offering MD degrees equivalent to MBBS in India. Since the courses are heavily subsidized by the government, they are highly affordable, with total fees starting as low as INR 3.5 lakh per annum.
Eligibility and Admission Process
Students who have qualified NEET with at least 50% marks in relevant subjects can apply, while SC/ST and OBC students require 40%. Tamil-medium students are also eligible, and no IELTS or other entrance tests are required. Spot admissions for MBBS and other programs will be available at the fair, which will be held at multiple locations across Tamil Nadu. Entry to the fair is free.
Participating Universities
The seven universities participating in the fair include Volgograd State Medical University, National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, Kazan State Medical University, and Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, among others.
