Iran war triggers fear among Indian students
HYDERABAD: Nearly 10,000 Indian students are currently studying in Iran, according to figures released by the Ministry of External Affairs. The majority of them are pursuing medical education, officials said.
The situation has drawn attention as tensions and conflict escalate in the country where many Indian students have travelled for higher studies.
Medical courses cheaper than in India attract students
Experts say Iran has become a preferred destination for medical studies mainly because medical education is far cheaper than in India.
Securing a medical seat in India is difficult due to intense competition in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). Studying medicine in private or aided colleges in India can cost several crore rupees.
“In Iran, students can complete MBBS at nearly half the cost compared to India,” said a consultancy operator who guides students seeking overseas medical admissions.
Another factor drawing Indian students is that medical education in Iran is taught entirely in English, and the degree carries international recognition, he added.
Students moved from Tehran to safer locations
Amid the current tensions, the Indian embassy in Tehran said more than 1,200 Indian students in the capital were moved to safer locations such as Qom by bus on Tuesday.
However, a few students reportedly refused to relocate.
Since the last week of February, first- and second-year medical students have been attending classes online, while some students had returned to India earlier before conditions worsened.
Students in their final year face examinations scheduled for the second week of March. Many have chosen to remain in Iran due to concerns that leaving may affect their academic year.
Some students posted messages on social media describing the anxiety they face.
“We hear loud explosions every day. We are living in fear, unsure when bombs may fall,” a student said, appealing to the Indian government to arrange their safe return.
Authorities are also considering evacuating Indian students from Iran through Pakistan by road, sources said.
