The Ministry of External Affairs recently informed the Rajya Sabha that there is a lack of precise information regarding Indian students studying abroad. However, V Muraleedharan, the Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs, revealed that around 10,000 students are currently pursuing higher education in China. This revelation was made during his address to the Rajya Sabha on a Thursday session.

Despite the consistent efforts of Missions and Posts, Indian students do not consistently register themselves with the Indian Missions, leading to a lack of specific information about them. In response to Tiruchi Siva's inquiry, Muraleedharan disclosed that there is no comprehensive database of Indian students enrolled in foreign colleges and universities, including those studying medical programs in China.

Furthermore, the minister shared that available data indicates that approximately 14,000 students returned to India from China during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Ministry, in collaboration with the Indian Embassy in Beijing, took a multifaceted approach to assist Indian students in returning from China. This approach involved emergency evacuations from heavily affected areas, the establishment of a 24X7 Control Room and dedicated hotlines for student assistance, as well as coordination with Chinese government agencies and universities. The goal was to ensure these students could resume their studies and minimize the disruption caused by the pandemic.

Siva also questioned the minister about the government's initiatives for the welfare of Indian students enrolled in foreign institutions. Muraleedharan stated that Indian students who were in the final year of their MBBS program and had to prematurely leave their foreign medical institutes due to circumstances like the Covid-19 pandemic or conflicts (such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict) were permitted by the National Medical Commission (NMC) to take the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE). This allowance was granted if they obtained a certificate from their respective institutes confirming the completion of their course or degree on or before June 30.

These foreign medical graduates are then required to undergo a two-year Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) after successfully passing the FMG exam. This internship is designed to compensate for the clinical training that they were unable to attend in person during their undergraduate medical education abroad. It also serves to familiarize them with Indian medical practices.