#India# Uzbekistan#Apollo MedSkills#Zarmed University# MBBS# Indian Students
IBNS-CMEDIA: In a major push to support aspiring Indian medical students seeking education abroad, Apollo MedSkills Ltd, a leading healthcare skill development institution in India, has signed an academic collaboration agreement with Zarmed University in Uzbekistan.
Starting from the 2025-26 academic year, the partnership will offer a specially curated MBBS program for Indian students through the exclusive “ZAAP MBBS Program” at Zarmed University’s campuses in Samarkand and Bukhara.
The program is designed to be taught entirely in English by experienced Indian faculty, ensuring not just ease of learning for Indian students, but also alignment with India’s National Medical Commission (NMC) standards.
Under the five-year academic program, followed by a one-year compulsory hospital apprenticeship, students will be prepared to meet the academic and clinical standards necessary to qualify for India’s licensing examinations, including the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE), the upcoming National Exit Test (NEXT), as well as international assessments like the USMLE.
Confirming the development, Dr. Srinivas Rao Pulijala, CEO of Apollo MedSkills Ltd, said, “This partnership marks a significant step in redefining how Indian students approach MBBS education abroad. With our guidance, the curriculum has been reviewed, structured and aligned with NMC guidelines to ensure a smooth transition for students planning to practice medicine or pursue post-graduate studies in India or overseas.”
Dr. Pulijala emphasized that preparations for FMGE/NEXT will begin from the very first year of the program, giving students a consistent and integrated preparation path.
“We are not just teaching them MBBS, we are preparing them to be licensed and practice-ready doctors, globally,” he added.
A unique feature of the program will be vacation-time clinical observerships at Apollo Hospitals in India.
This initiative will expose students to real-world medical scenarios under the supervision of some of India’s most experienced healthcare professionals.
“Hands-on exposure is critical in medical education. The observerships will bridge the theoretical-practical divide,” Dr. Pulijala said.
The partnership also includes comprehensive student support services.
The GVantage Group, a diversified business conglomerate with expertise in international education services, will handle the end-to-end administrative support for students.
This includes hostel accommodation, meal plans, safety, and local coordination for the duration of their study in Uzbekistan.
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Highlighting the pressing demand-supply gap in medical education in India, Dr. Pulijala pointed out that more than 20 lakh students appear for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) annually, vying for around 1.36 lakh seats across government, private medical colleges, and BDS institutions combined.
“Roughly 50–60% of NEET aspirants qualify the entrance test, but there just aren’t enough seats. This compels thousands of deserving candidates to explore medical education opportunities abroad,” he explained.
Countries such as Russia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Vietnam, and the Philippines have emerged as popular destinations for Indian students, but quality and alignment with Indian medical standards vary widely.
“Only 6% to 20% of Indian students graduating from foreign universities are able to clear the FMGE or NEXT exam, which is now mandatory for practicing medicine or pursuing a PG course in India,” Dr. Pulijala said.
He added that the low success rate is not because students are incapable, but because most foreign universities do not offer a curriculum or pedagogy aligned with Indian medical standards or the examination formats.
“That’s the critical gap we aim to bridge through this partnership. With Indian faculty, Apollo’s curriculum support, early exam preparation, and observerships, our students will be better positioned to succeed,” he stated.
The ZAAP MBBS Program is expected to offer a new pathway for Indian students who want quality education abroad without compromising their prospects of returning to practice in India. The structured program, student support services, and clinical exposure components distinguish it from many other international offerings.
With Uzbekistan emerging as an education hub in Central Asia and offering a culturally familiar and cost-effective alternative for Indian students, the partnership between Apollo MedSkills and Zarmed University could set a new benchmark for transnational medical education.
Applications for the ZAAP MBBS Program for the academic year 2025-26 are expected to open soon, targeting Indian students who have qualified NEET and are seeking an English-medium, NMC-aligned medical education abroad.
Around 7,000 Indian students are currently pursuing medical studies at government-run universities across Uzbekistan, in cities such as Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Urgench, Fergana, Andijan, Termez, and Namangan.
The number rose following the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
A smaller group of students is also enrolled in private institutions.
The Indian Embassy maintains regular contact with university officials to ensure student welfare.
In 2022 and 2023, the Embassy held ‘Welcome Ceremonies’ in Fergana, Tashkent, Samarkand, and Urgench to engage with the Indian student community and address their concerns.
