Puntos Clave
- Remesas educativas de India a Georgia subieron de $10.33M (2018-19) a $50.25M (2024-25).
- Estudiantes indios en Georgia pasaron de 4,148 (2019) a 10,470 (2023); 16,000+ inscritos en 2024.
- Matrículas MBBS en Georgia cuestan $4,000–$7,500 anuales; seis años suman entre $24,000 y $45,000.
(GEORGIA) Indian students are increasingly turning away from Ukraine and choosing Georgia for MBBS estudios, a shift that has been accelerated by the ongoing war in Ukraine and reflected in a sharp rise in remesas sent home under India’s Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS). Data from the Reserve Bank of India show a near fivefold jump in remittances for education to Georgia—from $10.33 million in 2018-19 to $50.25 million in 2024-25—while remittances to Ukraine have collapsed from $14.80 million in 2018-19 to $2.40 million in 2024-25. The transformation mirrors the broader reconfiguration of Indian student mobility abroad, with safety, cost and English-language instruction now prominent drivers of choice.
In Georgia, the shift is not only financial but also deeply human. The number of Indian students taking up MBBS studies in Georgia rose from 4,148 in 2019 to 10,470 in 2023, according to data presented in the Indian Parliament. The Indian Embassy in Tbilisi estimates that over 16,000 Indian students were enrolled in Georgian universities in 2024. The change comes as Ukraine, once a favored destination for Indian medical education, has become a less viable option for many families due to the conflict and its consequences for safety and academic continuity. The RBI data underscore the scale of the move: remittances for Georgian education surged to $50.25 million in 2024-25, a staggering rise that points to a sustained appetite among Indian families for Georgian MBBS estudios as a stable alternative.
The human stories behind the numbers are visible in the classrooms and campuses of Georgia’s medical universities. In Georgia’s system, MBBS studies are offered across several institutions, with tuition and living costs typically lower than in many Western destinations. The kind of affordability cited by families is part of what is drawing students toward Georgia. The possibility of a more predictable visa process and residency pathways after graduation also figures into the calculus for many students and parents who are weighing long-term plans for study, work and settlement.
On the cost front, the economics of pursuing an MBBS in Georgia are clear. Tuition for MBBS courses in the country ranges roughly from $4,000 to $7,500 per year, with total six-year fees varying by university. The total can be as low as about $24,000 at Batumi and Akaki universities, while at David Tvildiani Medical University (DTMU) it can reach around $45,000 for the full program. Grigol Robakidze University (GRUNI) in Tbilisi, often cited as a leading institution, charges about $5,500 per year and is approved by both the National Medical Commission (NMC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). These figures help explain the lure for families comparing Georgia with higher-cost destinations.
Beyond cost, the language of instruction in most Georgian medical universities—English—appeals to Indian students and their families who want to minimize language barriers while pursuing MBBS estudios. Georgia has also been praised for the relative simplicity of visa procedures and for post-study residency options that are perceived as more straightforward than in some other destinations. Advocates argue that the combination of safety, affordability and English-medium teaching makes Georgia an attractive hub for Indian students who previously looked to Ukraine or who are seeking a new regional base closer to Europe.
The mindset shift among students and families is underscored by direct assessments from industry sources. Pratibha Jain, CEO of Eduabroad Consulting, has described Georgia as a durable draw for medical studies:
“Georgia has been popular for its medical courses. It was quite popular even before the war because of its proximity to Europe, and because it was very cost effective. Their laws for residency are simple, and medical graduates can consider living and working there.”
Those words reflect a line of thinking shared by many families who are evaluating the post-war landscape of medical education in Eastern Europe. Jain also noted that the country’s appeal has broadened:
“Georgia was popular even before the war, but its popularity has surged as students prioritise safety. They can complete their studies here and also find employment opportunities.”
The quotes are an important reminder that the numbers describe lives facing very immediate choices about safety, finances and career prospects.
The fascination with Georgia also respects a regional context. While Georgia and Russia are rising as destinations for medical studies among Indian students, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and Germany remain top destinations for Indian students in general. Yet the data imply a meaningful reallocation of where Indian families invest in education abroad: remittances to the United States fell by about 10% in 2024-25, remittances to Canada dropped by around 43%, while Germany saw a notable 70% increase. This reflects a shifting global map of opportunity, with Georgia emerging as a pragmatic hub for MBBS estudios in a period of regional upheaval.
The policy and institutional environment in Georgia strengthens the case for such a shift. The country’s immigration system is seen by many as relatively accessible for students who plan to study long-term and potentially remain post-graduation. The combination of English-language instruction, a comparatively low cost of living, and a more straightforward residency framework has prompted several Indian families whose children began their studies in Ukraine to seek transfer opportunities to Georgian universities since 2022. Students who made that transition have reported continuing their MBBS studies with minimal academic disruption, a practical outcome that aligns with family expectations of both education quality and future stability.
But the move is not without concerns. Critics stress the need to ensure that the education obtained in Georgia meets international standards and that degrees earned in Georgian institutions translate into viable medical careers, whether in India, Georgia or elsewhere. Supporters counter that the NMC and WHO approvals for several Georgian institutions provide a credible guardrail for quality and international recognition, helping to reassure students and their families that the MBBS dosis they undertake abroad will be respected in professional markets. The realities on the ground include universities expanding facilities and support services to accommodate the growing Indian student population, which has increased demand for housing, tutoring services, and culturally resonant student networks.
From a policy perspective, the RBI’s remittance data illuminate a broader trend: education abroad remains a principal driver of cross-border financial flows among Indian households, and the destination of those flows is increasingly diverse. The Georgia story is a microcosm of how geopolitical events—like the war in Ukraine—reshuffle the choices available to students seeking MBBS estudios. It is a reminder that education, migration and international relations intersect in deeply personal ways, shaping futures in ways that are both immediate and long-lasting.
When it comes to numbers and their interpretation, observers point to the steady rise in Indian students in Georgia as evidence of a durable trend rather than a temporary spike. The 2019 figure of 4,148 Indian students in Georgia’s MBBS programs gives way to a much higher figure by 2023, and the 2024 estimate of more than 16,000 Indian students enrolled in Georgia’s universities reflects sustained demand. On the financial side, the remittance surge to Georgia tells a parallel story: a near quadrupling of education-related remittances in six years, a trend that coincides with a steep fall in remittances to Ukraine for education, especially after 2020-21 when Ukraine’s remittance peak reached $39.12 million. The numbers in the RBI dataset thus outline a two-country narrative of education, migration and risk management in the Indian context.
Georgia’s educational ecosystem has responded to the demand by expanding campus facilities and student services tailored to Indian nationals. University leaders describe steps to ease entry and retention for Indian students, from streamlined admission processes to enhanced housing and mentorship programs. The result, according to observers, is a more robust integration of Indian MBBS estudies into Georgia’s higher education landscape, with universities highlighting international collaborations and the potential for graduates to transition into work opportunities after graduation. The practical question for many families remains: how does this portfolio of options balance cost, quality, safety and future opportunities for medical professionals in a competitive global market?
For policymakers, the Georgia-oriented shift raises questions about how to ensure quality and mobility in medical education. If Georgia continues to attract Indian students at current rates, universities may need to invest further in English-language resources, clinical partnerships, and post-graduation pathways, ensuring that graduates can apply their training in a way that aligns with both Indian medical standards and local Georgian needs. The RBI’s data, while highly numeric, are more than a ledger of remittances; they map a real-world trajectory of thousands of families choosing a different geography for MBBS estudios because of safety considerations and cost-benefit calculations. The change also introduces a dynamic for Georgia’s higher education sector to position itself as a durable hub for medical training that can absorb growing demand without compromising quality.
The shift has also affected the broader overseas-studies ecosystem in India. Education consultancies, university liaison offices, and student ambassadors describe Georgia as a destination where students can complete their MBBS estudios with a practical sense of economic and personal security. The proximity of Georgia to Europe adds a logistical advantage for students seeking clinical exposure and potential internships that can complement their degrees, while the cost structure remains a key point of appeal for families weighing more expensive options elsewhere. The RBI’s remittance figures, the parliament’s student-count data, and the embassy’s enrollment estimates together craft a narrative of a rapidly evolving education migration pattern in which Georgia has emerged as a central node.
In the final tally, India’s students are casting a long shadow over Georgia’s higher education landscape, while Georgia’s institutions, in turn, are responding with expanded capacity and a more deliberate orientation toward international students. The numbers tell a story of a region in flux: a war that reshaped migration patterns, a currency of remittances that signals intent and commitment, and a generation of students who are mapping their futures across borders with a mix of pragmatism and ambition. The phrase MBBS estudios, spoken often by families exploring options, captures a cross-border ambition that is now anchored by Georgia’s rising prominence in medical education—and by the evolving economics that drive decisions about where to study, where to work, and where to lay down the roots of professional life.
For readers wanting a concrete lens on the broader trend, the RBI’s statistical releases provide a window into how education-related remittances are flowing in a time of regional upheaval. The numbers—$50.25 million to Georgia in 2024-25, $2.40 million to Ukraine in the same year, 16,000+ Indian students in Georgia by 2024—are not abstract aggregates; they are the financial and human consequences of choices made by families facing the uncertain calculus of modern global education. They also point to a potentially lasting realignment in which Georgia’s MBBS estudios environment is recognized not only for its cost advantages and English-language instruction but also for its perceived safety and stability in a world where conflicts disrupt traditional pathways.
For the record, the source material shows that the migration of students has been accompanied by a parallel shift in preference for Georgia’s broader academic ecosystem. Grigol Robakidze University, one of the leading Georgian institutions, stands out with its annual fee benchmark of around $5,500, while other universities offer different financial touchpoints that still keep Georgia competitive within a crowded international market. The broader implication is a multi-year trend that may redefine how India views medical education abroad, especially for students who prioritize safety and return-on-investment in a field as demanding as MBBS estudios.
Finally, the record shows a clear emphasis on Georgia’s nascent but growing capacity to absorb this influx. The education market in Georgia has responded with expanded capacity and targeted support for Indian nationals, enabling a smoother transition for students who are pursuing medical degrees far from home. The two countries’ trajectories—an India-Georgia relationship shaped by education, mobility and economic remittances—offer a snapshot of how the next generation navigates a complex global system, balancing the lure of Europe, the pragmatism of cost, and the uncertain realities of international conflict. As the numbers continue to evolve, Georgia’s status as a leading destination for MBBS estudios within the Indian student diaspora looks set to endure, even as Ukraine remains a reference point for how disruptions in one nation’s stability can redirect the pathways chosen by thousands of families.
Notes and context: The financial figures cited reflect the RBI’s Liberalised Remittance Scheme data and are corroborated by parliamentary data on student flows. Official statements from Eduabroad Consulting, including the quotes attributed to Pratibha Jain, offer direct insight into the perception among recruiters and families about why Georgia is becoming more attractive as a destination for medical training. For readers seeking further official data, the Reserve Bank of India’s LRS statistics constitute the primary source for remittance amounts, while the data on student counts are drawn from parliamentary records and embassy estimates. As the debate over the best destinations for MBBS estudios continues, Georgia’s combination of safety, affordability, English instruction and practical residency options presents a compelling case that is being reflected not only in remesas but in the growing presence of Indian students on Georgian campuses.
Further reading and sources include government and institutional reporting on remittance flows and student mobility. For a broader understanding of the regulatory framework governing cross-border education and remittances, see the Reserve Bank of India’s official resources on the Liberalised Remittance Scheme, which provide the framework for how families finance overseas education and remit funds for tuition and living costs across borders. Reserve Bank of India – Liberalised Remittance Scheme and related official disclosures. The article draws on the cited data points, including the figures for remittances and student numbers, and quotes from Pratibha Jain, CEO of Eduabroad Consulting, as reported in the referenced materials.
Aprende Hoy
Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) → Esquema del RBI que permite a residentes indios enviar dinero al extranjero para propósitos autorizados, como educación.
MBBS → Título de Medicina (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery), un programa de seis años que buscan muchos estudiantes indios en el extranjero.
Remesas → Transferencias de dinero desde India para pagar matrículas, alojamiento y gastos de vida de estudiantes en el exterior.
National Medical Commission (NMC) → Órgano regulador indio que reconoce o aprueba instituciones médicas extranjeras para efectos de convalidación.
Este Artículo en Resumen
Datos del RBI muestran una reorientación de estudiantes indios de MBBS hacia Georgia: las remesas educativas a Georgia aumentaron a $50.25 millones en 2024-25 desde $10.33 millones en 2018-19, mientras las de Ucrania cayeron a $2.40 millones. El cambio responde a seguridad tras la guerra, costes más bajos ($4,000–$7,500/año), enseñanza en inglés y vías de residencia más claras. Las universidades georgianas ampliaron servicios y aceptaron transferencias para limitar la pérdida académica.
— Por VisaVerge.com
