Updated 15 June 2025 at 05:18 IST
New Delhi: Amidst prevailing tensions in Ukraine and Russia, the allure of affordable medical education in Kyrgyzstan has now started attracting thousands of Indian students to pursue their dream of becoming a doctor. However, beneath the surface lies an alleged sinister plot involving Pakistan that appears to be threatening the future of these aspiring doctors. As Pakistan's another ill move against the Indian nationals revealed on the foreign soil, India apparently seems to be conducting another ‘Operation Sindoor’ in Kyrgyzstan, against Pakistan-backed, influenced universities or those universities, which are owned by Pakistani entities.
According to the revelations, these Pakistani-influenced universities in Kyrgyzstan, impersonating as reputable medical colleges, are allegedly involved in issuing fake degrees, ideological indoctrination, and radicalisation of Indian students.
As per data, nearly 7 lakh Indian students dream of becoming doctors, who look abroad for affordable alternatives due to limited seats in the Indian government medical colleges and exorbitant fees in private institutions. In recent years, Kyrgyzstan has emerged as a popular destination, promising international-standard medical education at a fraction of the cost.
The small, mountainous country in Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan, is becoming a new hub for Indian medical aspirants, surpassing traditionally preferred nations like Russia, Ukraine, and the Philippines.
The experts stated that Kyrgyzstan has emerged as a popular destination for Indian students seeking medical education abroad, following tensions in Ukraine, which had been the earlier preferred destination for medical students amid conflict with Russia. The country's medical universities offer affordable tuition fees, English-medium instruction, and curricula aligned with the guidelines of India's National Medical Commission (NMC).
Several established institutions like Osh State Medical University, Kyrgyz State Medical Academy (KSMA), and the International Higher School of Medicine (IHSM) have a good reputation among Indian students. The key reasons driving the choice include:
According to reports, while Kyrgyzstan’s established universities continue to maintain quality, several newly opened private colleges have come under scrutiny for being influenced or owned by Pakistani entities. According to reports from the Indian Embassy and intelligence agencies, these institutions pose serious risks, including:
A senior official warned, saying, “These colleges were licensed in exchange for cash without adequate vetting. Their objective is not education — it’s profit and ideological influence.”
He further added that the following institutions have reportedly been flagged for Pakistani influence or control for action. “ADAM University, International University of Science and Medicine (IUSM), Royal Metropolitan University, Avicenna International Medical University, Al-Tamimi (ABC University), OSH-IMU, Central Asian International Medical University (CAIMU), and Jalalabad International University (JAIU),”
A senior official stated, compounding the problem is a network of unauthorised Indian education agents who are actively promoting these questionable colleges in exchange for large commissions. These agents hide the true status and recognition of the colleges, circulate fake brochures and misleading rankings and target uninformed, financially vulnerable families in Tier-II and Tier-III cities
A defence analyst noted, “These agents are gambling with students’ futures, putting them on a path that could lead to both academic failure and emotional trauma.”
Amidst escalating concerns, several institutions have reportedly been flagged by the Indian intelligence for Pakistani influence or under the control of Pakistani entities. The situation is further complicated by a network of unauthorised Indian education agents who are aggressively promoting these dubious colleges in Kyrgyzstan in exchange for big commissions. These agents often mislead students and their families by:
An education analyst noted, “These agents are gambling with students’ futures, putting them on a path that could lead to both academic failure and emotional trauma.”
The experts have suggested that to address the multi-layered crisis, the following urgent actions should be taken:
The experts further suggested that the medical education in Kyrgyzstan can be a golden opportunity for Indian students, but only if they make informed and careful choices. While reputed institutions offer genuine, affordable pathways to global medical careers, others risk delivering fake degrees, ideological exposure, and lifelong setbacks.
It is said that the move is not only aimed at studying abroad, but it is also about protecting India’s youth, ensuring national credibility, and maintaining security and educational integrity.
After India's ‘Operation Sindoor’ inside Pakistani territory, a massive blow to the terrorists' establishments, the Indians have begun another operation, which serves as a wake-up call to ensure that medical education in Kyrgyzstan is not compromised by Pakistani influence. On the other hand, it has been urged that students, parents, and education consultants must be vigilant and make informed choices to avoid falling prey to these scams.
Published 15 June 2025 at 05:18 IST