Over 50% of Complaints by Indian Students Abroad Come From Russia, MEA Data Raises Concern

New Delhi: A recent knife attack in Russia, in which four Indian students were injured, has once again brought attention to the growing challenges faced by Indian students studying abroad. According to the latest data shared by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), more than half of all complaints related to exploitation, harassment and racial discrimination registered by Indian students worldwide originate from Russia—a figure that has surprised many.

The data suggests that Moscow has emerged as the biggest hotspot for such incidents.

350 Complaints From 196 Countries, Over 200 From Russia Alone

MEA figures reveal that Indian students filed nearly 350 complaints across 196 countries in 2025 regarding exploitation, harassment, and racial discrimination. Shockingly, more than 200 complaints were reported from Russia alone.

The numbers also indicate a sharp rise over the last three years:

• 2023: 68 complaints
• 2024: 78 complaints
• 2025: 201 complaints

This steep increase has raised serious concerns about the safety and treatment of Indian students in Russia.

Russia Tops the List, Followed by France and Others

After Russia, the highest number of complaints came from countries including:

• France
• Georgia
• Kyrgyzstan
• United States
• Germany

However, Russia remains the leading country by a wide margin.

Why Indian Students Choose Russia for Medical Studies

Russia continues to be one of the most popular destinations for Indian students pursuing MBBS, primarily due to:

• Affordable tuition fees
• Relatively simple admission procedures
• Availability of English-medium medical courses
• A large number of internationally recognised medical universities

Reports suggest that Russia has been especially preferred by medical aspirants from Indian states such as Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Students Often Avoid Reporting Incidents

A major concern highlighted by students is that many cases never get officially reported due to fear of consequences. Several students claimed they hesitate to lodge complaints because they worry about:

• Retaliation from university authorities
• Visa complications
• Threats of expulsion
• Targeted harassment by other students

A graduate from Bashkir State Medical University in Moscow, identified as Kanishk, said that during his sixth year, a minor argument in a hostel kitchen escalated into a violent incident where foreign students allegedly attacked Indian students and threatened them with knives.

He added that many such incidents remain undocumented because students fear being targeted or expelled.

Allegations of Institutional Neglect

D. Kaushal, coordinator of an association of Foreign Medical Graduates, claimed that Indian students in Russia frequently face:

• Racial discrimination
• Verbal abuse
• Lack of institutional support
• Negligence in addressing complaints

He alleged that universities often ignore such complaints, leaving students to suffer silently.

Reports of Universities Violating Admission Rules

Kaushal further claimed that under Russian regulations, institutions are supposed to limit foreign student intake to around 200 students, but some universities reportedly admit over 1,200 students, later expelling many of them—sometimes even during the final year.

Such allegations, if true, point to serious systemic exploitation.

Indian Students Shifting to Other Countries

Due to these increasing concerns, many Indian students are now reportedly choosing alternatives such as Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan instead of Russia.

The report suggests that the number of Indian students selecting Russia for medical education has dropped significantly in recent years—possibly by nearly 50 percent.

Rising Numbers Raise Serious Alarm

While Russia remains a popular destination for affordable medical education, the rapid increase in complaints of harassment and discrimination has triggered alarm. The situation has highlighted the urgent need for stronger institutional safeguards, better monitoring, and more effective support systems for Indian students studying abroad.