Over 1,100 Medical Students Drop Out in Five Years, NMC Data Reveals

New Delhi: A recent Right to Information (RTI) query has brought to light a concerning trend in medical education, revealing that 1,166 medical students dropped out of their courses between 2018 and 2023. The data, provided by the National Medical Commission (NMC), underscores the significant academic and mental health pressures faced by aspiring doctors.

The RTI, filed by health and RTI activist Dr. Vivek Pandey, sought information on student suicides and dropout rates in medical colleges nationwide. The NMC’s response revealed that of the total dropouts, 160 were undergraduate (UG) students, while a staggering 1,006 were postgraduate (PG) students.

A breakdown of the postgraduate dropouts highlights specific areas of concern. The “other branches” category saw the highest number of students leaving, with 529 dropouts. MS General Surgery (114), Obstetrics and Gynaecology (103), and ENT (100) also reported significant dropout numbers.

In addition to the dropout rates, the NMC data revealed a distressing number of student suicides. Over the same five-year period, 119 suicides were reported, with 64 among undergraduate students and 55 among postgraduate (MS/MD) students.

The statistics, compiled from 512 medical colleges across India, paint a stark picture of the immense academic pressure and mental health challenges confronting medical students. The timing of this data release is particularly significant, coming just ahead of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test – Postgraduate (NEET-PG), scheduled for June 15, 2025.

This data highlights the urgent need for medical institutions to address the mental well-being of their students and implement support systems to mitigate the pressures associated with medical education.

Disclaimer: The data presented in this article is based on information provided by the National Medical Commission (NMC) in response to an RTI query. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the figures may be subject to further verification and interpretation. The information provided should not be considered as a definitive analysis of the factors contributing to student dropouts and suicides. Mental health is a complex issue, and individual circumstances can vary significantly. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, please seek professional help.(https://www.edexlive.com/news/2025/Mar/31/more-than-1100-medical-students-dropped-out-of-colleges-between-2018-and-2023-nmc)