As the future of these students remains in jeopardy, if no solution is found

The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Centre and the National Medical Commission (NMC) to find a solution to accommodate undergraduate medical students who have returned from foreign countries such as Ukraine and China, stating that if a solution is not found at this stage, their careers will be jeopardised.

A bench of justices B R Gavai and Vikram Nath stated that if necessary, the Centre may form an expert committee to find a solution to the student’s situation.

The Supreme Court expressed hope that the Centre will consider its proposal and find a way to rescue the careers of students who are an asset to the country.

“If no solution is found, their entire career, as well as their families, might be jeopardised.”

“We believe that this is an appropriate matter for expert resolution.” We refrain from giving orders. “We recommend that the Union of India, in cooperation with the National Medical Council, find a solution to this human dilemma,” the bench stated.

The Supreme Court acknowledged that the majority of the students had finished their studies but were unable to complete their clinical training.

The Centre’s Additional Solicitor General, Aishwarya Bhati, argued that practical training is critical in medical courses.

She stated that academic courses cannot take the place of practical training and that the decision to exclude the students was made after conferring with the Ministries of Health, Home, and External Affairs.

The Supreme Court stated, “They are correct in remarking that the court lacks knowledge. However, several instances are uncontrollable, such as Covid.”

“It is only after a century that humanity has been forced to confront such a scenario. We discovered that the careers of about 500 students who have already completed five years of education are in jeopardy. They have finished seven semesters physically and three semesters online.” The Supreme Court agreed with the Centre that academic instruction cannot replace practical training.

“However, the parents of the kids must have spent a significant amount of money on the study, and if no solution is found, their whole career, as well as families, may be jeopardised,” the bench stated.

The Centre previously stated that it cannot accommodate medical students studying in Ukrainian institutions who have returned to the nation owing to hostilities in the country in Indian medical institutes or universities since it would “destroy the entire medical education system” here.

The Supreme Court was considering a batch of petitions brought by first- to fourth-year undergraduate medical students at their various overseas medical colleges/universities.