Indian medical students told to leave Iran, but exams loom

Over a thousand Indian medical students in Iran are facing a dilemma after the Indian Embassy in Tehran advised Indian citizens to leave the country amid rising regional tensions and security concerns. With crucial exams scheduled for early and late March, many students now find themselves torn between their personal safety and their academic future.

Iran is a favoured destination for many students due to its affordability, cultural familiarity and religious connections, particularly among Shia Muslims.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs data for 2022, around 2,050 Indian students were enrolled in Iran, and most of them were pursuing medical studies. A significant number are in Tehran, while others are studying Islamic theology in cities like Qom and Mashhad.

Numbering about 1,000 to 1,500, many of the medical students are from the northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. Most are enrolled in medical programmes at institutions like the Tehran University of Medical Sciences, ShahidBeheshti University, and Islamic Azad University.

These exams are held only twice a year, and missing them can result in a delay of up to six months, extending the five-and-a-half-year medical degree and impacting future career plans.(UPDATED ON 28TH FEBRUARY 2026)