Indian Medical Students in Iran Face Exam Clash as Embassy Issues Evacuation Advisory
By: Javid Amin | 25 Febuary 2026
Safety or Semester? A Crisis of Choice for Indian Students
As geopolitical tensions escalate between Iran and the United States, hundreds of Indian medical students in Iran find themselves at the intersection of national security advisories and academic survival.
Following heightened instability and fears of potential military confrontation, the Embassy of India in Tehran issued an advisory urging Indian nationals—students, pilgrims and business visitors—to leave Iran using available commercial means. The advisory, precautionary in tone, comes amid warnings from US President Donald Trump about possible military intervention and ongoing internal unrest within Iran.
However, for Indian medical students, the advisory collides directly with critical examinations scheduled in early March.
JKSA Urges MEA to Intervene
The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) has formally written to India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), requesting urgent intervention to protect students’ academic futures.
National Convenor Nasir Khuehami stated that while the association appreciates the government’s timely advisory, the situation requires nuanced handling. According to representations cited by ANI, two major Iran-wide examinations—the Uloompaya (Comprehensive Basic Science Examination) and the Pre-Internship Examination—are scheduled for March 5, 2026 under the supervision of Iran’s Ministry of Health and Medical Education.
These exams are not routine tests. They are mandatory academic milestones determining whether students can:
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Transition from pre-clinical to clinical training
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Proceed toward internship
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Continue their medical degree progression
Missing them could delay academic progress by up to six months, as the examinations are conducted only twice annually.
How Many Students Are Affected?
Student groups estimate that 1,000 to 1,500 Indian students are currently pursuing medical education in Iran. Many are enrolled in institutions such as Tehran University of Medical Sciences, one of the country’s leading medical institutions.
A significant number of these students are from Jammu and Kashmir, where overseas medical education—particularly in countries like Iran—has been a cost-effective pathway for aspiring doctors.
For these students, the dilemma is stark:
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Leave immediately for safety and risk losing academic momentum
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Stay for exams and risk being caught in escalating instability
Ground Reality: Anxiety, Uncertainty and Pressure
Interviews and student accounts indicate deep anxiety on campuses across Tehran and other Iranian cities.
Some students have already returned to India after consultations with families, citing safety as the primary concern. However, they now face uncertainty about whether:
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Iranian authorities will allow alternative exam arrangements
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Online or special sittings can be organized
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Academic records will be protected
Others who remain in Iran describe feeling torn between family pressure to evacuate and academic obligations that could define their professional trajectory.
University administrations, according to several students, have indicated that postponement is unlikely—at least as of now.
Why These Exams Matter So Much
1. Uloompaya (Comprehensive Basic Science Examination)
This examination assesses foundational medical knowledge and determines eligibility for clinical rotations. Failure to appear means students cannot advance to patient-facing training.
2. Pre-Internship Examination
A gateway exam before internship placement, essential for completing the five-and-a-half-year medical curriculum.
In medical education, timelines are rigid. A missed milestone can have cascading consequences—delaying graduation, licensing exams, and potential postgraduate opportunities in India.
The Diplomatic Angle: What Can the MEA Do?
The JKSA has requested that the Ministry of External Affairs:
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Issue clear guidance specifically addressing students with imminent examinations.
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Engage with Iranian authorities to explore:
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Postponement
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Special sittings
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Alternative arrangements
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Ensure coordinated communication to prevent misinformation and panic.
Historically, India has conducted evacuation operations such as:
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Operation Ganga (Ukraine crisis)
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Operation Kaveri (Sudan conflict)
However, the current advisory in Iran is precautionary rather than a full-scale evacuation operation. This nuance complicates the response—mass evacuation could trigger panic, while inaction risks student safety.
Broader Context: Rising US-Iran Tensions
The advisory follows renewed tensions between Washington and Tehran. President Trump’s warnings about possible intervention and Iran’s strong counter-statements have increased regional uncertainty.
While there is no confirmed outbreak of war, the possibility of military escalation has raised risk perceptions. Embassies often issue advisories as preventive measures to safeguard citizens abroad.
A Repeated Disruption
Several students note that this is the second major disruption within a year. The earlier Israel-Iran conflict created uncertainty in travel and campus operations, affecting academic schedules.
Repeated instability can have long-term consequences:
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Financial strain on families
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Mental health stress
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Visa and documentation complications
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Delays in degree completion
For families who invest heavily in overseas medical education, even a six-month delay carries financial and emotional costs.
Possible Scenarios Ahead
Scenario 1: MEA Secures Temporary Postponement
Diplomatic engagement leads to deferred exams or special sittings for Indian students.
Scenario 2: Hybrid Arrangement
Students allowed to appear later without academic penalty.
Scenario 3: Advisory Relaxation
If tensions ease, the advisory may be softened, allowing students to remain safely.
Scenario 4: Escalation
If the situation deteriorates, safety concerns will override academic considerations, possibly triggering coordinated evacuation.
Human Dimension: Between Fear and Future
Behind policy discussions are individual stories:
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A final-year student worried about internship delays.
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A first-generation medical aspirant fearing loss of academic momentum.
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Parents anxiously tracking headlines from thousands of kilometers away.
For these students, the choice is not abstract geopolitics—it is a decision that shapes careers and lives.
Conclusion: A Test of Coordination and Compassion
The clash between evacuation advisories and examination schedules highlights a recurring challenge in global mobility: how to balance citizen safety with academic continuity.
The situation calls for swift diplomatic engagement, transparent communication, and empathetic policymaking. Students should not be forced into a binary choice between personal safety and losing a year of their professional journey.
As tensions remain fluid, the coming days will determine whether coordinated intervention can ease the dilemma—or whether hundreds of aspiring doctors must make an impossible decision.
