Eighteen leading medical universities from the Russian Federation will take part in an All India Russian Education Fair touring Tamil Nadu from May 9 to 15, offering 10,000 MBBS seats to Indian students, organizers said. The fair will provide admission guidance and direct application opportunities in Chennai, Madurai, Tiruchi, Salem, and Coimbatore.

Indian students who have cleared the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) and secured at least 50% in core subjects are eligible for MBBS programs, with a 40% threshold for SC, ST, and OBC candidates. Tuition fees range between ₹3.5 lakh and ₹5 lakh annually, according to Russian Consul General in Chennai Valerii Khodzhaev, who cited Russia's strong purchasing power as a factor in maintaining affordability.

Russia currently hosts about 415,000 international students, with a target to reach 500,000 by 2030, Khodzhaev said. The government is upgrading academic and housing infrastructure to support this goal. Full scholarships will be offered to approximately 220 Indian students in 2026, said Alexander Dodonov, Vice Consul and Director, Russian House.

The fair will also feature institutions offering programs in science, technology, engineering, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and data science. Nearly 98% of Indian students in Russia are enrolled in medical courses, as Russian institutions meet the latest National Medical Commission norms, said C. Ravi Chandran, Managing Director, Study Abroad Educational Consultants.

The fair begins at the Russian Centre of Science and Culture in Chennai on May 9 and 10, followed by stops in Madurai, Tiruchi, Salem, and Coimbatore through May 15. Prospective applicants can contact 9282221221 for details.