Out Of 15K Indian Medical Students Enrolled In Ukraine, 14K Students Undergoing Online Classes: Centre Before SC

In compliance with the order of the Supreme Court in the matter relating to medical students enrolled in colleges in Ukraine, wherein the Court had directed the Government to disclose the number of medical students who were pursuing their studies in Ukraine being accommodated to other countries, the Centre has on Monday filed an Affidavit before the Court.

Mr. Sunil Kumar Gupta, Under Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has sworn the Affidavit.

In the Affidavit, the Union of India has submitted –

"… information has been obtained from Ministry of External Affairs that a total 15,783 Indian students are enrolled in various medical universities of Ukraine, out of which 14,973 students are undergoing online classes conducted by concerned medical universities of Ukraine, and 640 students are undergoing offline mode of education in Ukraine. 170 students though enrolled with Ukrainian universities are pursuing their education at partner universities in other countries under academic mobility program."

The Centre has further informed the Court that in addition, there are 382 students who have applied for academic mobility but their applications were not accepted by both the Ukrainian university and receiving partner university due to non-payment of fees, poor academic records, non-availability of free seats, etc.

The plea was filed before the Supreme Court seeking a direction to the Centre and others to accommodate the medical students returning from Ukraine in Indian medical colleges with appropriate Indian or foreign degrees as a one-time measure.

The Bench comprising Justice Aniruddha Bose and Justice Vikram Nath had ordered –

"Ms. Aishwarya Bhati, learned ASG for the Union of India has apprised this Court that if the students who have been pursuing their medical studies in Ukraine want to pursue their course in other medical institutions of other countries, in view of disruption of their studies because of conflict situation in Ukraine.

Let Union of India file an affidavit disclosing therein the number of medical students who were pursuing their studies in Ukraine have been accommodated to other countries under this arrangement."

Today, the Bench adjourned the matter to 29 November 2022 after Senior Advocate Maneka Guruswamy appearing for the petitioners told the Court that she did not receive a copy of the reply filed by the Center. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati appeared for the Center.

Previously, the Court had also appreciated the efforts of the Centre in bringing back the students stuck in Ukraine.

Cause Title – Archita & Ors. v. National Medical Commission (NMC) & Ors.