The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is seen as the big ticket in India for kids dreaming of becoming doctors. But honestly, behind that big dream is often a really tough, sometimes heartbreaking, journey. For some families, the idea of their child becoming a doctor starts when the kid is as young as 4th grade! Maybe a neighbour says, “Doctor banega toh ghar ka naam roshan hoga.” Slowly, the dream takes root—sometimes planted by love, sometimes by pressure—and it grows.
Inside the ‘Doctor Factories’: The Harsh Reality of Coaching & Mental Health
Then you hear about places like Kota, Rajasthan, known for their special coaching classes that feel less like schools and more like ‘doctor factories’. This whole system is pushed by what we call ‘herd mentality’ in society, where everyone just follows the crowd towards careers that seem ‘safe’ or ‘important’. However, the pressure on these kids is just huge. It’s truly devastating to know that in just the first half of 2025, 14 students in Kota took their lives. Therefore, it isn’t just about studying, but it’s a big mental health problem for our country.
NEET UG: The Brutal Numbers & The Cycle of Drop Years
The numbers themselves are pretty shocking. This year, over 2.2 million students tried to get into medical school, but there were only about 1.15 lakh MBBS spots. The chances are just incredibly small. And because there’s no limit on how many times you can try the exam, lots of students take a ‘drop year’ – or even several years – just to try again and again. It’s fair to get a second chance, but it’s really common to see students trying NEET 5, 7, or even 10 times! Imagine giving up so many years of your youth just for one exam.
And honestly, passing NEET is just the very first step. After that, you’ve got 5.5 years of MBBS. But here’s the tricky part: just having an MBBS degree doesn’t guarantee you a job anymore. Many new doctors are struggling to find work or good places to begin their careers. Then comes the next big obstacle: NEET PG, which many say is even harder than the first exam. And after that, it’s another 3 to 6 years to become a specialist. When you add it all up, going from high school to being a fully specialised doctor can easily take 15 or even 20 years!
All this hard work makes you ask a tough question: Is it really all worth it in India? It’s sad but true that many Indian doctors, once they pass exams to work abroad (like the USMLE), often decide to leave the country. They’re looking for better pay, fairer working hours, and just a safer life. It’s heartbreaking to see so many bright minds feel like they have to leave the very system they worked so hard to get into.
A Reality Check, Not Discouragement: Making Your Own Path in Medicine
Now, let me be super clear: I’m not trying to discourage anyone dreaming of becoming a doctor! If being a doctor is truly what you want to do, that deep passion inside you, then absolutely go for it with all your heart! If you feel you need to take a ‘drop year’, then do it. But please, do it for yourself, not because you feel pressured or afraid of what others might think.
Also, please don’t let anyone tell you that only an MBBS degree is important. Other medical courses like BDS (dentistry), BAMS (Ayurvedic medicine), BHMS (homoeopathic medicine), and many more are also really valuable and lead to great careers in healthcare. And if you ever find yourself stuck in a never-ending cycle of trying the exam again and again, it’s absolutely okay to stop and think about other options. Life has so many more paths than you might realise.
In the end, yes, work hard! Give your best effort. But also, work smart. Becoming a doctor is an amazing and noble job, but remember, it’s not the only way to make a difference in the world.
