MBBS in Georgia vs Russia - Complete Comparison 2025

📅 Published: December 19, 2025 | ⏱️ 10 min read | 🏷️ MBBS Abroad

Choosing between Georgia and Russia for MBBS is one of the most common dilemmas for Indian students. Both countries offer NMC-approved medical universities at affordable costs, but which one is better for YOU?

This comprehensive guide compares every aspect - fees, FMGE pass rates, climate, food, safety, visa process, and student life to help you make an informed decision.

Quick Comparison Table

Criteria	Georgia 🇬🇪	Russia 🇷🇺
Total Cost (6 Years)	₹25-40 Lakhs	₹20-35 Lakhs
Annual Tuition	$5,000-7,000	$3,500-6,000
Living Cost/Month	$300-500	$250-400
FMGE Pass Rate	25-30%	20-25%
Medium of Teaching	English	English/Russian
Climate	Moderate (similar to North India)	Extreme cold (-30°C in winter)
Indian Students	~7,000	~12,000
Visa Processing	Simple (2-3 weeks)	Moderate (3-4 weeks)
Food Availability	Indian restaurants available	Limited Indian food
NEET Requirement	Mandatory + 50th percentile	Mandatory + 50th percentile

1. Fees Comparison - Which is Cheaper?

Georgia MBBS Fees

Tbilisi State Medical University: $7,000/year × 6 years = $42,000 (₹35L)
Batumi State University: $5,500/year × 6 years = $33,000 (₹27.5L)
David Tvildiani Medical University: $6,000/year × 6 years = $36,000 (₹30L)
Living Expenses: $400/month × 72 months = $28,800 (₹24L)
Total Investment: ₹25-40 Lakhs (including everything)

Russia MBBS Fees

First Moscow State Medical University: $6,000/year × 6 years = $36,000 (₹30L)
Kazan Federal University: $4,500/year × 6 years = $27,000 (₹22.5L)
Crimea Federal University: $3,500/year × 6 years = $21,000 (₹17.5L)
Living Expenses: $300/month × 72 months = $21,600 (₹18L)
Total Investment: ₹20-35 Lakhs (including everything)

💡 Winner: Russia - Approximately ₹3-5 Lakhs cheaper overall

2. FMGE Pass Rate Comparison

FMGE (Foreign Medical Graduate Examination) is mandatory to practice in India after MBBS abroad. Pass rates are a crucial indicator of education quality.

FMGE Statistics (Last 5 Years Average)

Georgia Medical Graduates25-30%

Russia Medical Graduates20-25%

Overall FMGE Pass Rate15-20%

Analysis: Georgia has a slightly higher FMGE pass rate. Georgian universities have better FMGE coaching infrastructure and English medium ensures better understanding of concepts. Russian universities (especially cheaper ones in tier-2 cities) may have language barriers affecting comprehension.

💡 Winner: Georgia - Higher FMGE success rate

3. Top Universities Comparison

Georgia's Best Medical Universities

Tbilisi State Medical University - Oldest (1918), best infrastructure, WHO/NMC listed
David Tvildiani Medical University - Modern campus, international faculty, clinical training
Batumi State University - Coastal city, affordable, European standards
European University Georgia - High-tech simulation labs, English medium

Russia's Best Medical Universities

First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov) - #1 Russia, research-intensive
Kazan Federal University - 215 years old, Nobel laureates, modern facilities
Saint Petersburg State Medical University - Cultural capital, European standards
Peoples' Friendship University (RUDN) - Most international, 150+ countries

💡 Winner: Tie - Both have excellent NMC-approved universities

4. Climate & Weather - Major Difference!

Georgia Climate

🌤️ Moderate continental climate similar to North India:

Summer (June-Aug): 25-35°C - Warm and pleasant
Winter (Dec-Feb): 0-10°C - Mild cold, occasional snow
Spring/Autumn: 15-25°C - Beautiful weather
Tbilisi: Warmest, dry climate
Batumi: Humid subtropical, Black Sea coast

Russia Climate

❄️ Extreme continental climate - Very harsh winters:

Summer (June-Aug): 20-30°C - Short, pleasant
Winter (Nov-Mar): -10°C to -30°C - Extremely cold, heavy snowfall
Moscow/St. Petersburg: 6 months of winter, -15°C average
Kazan/Siberia: Even colder, -30°C to -40°C possible
Daylight in winter: Only 6 hours (vs 10 hours in India)

💡 Winner: Georgia - Much easier climate for Indian students to adapt

5. Food & Indian Community

Georgia

✅ Advantages:

Multiple Indian restaurants in Tbilisi, Batumi
Indian grocery stores available
Hostel kitchens allow self-cooking
Georgian cuisine is vegetarian-friendly (khachapuri, lobio)
Active Indian student associations organize events
~7,000 Indian students create strong community

Russia

⚠️ Challenges:

Limited Indian restaurants (mainly in Moscow/St. Petersburg)
Hard to find Indian spices/ingredients
Language barrier in markets (Cyrillic script)
Russian cuisine is meat-heavy, fewer vegetarian options
Larger Indian community (~12,000) but spread across cities
Self-cooking essential - most students cook daily

💡 Winner: Georgia - Better food availability and Indian community support

6. Visa Process & Safety

Georgia Visa

✅ Simple 1-page form
✅ Processing: 2-3 weeks
✅ Single visit to embassy (Delhi)
✅ Visa fee: ~₹5,000
✅ No interview required
✅ Politically stable, part of European neighborhood

Russia Visa

⚠️ University invitation required (takes 3-4 weeks)
⚠️ VFS Global appointment mandatory
⚠️ Migration registration within 7 days of arrival
⚠️ Visa fee: ~₹8,000-10,000
⚠️ Current geopolitical tensions (Ukraine situation)
⚠️ International sanctions affecting banking

💡 Winner: Georgia - Easier visa process and better geopolitical stability

7. NEET Requirements (CRITICAL UPDATE 2025)

⚠️ IMPORTANT: Both Countries Require NEET + Qualifying Percentile

As per NMC (National Medical Commission) regulations:

✅ NEET qualification is MANDATORY
✅ 50th percentile for General category (~715/720 marks in 2024)
✅ 40th percentile for SC/ST/OBC (~573/720 marks)
❌ Students without NEET qualifying percentile CANNOT practice medicine in India
❌ Universities may admit without score, but NMC won't register you

Both Georgia and Russia have same NEET requirements. No country can bypass NMC regulations.

8. Which Should YOU Choose?

Choose Georgia If:

✅ You prefer moderate climate (can't handle -30°C)
✅ You want easier adaptation (food, culture)
✅ You prioritize higher FMGE pass rates
✅ You prefer smaller, manageable cities
✅ You want simpler visa process
✅ You can afford ₹25-40L total

Choose Russia If:

✅ Budget is your primary concern (₹3-5L savings)
✅ You can adapt to extreme cold weather
✅ You're comfortable with self-cooking daily
✅ You want prestigious universities (Moscow, Kazan)
✅ You prefer large metropolitan cities
✅ You're willing to learn basic Russian

Final Verdict

🏆 Georgia is the BETTER choice for MOST Indian students

Reasons:

✅ Moderate climate (similar to India)
✅ Better food availability
✅ Higher FMGE pass rates
✅ Simpler visa process
✅ Better political stability
✅ Only ₹3-5L more expensive (worth the comfort)

However, Russia is excellent if: Budget is extremely tight AND you can handle harsh climate.

Conclusion

Both Georgia and Russia offer quality MBBS education at affordable costs with NMC approval. Your choice should depend on:

🌡️ Climate tolerance - Georgia wins for comfort
💰 Budget - Russia is cheaper by ₹3-5L
📚 FMGE preparation - Georgia has better pass rates
🍛 Lifestyle adaptation - Georgia is easier

Remember: Both countries require NEET + qualifying percentile (50th/40th). Neither can bypass NMC regulations. Focus on choosing the country where you'll study most comfortably and pass FMGE successfully!

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