India’s journey in formal medical education began in 1835, under colonial British rule, with the establishment of the Calcutta Medical College (initially Medical College of Bengal). Driven by practical and political motives, British rulers sought to train Indian practitioners to serve military and civilian needs, especially as traditional systems like Ayurveda or Unani were distrusted by European doctors. 

This groundbreaking MBBS program lasted three years and covered anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, followed by medicine, surgery, and clinical training in hospitals and dispensaries. The first batch graduated in 1839, with Dr. Kadambini Ganguly becoming one of the first Indian women doctors by completing her degree in 1886.

Over time, India’s medical education evolved substantially. A national standardized exam, NEET-UG, replaced fragmented entrance systems to ensure merit-based admission to MBBS and BDS programs. Regulatory reform came with the National Medical Commission (NMC) Act of 2019, which replaced the Medical Council of India, streamlined licensing, and introduced NExT a unified exit exam for licensure and postgraduate entry.