NEW DELHI, February 23, 2026 – The All India Medical Students’ Association (AIMSA) has issued an urgent appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting the postponement of university examinations for Indian students currently in Iran. The request comes in response to a critical security advisory issued today by the Indian Embassy in Tehran, urging all Indian nationals to leave the country immediately due to the rapidly deteriorating security situation.
The Conflict Between Safety and Academia
Despite the government’s directive to evacuate, hundreds of Indian medical students remain "stuck" in Iran. According to AIMSA, many students are hesitant to leave because of scheduled university examinations—specifically the crucial Olum-e-Paye exam set for March 5, 2026. This exam is a mandatory milestone that allows medical students to transition from basic sciences to clinical hospital training.
In the formal letter, Dr. Mohammad Momin Khan, President of AIMSA J&K and head of the Foreign Medical Students’ Wing, emphasized that students are being forced to choose between their lives and their degrees.
"In the prevailing tense geopolitical and security environment, it is neither safe nor feasible for students to remain in Iran merely to appear in examinations. Their safety and well-being must be treated as the highest national priority."
Key Demands from AIMSA
The association has outlined three primary requests for the Government of India:
Diplomatic Coordination: Direct the Indian High Commission/Embassy in Tehran to coordinate with Iranian authorities to postpone all scheduled exams for international students.
Facilitated Evacuation: Expedite the safe repatriation of students to India at the earliest.
Academic Safeguards: Ensure that no student suffers "academic loss" or year-back penalties due to circumstances beyond their control.
Context of the Crisis
The security situation in Iran has escalated sharply, with reports of widespread anti-government protests and increasing fears of potential military strikes in the region. The Indian Embassy's advisory on February 23 reiterated the need for citizens to leave via commercial flights or any available means of transport.
Of the approximately 3,000 Indian medical students in Iran, a significant portion—estimated between 700 and 800—are currently in their third year and directly affected by the upcoming March 5 exams.
What’s Next?
Families of the students in India have expressed immense psychological stress, urging the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to act swiftly. While many students returned home during recent vacations, those remaining are calling for a "One Platform, One Voice" intervention to ensure they can return to India without jeopardizing their medical careers.
