By Divyansh Kumar
Around 30% of students in Madhya Pradesh (MP) have opted for the Hindi-medium MBBS programme since its introduction in 2022. The modest acceptance of Hindi MBBS in MP has prompted states such as Rajasthan, Bihar, and Chhattisgarh following the pattern. Just like MP which faced multiple hurdles initially, these states will face teething issues such as introducing bilingual textbooks and integrating medical terminologies in Hindi for a seamless learning experience.
In October 2022, three textbooks — Anatomy, Biochemistry, and Physiology — were translated into Hindi for first-year medical students in MP. However, the move has sparked debate, with experts divided on the benefits and challenges of teaching medical courses in Hindi. At present, only first and second-year students have Hindi medical textbooks. The authorities are hopeful of having the textbooks for consecutive years ready soon as Atal Bihari Vajpayee Hindi Vishwavidyalaya, Bhopal has been assigned the task of translating the medical textbooks. The university will be supported by a 12-member committee consisting of medical experts to offer technical guidance.
The initiation of Hindi MBBS in MP took a historic step by becoming the first state in India to introduce MBBS in Hindi. Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched this initiative on October 16, 2022, in Bhopal. Three first-year textbooks were translated into Hindi to make the medical curriculum accessible to students from rural and Hindi-speaking backgrounds. The Ministry has now introduced the Anuvadini app for the translation of technical books into regional languages including Hindi.
Dr RKS Dhakad, dean, Gajra Raja Medical College (GRMC), Gwalior, which introduced Hindi MBBS a year ago, says only 30-40% of students hailing from Hindi-medium schools have opted for Hindi MBBS. “This has positively impacted the overall learning experience as the Hindi medium students are more comfortable with the course,” he told Education Times.
A blend of ‘Hinglish’
An official from the Directorate of Medical Education (DME), MP, says that delivering the MBBS course entirely in Hindi is impractical. Students from Hindi-speaking regions often do not favour traditional Hindi terms such as ‘Asthi’ for bone or ‘Amashay’ for stomach. Instead, they find English terms more familiar and prefer bilingual textbooks that combine Hindi and English, or ‘Hinglish’ terminologies.
He says that around 70% of students from English-medium backgrounds do not struggle with English lectures. However, the introduction of bilingual textbooks has significantly helped the remaining 30% students from Hindi backgrounds, who now claim to better understand the course content.
According to a senior professor from Gandhi Medical College (GMC), Bhopal, several Hindi terms have been mentioned as it is while their English name is given in the bracket for better understanding. This hybrid approach, or use of ‘Hinglish,’ allows students to understand concepts without losing their scientific accuracy.
“Teaching medical courses purely in Hindi has proven to be challenging, with many students struggling to comprehend highly technical scientific terms. This is why Madhya Pradesh’s MBBS course uses a mix of Hindi for explanation and English for technical terms, which has been better received by students,” said the GMC professor.
Mixed student reactions
Students from rural backgrounds have been appreciative of the initiative as it has helped them grasp complex topics more quickly. In contrast, those who plan to pursue higher education or explore international opportunities fear that studying in Hindi might limit their prospects.
Hriday Ahir, a resident of a tribal area in MP’s Shahdol, MBBS second year student, said that colleges offering MBBS in Hindi are beneficial for students from Hindi-speaking backgrounds. “The bilingual textbooks give us information on English terminologies, which is helpful. With English terms included in brackets, we are finding it easier to grasp the subjects. Hinglish helps us refer to textbooks for concept clarification, reducing exam-related anxiety. We are now less worried about failing and tend to transition to English medium gradually,” Hriday told Education Times.
Dr Dhakad said that at GRMC Gwalior, feedback is being regularly taken from students, which is mostly positive. “The transition continues to be a challenge, especially when it comes to writing exams. Despite being taught in Hindi, many students opt to write their answers in English,” he adds.
Other states take cue
Inspired by MP, states such as Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh are now considering introducing medical education in Hindi. With the option of studying in a different language, over 200 students at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College (NSCBMC), Jabalpur, chose to study and take exams in Hindi. In the recent examinations, about 8% of the approximately first-year MBBS batch consisting of 2500 students answered in Hindi for the first time. Recently, representatives from these states visited MP to evaluate its progress. A medical college in Rajasthan has requested NSCBMC authorities for the Hindi question papers, which they plan to use as references.
Criticism and concerns
Despite the enthusiasm, the medical fraternity remains divided. Critics argue that while the initiative supports linguistic inclusivity, it might hinder students’ ability to compete at national and international levels. Senior doctors have voiced concerns about the lack of comprehensive medical terminology in Hindi, which could confuse students and limit their global competitiveness.
“While countries such as Germany, China, and Russia offer medical education in their native languages, they still use English medical terminologies. The concern is that students taught in Hindi might struggle to present papers at international conferences or pursue postgraduate education in non-Hindi states like Tamil Nadu or Karnataka,” says Dr Tushar Sreedhar, an ophthalmologist from Bhilai, Chattisgarh.
Future of Hindi MBBS
As the project moves forward, the challenge, according to the GMC senior professor, “will be creating a more standardised Hindi medical lexicon that can convey scientific concepts without diluting their meaning. The Madhya Pradesh government plans to gradually extend Hindi education to other MBBS years”.
“As Rajasthan and Bihar follow in Madhya Pradesh’s footsteps, the success of this initiative will depend on addressing these challenges and refining the curriculum to balance linguistic accessibility with academic rigour,” the professor also says.
