Since its introduction in 2022, Madhya Pradesh (MP) has become the first state in India to offer MBBS education in Hindi, and it has seen a modest 30% student enrollment in the program. This innovative step aims to make medical education more accessible to students from rural areas and Hindi-speaking backgrounds. The success of this initiative has sparked similar considerations in other states like Rajasthan, Bihar, and Chhattisgarh, though these states will also face several challenges in implementing a Hindi-medium medical curriculum.

The Initiative: A Historical Move by MP

On October 16, 2022, Union Home Minister Amit Shah officially launched the Hindi-medium MBBS program in MP, making it the first state to offer medical courses in Hindi. The program’s launch followed the translation of three critical first-year medical textbooks—Anatomy, Biochemistry, and Physiology—into Hindi. The objective was to help students from Hindi-speaking backgrounds better understand complex medical concepts and improve their learning experience.

Currently, the program covers the first and second years, with plans to extend it to other years as well. Atal Bihari Vajpayee Hindi Vishwavidyalaya in Bhopal has been tasked with translating medical textbooks, with a team of 12 medical experts guiding the effort.

Despite some logistical challenges, the initiative has been a significant step toward improving access to quality education in a language that many students are more comfortable with. The program has also been supported by the Ministry of Education, which introduced the Anuvadini app for translating technical textbooks into regional languages, including Hindi.

A Blend of Hindi and English: The 'Hinglish' Solution

One of the key challenges in teaching medical education in Hindi is the need for specialized medical terminology. Many students, especially those from Hindi-medium backgrounds, are not familiar with terms like "astounding" for bone or "amashay" for stomach. Instead, they are more accustomed to the English terms that have become globally standardized in medical education.

As a result, Madhya Pradesh has adopted a bilingual approach, often referred to as 'Hinglish,' where Hindi is used for explanations, and English medical terms are included in brackets for technical accuracy. This hybrid model has proven successful in making medical education more accessible to students, while still preserving the scientific integrity of the curriculum.

Dr. RKS Dhakad, the dean of Gajra Raja Medical College (GRMC) in Gwalior, notes that this bilingual approach has been well-received by Hindi-speaking students. “About 30-40% of students from Hindi-medium backgrounds have opted for the Hindi MBBS program. The bilingual textbooks, which include English terminologies in brackets, help students bridge the gap and reduce their exam anxiety,” he explains.

While students from rural backgrounds have reported that the program has helped them grasp complex topics more easily, those who plan to pursue higher studies or careers abroad have voiced concerns about potential limitations. Some students fear that learning in Hindi may restrict their ability to compete globally, where English is often the primary language of medical research and conferences.

Mixed Student Reactions

The Hindi MBBS program has garnered mixed reactions among students. Those from rural areas, especially in tribal regions, have found it much easier to understand and retain complex medical concepts in their native language. Hriday Ahir, a second-year MBBS student from Shahdol, MP, shared his experience, saying, “The bilingual textbooks are very helpful. The inclusion of English terms in brackets makes the content clearer, and ‘Hinglish’ makes it easier for us to understand and recall important concepts during exams.”

However, some students who plan to pursue postgraduate education or work in non-Hindi-speaking regions have expressed concerns. “We’re learning in Hindi, but we write exams in English,” says Dr. Dhakad, highlighting that this bilingual model sometimes creates difficulties for students during exams, as many continue to use English to write their answers.

Expansion to Other States

Inspired by Madhya Pradesh's initiative, neighboring states like Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh are now considering implementing similar Hindi-medium MBBS programs. Over 200 students at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College (NSCBMC) in Jabalpur, MP, have opted for the Hindi-medium curriculum, and about 8% of first-year students across the state have answered exams in Hindi for the first time.

Representatives from these states have already visited Madhya Pradesh to learn more about the program. A medical college in Rajasthan, for example, has requested Hindi question papers from NSCBMC to help in the translation process.

Despite the enthusiasm from state governments, these regions will also face challenges related to curriculum translation and developing a standardized medical lexicon in Hindi.

Concerns and Criticism

While the initiative has been praised for making medical education more accessible, it has also sparked criticism, particularly from the medical community. Critics argue that offering MBBS courses in Hindi could affect students' ability to compete at the national or international level, where English is the predominant language of medical research, conferences, and publications.

Dr. Tushar Sreedhar, an ophthalmologist from Bhilai, Chhattisgarh, cautions, “Countries like Germany, China, and Russia have adapted their medical education systems to local languages, but they still use English medical terminologies. If Indian students are taught entirely in Hindi, they may struggle to keep up in an international setting.”

Addressing Challenges

Looking forward, one of the biggest challenges facing Hindi MBBS education is the creation of a standardized medical lexicon in Hindi. According to a senior professor from Gandhi Medical College (GMC) in Bhopal, “Developing a lexicon that accurately conveys scientific concepts without losing meaning will be essential as the program expands.”

Madhya Pradesh is already working toward this goal, with plans to gradually extend the Hindi MBBS program to higher years. The state also aims to refine the curriculum as more states like Rajasthan and Bihar join the initiative. The success of this venture will depend on addressing the challenges of translation, ensuring that students are prepared for both domestic and international medical challenges.

As Hindi-medium MBBS programs spread across India, balancing linguistic accessibility with academic rigor will be crucial to ensuring that students are equipped for the challenges of the medical profession.