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All India Russian Education Fair 2026 Opens in Chennai; 10,000 MBBS Seats are on Offer for Indian Students

Chennai:

The All-India Russian Education Fair for the academic year 2026-2027 will take place on 9th and 10th May at the Russian Centre of Science and Culture in Chennai, 10 am to 5 pm. Featuring the direct participation of as many as seven leading higher educational institutions, all belonging to the Russian government, the fair offers as many as 10,000 MBBS seats for the Indian students. The rise in the number of seats reflects the growing demand for medical education in Russia, the only foreign country at present to fully comply with the National Medical Commission of India’s latest norms set for medical education overseas.

Spot admissions for MBBS and other programs can be made at the fair, which is scheduled to take place also in many locations in Tamil Nadu. It will be held between 10 am and 5 pm in Madurai on May 12 at Hotel Royal Court; Trichy on May 13 at Hotel Femina; Salem on May 14 at GRT Hotel Zibe; and Coimbatore on May 15 at The Grand Regent Hotel. There is no entry fee for the fair. For details about the programs and fair, students can call: 9282 221 221.

The MBBS courses in Russia are designed to provide students with a strong foundation in theoretical knowledge and practical skills, preparing them to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape. As the courses are highly-subsidised by the government, they are also the most affordable, with the total fee, starting from as low as Rs. 3.5 lakh per annum.

Indian students who have cleared National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and who have a minimum of 50% marks in the relevant core subjects/degrees (in the case of SC/ST and OBC students, the minimum marks is only 40%), can apply for MBBS courses in Russia. Tamil medium students can also apply. There are no pre-qualifying exams like CET, IELTS, etc. for admissions to universities in Russia.

The education fair 2026 also features the participation of science, technology, and engineering education institutions that offer programs in emerging and cutting-edge domains such as bio-technology, artificial intelligence, and data science. The universities participating in the Education Fair include: Volgograd State Medical University, Volgograd; National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, Moscow; Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, Kaliningrad; Kazan State Medical University, Kazan; North Caucasus Federal University, Stavropol; Moscow Aviation Institute, Moscow; and Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow.

The press meet, organised to announce the launch of the fair, was addressed by Mr. Valerii Khodzhaev, Consul General, Consulate General the Russian Federation in Chennai, South India, Mr. Alexander Dodonov, Vice Consul & Director, Russian House, Chennai, Ms. Puzikova Alla, Dean, Volvograd State Medical University, Volvograd, Mr. Akmetov Timur, Professor, Pathology Department, Kazan State Medical University, Kazan and Mr. Ravi Chandran. C, Managing Director, Study Abroad Educational Consultants, the authorised Indian representative for Russian Universities.

In his address, Mr. Valerii Khodzhaev said, “Russian universities have a long-standing reputation of providing high-quality medical education in the world. Students from India have been admitted to Russian universities for the last 60 years. Russia continues to be the top choice for Indian students seeking medical education abroad, as Russian universities proactively adhere to the changing norms and guidelines of India’s National Medical Commission (NMC) to ensure that their MBBS programs are well recognised in India. Every year thousands of Indian students step into Russia to get prestigious, globally recognised and affordable education. With a comprehensive curriculum, experienced faculty, and advanced facilities, Russian universities offer a robust learning environment for Indian students pursuing medical education in the country.”

Talking about scholarship programs, Mr. Alexander Dodonov said, “As in the past, the Russian Government's annual 100% scholarship programs will award grants to more than 200 Indian students this year as well. This will enable them to pursue Bachelor's, Master's, Specialist, and Postgraduate Programs in Russia's leading universities free of cost. The cost of higher education is relatively cheaper because it is highly subsidised by the Government of the Russian Federation. Our universities also provide assistance as many have special adaptation programs and support systems for Indian students.”

Mr. Ravi Chandran commented that there are more than 300,000 international students from 200 different countries enrolled in the 600-odd government universities across Russia. By and large, medicine is the most popular area of study among Indian students who choose to pursue their higher education in Russia. Currently, there are about 25,000 Indian students studying medicine in about 30 Russian universities that offer M.D, a degree equivalent to MBBS in India. All the Russian universities adhere to NMC guidelines - including the latest one issued by it in November, 2021 relating to the duration of the MBB program and internship, curriculum, medium of instruction (English), among others. The institutions have made sure that the safety of Indian students and their education are not impacted by the external geopolitical situations.”

“Moreover eight weeks of intense training offered every year by Academy for Foreign Medical Graduates, Delhi, from second year of study to final year is a promising feature that guarantees increase in pass percentage of students,” he added.

For more details and spot admissions students can attend All India Russian •Education Fair 2026. They can furnish valid credentials supporting their eligibility to pursue Bachelor’s / Post-graduate degree programs for 2026-27 academic year, scheduled to start from September, 2026.

A Journey from the Theatre Seat to Storytelling: Abhishek Murali Launches Sambar Cartel Studios

On the special occasion of his 30th birthday, producer Abhishek Murali announced the launch of Sambar Cartel Studios, a new production house rooted in authenticity, perspective, and a deep love for cinema.

In a heartfelt note, Abhishek reflected on the origins of his cinematic journey—one that began not in boardrooms or sets, but in the quiet darkness of a theatre in Cuddalore. As a young boy sitting in Krishnalaya Theatre, he found himself captivated by the magic of storytelling on screen. Though he did not fully understand every film he watched, he felt each moment deeply—an experience that stayed with him and shaped his path forward.

What began as fascination gradually evolved into curiosity, and eventually into a profound connection with stories. Over time, Abhishek began to see narratives in everyday life—in people, conversations, and fleeting moments—recognizing cinema as a reflection of lived experiences.

Balancing responsibilities from a young age, Abhishek stepped into his family business at 16 while continuing his education. His journey took him across cities and countries—from Cuddalore and Chennai to Singapore, Birmingham, and Sydney—exposing him to diverse cultures, perspectives, and stories that further enriched his worldview.

A defining inspiration had been a powerful line from the film Kuselan:

"Kadavul yaarunu naa paatha... adhai kannil kaatuvadhu indha cinema dhan" —a sentiment that underscored his belief in cinema as a medium that revealed truth, emotion, and meaning.

Sambar Cartel Studios was born out of this journey—not merely as a production house, but as a creative space committed to telling stories that matter. With a vision that valued honesty over formula, the studio aimed to champion fresh voices, unique perspectives, and narratives that resonated deeply with audiences.

“I stepped into this not with all the answers, but with a clear intent to build something meaningful,” said Abhishek Murali. “Great cinema isn’t created through formulas—it comes from courage, perspective, and the willingness to see the world differently.”

For Abhishek, this milestone marked more than just the beginning of a production venture. It represented the culmination of years of quiet inspiration and the start of a purposeful journey to create cinema that leaves a lasting impact—just like the feeling that once stayed with him in a silent theatre.

As he turned 30, Abhishek embraced this new chapter with gratitude and determination, ready to bring stories to life through Sambar Cartel Studios.