MP’s ₹10 Crore Hindi MBBS Experiment: Criticism and Policy Challenges

In an ambitious move to promote higher education in Hindi, the Madhya Pradesh government became the first state to offer MBBS courses in the language. The state invested nearly ₹10 crore on printing Hindi medical textbooks, aiming to make medical education more accessible. However, so far, not a single MBBS student has opted to take their exams in Hindi. Hence this does raise serious doubts to the success of the project. Even though the government is trying to put things in place, the English language still seems to be the preferred language in medical studies, in terms of exams and other key assessments.

 

Was ₹10 Crores Well Spent?

People in both the academic bodies and the student community are now questioning whether the 10 crores investment on Hindi textbooks could not have been used more effectively. This big amount of money is feared to have been much more productive in upgrading infrastructure in colleges and hostels, which have a direct influence on the learning situations as well as on the welfare of students.

 

Transliteration or Translation?

Taking a closer look at the textbooks related to MBBS studies in the Hindi language, one will be able to notice that a lot of the scientific and medical words remain untranslated but were merely transliterated. For example, the term “liver” is printed as ‘लिवर’ instead of the proper Hindi ‘यकृत’, “limb” as ‘लिंब’ rather than its correct Hindi equivalent, and Bones is printed in hindi font as “बोन्स” instead of “हड्डियाँ”. Such superficial changes do little to help students grasp complex concepts in their native language. The photos of the hindi MBBS book surfacing the internet shows many such terms triggering mockery and harsh comments. 

 

Transliterations of this kind might not aid students to orient their sincere understanding with the stuff or obtain undoubted conceptual awareness within the native language. One question that also arises is whether such textbooks are indeed helping medical education become more accessible or is it like a mere replica of an English based curriculum.

 

Comments and Reaction of The People

When the news was shared on X, people flooded the comment section calling it a “a big joke”. Here are some viewpoints that many agreed with: 

 

One X user pointed out a perspective that people were sharing right after the news, “This is one of the biggest  joke I have come across! This would create great confusion. Then, you have the issue of interoperability between states. Why would someone from the Northeast, for example, would take the course in hindi? The biggest one - it's all English in Devnagiri!” 

 

Another X user commented, “You have to update language lexicon to include words for all sciences, philosophies, governance and logistics terminologies. And then adopt it as a trial model in a state policy. To make it available for masses everywhere. Make it available in both hindi and english in the state”

 

There were also comments around the 10cr budget. One user commented, “Someone must have definitely made at least one house in printing these books into hindi.. 10 cr Mein 5% to commission banta hai”.

 

A user with a broader perspective commented saying, “This is actually correct version. Nobody needs to learn यकृत for liver. We are already confused enough to learn if गुर्दा means kidney or heart. For God's sake, stop making mockery of things. Nobody uses pure hindi, u don't need it. Hinglish is best way forward.” 

 

There were extreme comments; majority were in disagreement while others with their critical viewpoint supported the initiative’s intent. 

 

New Measures to Promote This Initiative

With an inadequate reception, instigators are currently attempting new means to foster usage. Registrar Baghel has pointed out that the medical and dental students who opt to write their examination in Hindi will be allowed a 50% relief in examination fees. The incentive may save the students 3,000 rupees per exam attempt assuming that the average MBBS Exam fee is approximately 6,000 rupees.

 

It is the case that shows the issues of localising technical education in India. Although it is a good idea to promote Hindi and other regional languages, such practice should not be limited to textbook conversion. Proper translation, improved infrastructure, as well as to know the actual requirements of students is the key to success of such mass scale educational changes.

 

Ultimately, if the MP government wants its Hindi MBBS initiative to succeed, it must focus on practical solutions, including better translations, understanding student needs, and ensuring hindi medical education stays relevant and accessible in today’s India.