Indian students stranded in Iran asked for help, disruption in March exams became a challenge

Amid rising geopolitical tensions between Iran and the US, Indian students—especially medical undergraduates from Jammu and Kashmir—have appealed for help to return home safely without sacrificing their studies. The Indian Embassy in Tehran issued an urgent advisory on February 23, 2026, appealing to all citizens (including students) to take commercial flights following earlier warnings in January.

Many students enrolled in programs at Iranian universities face a difficult choice: stay until the March exams or leave and risk repeating a year. Institutions have not announced a postponement, with a required national exam (Olam-e-Paye/Comprehensive Basic Science) scheduled for March 5, 2026—which is required to advance to clinical training after approximately 2.5 years of study.

The All India Medical Students Association (AIMSA) through its Foreign Students Wing wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding immediate intervention. In the letter, the Indian Embassy has been requested to work with Iranian authorities and universities to postpone the exams of Indian students, so that they can return safely amid security concerns.

Students’ voices reflect concern: Bilal Bhat told ANI over Zoom that families are worried, daily life is going on, flights are available, but many are restless due to the uncertainty of how the situation will escalate. “We want to come back home… but our exams are scheduled in March and there is no clarity on postponing,” he said.

J&K AIMSA President Mohammad Momin Khan insisted on a formal appeal to the PMO for diplomatic support to adjust the schedule, not evacuation at this stage. Families in India are closely following developments.

Although some students returned during the recent holidays, hundreds of students in the crucial phase of academics are still in wait-and-watch mode, balancing safety and professional futures. This situation highlights the challenges for Indian diaspora students in unstable areas.