I’m 28 now. I spent over a decade trying to become a doctor the so-called noble profession. School, entrance exams, MBBS, internship, and then the endless loop of PG prep. I’m not even counting the strikes, COVID duties, or the sheer mental drain of it all. And for what? To sit jobless or get offered peanuts for a role that doesn’t even match my skill?
Let’s be real. Being a doctor in India today feels like a scam. You kill your youth chasing something that barely respects your time, energy, or sacrifice. You come out with a degree and think life will finally start. But unless you’re from a top college or have connections, you’re stuck either working in some low-grade setup for ₹45,000 to ₹50,000 or waiting years to crack PG again. It feels like life’s on pause while the rest of the world moves on.
Meanwhile, your school friends are working decent jobs, switching careers, growing financially, traveling, maybe even settling down. And you’re still stuck in some hospital corridor, refreshing your NMC login or waiting for counseling updates like it’s a lottery.
I’m not saying don’t become a doctor. But I wish someone had told me the full picture. It’s not always prestige and respect. Most times, it’s burnout, poor pay, and zero work-life balance. That’s the reality unless you’re extremely lucky or come from money.
People think once you become a doctor, you’re set. Truth is, the struggle just changes form. And if you’re not in PG or some fancy private setup, you’re made to feel like a failure. At 28, I should be building my life, not sitting around wondering if I messed it all up ten years ago.
So yeah, being a doctor isn’t always worth it. Not in India. Not like this.