Bengaluru Hospital’s Udaan Initiative Benefits Over 2,000 Medical Students

 

Project Udaan, Bengaluru Hospital's Udaan Initiative, is an extension of a similar programme launched in West Bengal called ‘Udayer Pathe’ (On the Path of Growth). Devised by Dr Devi Shetty, this initiative aims to create opportunities for bright students from economically challenged backgrounds to study medicine and serve rural areas across India. Programme outcomes include 36 admissions to AIIMS and over 360 Karnataka Medical Students securing seats in government medical colleges in just the last three years.

 

Udaan is a scholarship and mentorship programme run by Narayana Health, a healthcare group with major hospitals in Bengaluru and other locations. The benefits are directed to Karnataka Medical Students pursuing healthcare education, not to patients in private hospitals. This article provides an overview of the Udaan scheme, Bengaluru Hospital’s Udaan Initiative, eligibility, document requirements, and tips for applying to the Udaan scheme for Karnataka Medical Students.

 

Overview of the Bengaluru Hospital's Udaan Initiative

 

UDAAN (CSR), Bengaluru Hospital's Udaan Initiative by Narayana Health, provides structured academic guidance and financial assistance to meritorious students seeking admission to government medical, nursing, and paramedical institutions.

 

Dr Devi Prasad Shetty is a renowned Indian cardiac surgeon, philanthropist, and the founder of Narayana Health, headquartered in Bengaluru. Widely recognised for pioneering affordable healthcare and telemedicine in India, he has performed over 100,000 heart surgeries. He has been honoured with the Padma Bhushan (2012) and the Padma Shri (2003). 

 

Dr D. Shetty believes that Karnataka Medical Students from economically weaker sections should also have sufficient opportunities to pursue a medical career in government medical colleges. He has expressed that wealthier individuals can contribute to Bengaluru Hospital's Udaan Initiative at least ₹50,000 to support such Karnataka Medical Students so that the nation can have skilled doctors in future generations. These Karnataka Medical Students are highly motivated and willing to learn over time; with the right opportunity, India can nurture high-quality doctors from the EWS category as well through Bengaluru Hospital's Udaan Initiative.

 

The Bengaluru Hospital's Udaan Initiative for Karnataka Medical Students offers academic guidance, mentorship, and financial support. By reducing barriers to medical education, Bengaluru Hospital's Udaan Initiative is helping to build a stronger healthcare workforce in the state.

 

Aims of the Bengaluru Hospital's Udaan Initiative UDAAN Scheme

 

• Bengaluru Hospital's Udaan Initiative build a more equitable healthcare workforce by helping talented youth from Karnataka Medical students who have low-income families, enter the medical and nursing professions.
• Bengaluru Hospital's Udaan Initiative encourages and supports Karnataka Medical students to serve in underserved regions once they are qualified.

 

Devi Shetty recently felicitated Karnataka Medical Students supported by Udaan (Bengaluru Hospital's Udaan Initiative), many of whom are first-generation entrants into the healthcare profession.

 

India faces a significant shortfall of doctors. According to the World Health Organisation, India has about 7 doctors for every 10,000 people, half the global average. Another major challenge is the reluctance of doctors to work in rural areas. In light of these issues, the objective of  Bengaluru Hospital's Udaan Initiative  (Udaan programme) is to nurture the potential of rural Karnataka Medical Students from disadvantaged backgrounds and create a pathway they can use to obtain an MBBS degree. Bengaluru Hospital's Udaan Initiative hopes that these initiatives will enable Karnataka Medical Students to realise their dreams of becoming competent physicians, inspire other students, and practice ethical healthcare, thereby serving the larger community.

 

In addition to scholarships from Bengaluru Hospital's Udaan Initiative, students are mentored regularly by a panel of academicians and physicians from Narayana Health. The mentoring programme of  Bengaluru Hospital's Udaan Initiative is designed to provide support, motivation, and inspiration. Students visit the hospital and get opportunities to interact with eminent doctors from various medical disciplines. These doctors share their own life experiences, helping students learn and develop the mindset needed to achieve their goals.

 

Dr Shetty has also emphasised the need to strengthen access to healthcare for millions of people. He noted that while 55,000 medical seats existed earlier, the government has created an additional 75,000 medical seats over the last 10 years.

 

 

Also Read: St. John’s Medical College MBBS Admission 2026 Registration and Eligibility

 

Bengaluru Hospital’s UDAAN Initiative

 

Udaan is a major  Bengaluru Hospital's Udaan Initiative of the Mindtree Foundation, in association with Narayana Health and the Sikshana Foundation. The story began when Narayana Hospitals (NH), founded by Dr Devi Shetty, recognised that doctors in urban areas are often unwilling to take up less lucrative jobs in rural regions. Rather than trying to attract urban doctors to rural postings, Dr Shetty decided to work at the grassroots level by providing scholarships to bright rural students facing serious financial constraints. These scholarships enable rural students to pursue a career in medicine, along with mentoring that begins from around the age of 13. Refer to the table for a clear view of the UDAAN Scheme origin.

 

 

According to recent reports, the programme has seen significant success in the current academic cycle and now operates across 8 states and supports students in over 30 government medical colleges. 205 students secured government medical seats this year, including 36 admissions to AIIMS. Women accounted for 53% of the NEET aspirants supported during the year. The average annual cost to train one doctor under the programme is approximately ₹50,400. The  Bengaluru Hospital's Udaan Initiative then expanded within the Bengaluru private hospital ecosystem. 

 

Eligibility Criteria for the UDAAN Scheme

 

Narayana Health does not provide a simple “apply here” portal like many government scholarship schemes. 

 

• Students with strong academic performance and potential for medical or nursing education, particularly those from low-income families.

• Eligibility tests, academic requirements, and final selection are typically conducted through outreach or nominations by partner organisations working with local schools, NGOs, and community groups in states where Udaan operates.

• Academic merit (NEET score or equivalent achievement level)

• Economic need (limited family income)

• Clear interest and commitment to a career in healthcare

 

However, interested students or guardians can contact Narayana Health’s foundation or CSR team to enquire about upcoming cohorts or selection drives.