Medicine in India a 'trap'? Doctor’s 16-year journey post sparks heated debate as engineers say 'we’re struggling too'

A Reddit post by a 33-year-old doctor has triggered a wave of honest discussions about the reality of becoming a doctor in India. The post, titled “Becoming a doctor in India is a trap (monetary and career-wise)!”, was shared by a user named drnkr371, who spoke about the long and exhausting journey through medical education, the financial pressure, and the uncertainty of career rewards.

In the post, the doctor explained how they began studying medicine in 2009 with an MBBS degree, took a break of three years to prepare for postgrad entrance exams, and then spent six more years finishing both specialisation and super-specialisation.



“I’m 33 now and only just completing my training,” the post read. “It’s been a long, tiring process. Even now, things are tough. There are too many doctors these days, and the pay for newcomers has gone down.”

Looking back, the doctor said, “Those days of flashy doctors driving luxury cars are over. Opening a clinic of your own is nearly impossible now. Sometimes I wonder how life would’ve been if I had chosen engineering and settled down earlier. Tough luck in this life.”

The post quickly gained attention, with many users agreeing, some sharing encouragement, and others comparing it to different careers.

One user replied, “You’re not wrong. Medicine in India feels like a trap if your goal is a quick path to a Mercedes. That dream was never real. The age of celebrity doctors ended when big hospitals started treating doctors like replaceable workers.”

Another comment offered a long-term view, “Medicine is a slow and steady profession. The money comes later. You can work for many years, even into your 60s, at your own pace. IT workers, on the other hand, often worry about being jobless by 45.”

Some users also pointed out that things aren't always better on the engineering side. One said, “Even 33-year-old engineers aren’t doing great. Their jobs are less stable, and low-paying jobs are common. Engineering graduates outnumber doctors by far.”

They added, “People often compare themselves to the top engineers or those who did an MBA and earn big salaries. But that’s a small group, just like top doctors. If you’re ambitious, try for an MBA. You might have better chances of settling than many engineers.”