Association between Emotional Intelligence and Academic Performance among Medical College Students: A Tertiary Care Center Study in South India

Background: Emotional Intelligence (EI) plays a vital role in academic success, particularly in demanding fields such as medical education. Objective: To assess the association between emotional intelligence and academic performance among medical students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 500 medical students in a tertiary care center in south India. EI was assessed using the Emotional Intelligence Scale (EIS), and academic performance was measured using CGPA. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, linear regression, and normality testing. Results: The mean EI score was 118.4 ± 15.2 and mean CGPA was 7.4 ± 0.8. A significant positive correlation was observed between EI and CGPA (r = 0.42, p < 0.001). Regression analysis showed EI as a significant predictor of academic performance (β = 0.42, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Emotional Intelligence significantly influences academic performance. Integrating EI training into medical curricula may enhance student outcomes and well-being.