
Securing MBBS admission in India is highly competitive, with over 400 colleges offering it, but only around half being government-owned. Private colleges constitute the majority, numbering over 200. The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), administered annually by the National Testing Agency (NTA), is a prerequisite for admission. However, many students encounter challenges due to low NEET scores, impacting their chances of securing admission to MBBS programs in India.
Quick
Information
- Basic eligibility: Completion of 10+2 with Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) with a good score
- NEET Exam: Mandatory, with high scores required for admission
- IELTS & TOEFL: Not necessary for admission
- Minimum course fee: Approximately Rs. 4 Lakhs per year
- Maximum course fee: Around Rs. 15 Lakhs per year
- Cost of living in India: Estimated at Rs. 9,000 per month
- Course duration: 5.5 years of academic study plus 1 year of internship
- University recognition: Approval by the National Medical Commission (NMC) and World Health Organization (WHO)
- Medium of education: Instruction primarily in English
- Top Medical University: All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)
- Climate conditions: Varied, including hot, cold, and rainy seasons
The Remarkable Advantages of MBBS in India
Studying MBBS in India offers numerous advantages due to its top-ranked medical institutions and diverse patient population. Here's a concise overview of the benefits:
• Access to top-ranked medical institutions with renowned faculty.
• Exposure to a wide range of medical cases, enhancing practical knowledge.
• Opportunities to practice in real medical emergencies, preparing students for future challenges.
• Sense of pride and familiarity with the country and its medical colleges.
• Maintaining close ties with family, friends, and cultural comforts.
• Exemption from NMC Screening Test or FMGE exam, reducing administrative burdens.
• Immediate licensure upon graduation, facilitating professional practice.
• Negligible fees in government medical colleges, ensuring affordability.
• Cost-effective MBBS education ranging from 3-5 lakhs.
• Participation in national and international conferences, broadening academic horizons.
• Enhanced job prospects, including opportunities for part-time work in private medical colleges.
• Smooth transition to postgraduate studies with a uniform medical curriculum across institutions.
Why Choose MBBS in India?
• India houses some of the world’s premier medical universities, offering top-notch education.
• With over 300 medical universities and colleges, including around 180 private institutions, students have a diverse range of options.
• Approximately 72,098 seats are available, ensuring ample opportunities for aspiring doctors.
• Renowned for excellence in research and training, Indian MBBS programs rank highly worldwide.
• Indian medical schools impart exceptional clinical knowledge and expertise to students.
• Participation in international seminars and conferences enriches students’ academic experience.
• The curriculum in Indian medical colleges adheres to global standards, ensuring quality education.
• Graduates of Indian MBBS programs have the freedom to practice medicine globally.
• Hands-on training on real human bodies enhances students’ practical skills and clinical readiness.
• Candidates must be at least 17 years old and not exceed 25 years at the time of MBBS admission.
• General category students must score 50% in 12th grade, while reserved category candidates need a minimum of 40%.
• For AIIMS, the required percentage is 60% for general category and 45% for SC/ST and OBC candidates.
• Essential subjects in 12th grade include Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
• NEET is compulsory, with additional entrance exams such as JIPMER or AIIMS entrance tests, Kerala CEE, Karnataka CET, etc., also available.
Documents Required for MBBS Admission in India
Candidates eligible for MBBS admission after the NEET exam results must present the following documents during counseling:
• Metric (Class 10th) Mark Sheet & Passing Certificate
• Class 12th Mark Sheet & Passing Certificate
• NEET Admit Card
• NEET Rank Card
• Category Certificate (if applicable)
• Character Certificate
• Migration Certificate
• Passport-size Photographs
- MBBS in India spans 5.5 years, with 4.5 years dedicated to classroom study and a final year for internship.
- Postgraduate programs like MD or MS typically require 3 years.
- Diploma courses in medicine generally last for two years.
- Specialization programs vary in duration based on the field, ranging from a few years to several, depending on the specialty.
What is the main difference in doing MBBS in India and MBBS abroad?
The main differences between pursuing MBBS in India and abroad are significant factors to consider for aspiring medical students:
• Course Length: MBBS in India typically spans 5.5 years, including 4.5 years of study and one year of internship, whereas abroad, it’s usually a 6-year program comprising 5 years of theoretical study and one year of internship.
• Course Fee: Indian government colleges offer lower fees compared to private institutions. Abroad, there are usually no donations required, and the annual academic fees are often less than those in Indian private medical colleges.
• Reputation: While few Indian medical schools rank among the world’s best, studying abroad may provide access to institutions with higher global rankings.
• Personality Development: Overseas education offers exposure to diverse cultures, fostering personal growth and global outlook, unlike studying within India.
• NMC Screening Test: Graduates of foreign medical schools must pass the NMC Screening Test (FMGE) to practice in India, whereas Indian graduates receive a license without examination.
• Global Exposure: Studying abroad introduces students to people from various countries, facilitating cultural exchange and broadening horizons.
• Clinical Insights: Indian hospitals provide ample clinical exposure due to the country’s large population, but studying abroad may offer exposure to new research and development opportunities.
• Infrastructure: Medical universities abroad often boast world-class facilities, unlike many Indian institutions, enhancing the quality of education.
• Global Reputation: Institutions with global recognition provide a competitive edge and enhanced opportunities for professional growth.
• Family and Friends: Studying in India allows students to remain close to family and friends, maintaining cultural ties and enjoying familiar surroundings.
• NEET Exam: Admission to Indian medical colleges requires competitive performance in the NEET exam, adding to the selection process complexity.

Studying MBBS in India offers numerous favorable reasons:
- Government-awarded MBBS degrees hold high academic reputation.
- Indian medical institutions provide excellent clinical education.
- Ample patient exposure due to the country’s large population.
- No mandatory screening tests for Indian graduates to practice medicine in the country.
- Affordable education costs, averaging 3-5 lakhs for the entire course if NEET is cleared with a good rank.
- Close proximity to friends and family, a significant cultural value for Indians.
- High job prospects for graduates from reputable Indian medical colleges.
MBBS Seats in India
The number of NEET UG for MBBS courses in India can change from year to year as new Medical colleges are established, existing ones expand, and government policies evolve. These MBBS seats are distributed across various types of institutions.
Candidates can check the NEET UG for MBBS seat intake for various colleges in the table below:
State/UT | No. of Govt. MBBS Seats | No. of Private MBBS Seats | Total no. of MBBS Seats |
Uttar Pradesh | 4,303 | 4,750 | 9,053 |
Delhi | 1,247 | 250 | 1,497 |
Andaman & Nicobar Islands | 100 | 0 | 100 |
Andhra Pradesh | 2,485 | 2,850 | 5,335 |
Arunachal Pradesh | 50 | 0 | 50 |
Assam | 1,150 | 0 | 1,150 |
Bihar | 1,515 | 900 | 2,415 |
Chandigarh | 150 | 0 | 150 |
Chhattisgarh | 965 | 600 | 1,565 |
Dadra and Nagar Haveli | 150 | 0 | 150 |
Goa | 180 | 0 | 180 |
Gujarat | 3,700 | 2,000 | 5,700 |
Haryana | 710 | 950 | 1,660 |
Himachal Pradesh | 770 | 150 | 920 |
Jammu and Kashmir | 1,047 | 100 | 1,147 |
Jharkhand | 680 | 250 | 930 |
Karnataka | 3,150 | 6,995 | 10,145 |
Kerala | 1,555 | 2,700 | 4,255 |
Madhya Pradesh | 2,180 | 1,900 | 4,080 |
Maharashtra | 4,825 | 5,070 | 9,895 |
Manipur | 225 | 150 | 375 |
Meghalaya | 50 | 0 | 50 |
Mizoram | 100 | 0 | 100 |
Odisha | 1,375 | 750 | 2,125 |
Puducherry | 380 | 1,250 | 1,630 |
Punjab | 800 | 950 | 1,750 |
Rajasthan | 3,055 | 950 | 4,005 |
Sikkim | 0 | 150 | 150 |
Tamil Nadu | 5,225 | 5,500 | 10,725 |
Telangana | 1,840 | 3,200 | 5,040 |
Tripura | 125 | 100 | 225 |
Uttarakhand | 700 | 450 | 1,150 |
West Bengal | 3,225 | 1,000 | 4,225 |
Total | 48,012 | 43,915 | 91,927 |
Top NIRF MBBS Colleges in India - 2023
Name | City | State | Score | NIRF Rank |
All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi | New Delhi | Delhi | 94.32 | 1 |
Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research | Chandigarh | Chandigarh | 81.1 | 2 |
Christian Medical College | Vellore | Tamil Nadu | 75.29 | 3 |
National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences | Bangalore | Karnataka | 72.46 | 4 |
Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education & Research | Puducherry | Pondicherry | 72.1 | 5 |
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham | Coimbatore | Tamil Nadu | 70.84 | 6 |
Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences | Lucknow | Uttar Pradesh | 69.62 | 7 |
Banaras Hindu University | Varanasi | Uttar Pradesh | 68.75 | 8 |
Kasturba Medical College, Manipal | Manipal | Karnataka | 66.19 | 9 |
Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology | Thiruvananthapuram | Kerala | 65.24 | 10 |
Madras Medical College & Government General Hospital | Chennai | Tamil Nadu | 64.43 | 11 |
King George`s Medical University | Lucknow | Uttar Pradesh | 63.93 | 12 |
All India Institute of Medical Sciences Jodhpur | Jodhpur | Rajasthan | 62.43 | 13 |
Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital | New Delhi | Delhi | 61.73 | 14 |
Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth | Pune | Maharashtra | 61.35 | 15 |
Siksha O Anusandhan | Bhubaneswar | Odisha | 60.66 | 16 |
All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bhubaneswar | Khordha | Odisha | 60.65 | 17 |
Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences | Chennai | Tamil Nadu | 60.61 | 18 |
St. John’s Medical College | Bengaluru | Karnataka | 60.49 | 19 |
S.R.M. Institute of Science and Technology | Chennai | Tamil Nadu | 60.47 | 20 |
Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research | Chennai | Tamil Nadu | 60.44 | 21 |
All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh | Rishikesh | Uttarakhand | 60.06 | 22 |
Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences | New Delhi | Delhi | 59.59 | 23 |
Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education & Research | Kolkata | West Bengal | 58.49 | 24 |
Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research | Wardha | Maharashtra | 58.48 | 25 |
Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology | Bhubaneswar | Odisha | 57.39 | 26 |
All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna | Patna | Bihar | 57.3 | 27 |
Aligarh Muslim University | Aligarh | Uttar Pradesh | 56.92 | 28 |
Jamia Hamdard | New Delhi | Delhi | 56.36 | 29 |
Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore | Mangalore | Karnataka | 56.3 | 30 |
Lady Hardinge Medical College | New Delhi | Delhi | 55.78 | 31 |
Govt. Medical College & Hospital | Chandigarh | Chandigarh | 55.34 | 32 |
Maulana Azad Medical College | Delhi | Delhi | 55.34 | 32 |
Maharishi Markandeshwar | Ambala | Haryana | 54.87 | 34 |
Dayanand Medical College | Ludhiana | Punjab | 54.75 | 35 |
University College of Medical Sciences | Delhi | Delhi | 54.68 | 36 |
JSS Medical College, Mysore | Mysore | Karnataka | 54.13 | 37 |
All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bhopal | Bhopal | Madhya Pradesh | 53.94 | 38 |
All India Institute of Medical Sciences Raipur | Raipur | Chhattisgarh | 53.92 | 39 |
PSG Institute of Medical Sciences & Research | Coimbatore | Tamil Nadu | 53.68 | 40 |
Gujarat Cancer & Research Institute | Ahmadabad | Gujarat | 52.61 | 41 |
Christian Medical College, Brown Road, Ludhiana | Ludhiana | Punjab | 52.46 | 42 |
M. S. Ramaiah Medical College | Bengaluru | Karnataka | 52.44 | 43 |
Government Medical College Thiruvananthapuram | Thiruvananthapuram | Kerala | 51.91 | 44 |
Medical College | Kolkata | West Bengal | 51.17 | 45 |
Sawai Man Singh Medical College | Jaipur | Rajasthan | 51.12 | 46 |
Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute | Puducherry | Pondicherry | 50.86 | 47 |
Chettinad Academy of Research and Education | Kelambakkam, Chengalpattu District | Tamil Nadu | 50.72 | 48 |
Pt. B.D.Sharma, PGIMS | Rohtak | Haryana | 49.73 | 49 |
B. J. Medical College | Ahmadabad | Gujarat | 49.71 | 50 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, medical colleges in India are known for offering world-class education.
AIIMS (All India Institute for Medical Sciences) is considered one of the best medical colleges in India.
Government medical colleges in India provide low-cost and economical MBBS. However, private colleges are expensive.
It usually depends on the student’s ability, hard work, and concentration towards studying for the NEET exam.
If students do not score well in NEET, they can approach private colleges in India.
Yes, candidates have to pass the exit test before practicing in India