Total MBBS Seats in India

Total MBBS seats in India are 123,700 as per the latest NMC update for the 2025 academic year. This includes 6,850 newly approved seats and the removal of around 1,056 seats, leading to a net increase of 5,950 seats compared to last year’s count of 117,750.

These seats are distributed among government, private, and deemed universities across the country. For aspirants preparing for NEET, knowing the exact number of available MBBS seats is crucial because the demand is far greater than the supply. Despite the increase, lakhs of students struggle to secure admission in India, and many eventually choose MBBS abroad as an alternative.

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We will discuss further in more depth while discussing the total MBBS seats in India as well.

Total Number of Seats in India 2024: A List of MBBS Seat in India 

The MBBS seats in India have increased from the previous year's count. The government has added more capacity for new seats to allow more medical aspirants to join and study the MBBS. The NMC has made an official announcement to increase the MBBS seats by 6,850 in September 2025, and this brings the total MBBS seats in India to 1,24,998, while PG seats are at 74,306.

According to the official figures of the National Medical Commission (NMC), the total MBBS seats in India 2024 are 1,18,148 for all institutions. There are a total of 780 colleges in India which are offering both undergraduate degrees and postdoctoral programs for students in both majors. These total seats are allotted to each institution by the National Medical Commission. Let’s get a closer look into how these are allocated for each institution type.

MBBS Seats in Government Colleges

Government medical colleges remain the top choice for Indian aspirants due to lower tuition fees and better affordability.

• Total government MBBS seats (2025): 62,807
• Total government medical colleges: 389

Securing a seat in government colleges requires high NEET scores, often 600+ for top-ranked institutions.

MBBS Seats in Private Colleges 

Private medical colleges account for a large share of MBBS seats, but the cost of education is considerably higher compared to government institutions.

• Total private MBBS seats (2025): 60,893
• Total private medical colleges: 344

The NEET cutoff for private colleges varies by state and institution, with most well-recognised ones requiring 450–550+ marks.

MBBS Seats in Deemed Colleges 

Deemed universities are autonomous institutions recognised by the central government.

• Total deemed MBBS seats (2025): Around 10,000
• Total deemed universities offering MBBS: 59

The NEET cutoff for deemed universities is relatively lower, often starting around 200+, depending on the category and quota.

State-Wise MBBS Seats in India 2025

According to the NMC seat matrix, here are some of the leading states with the highest MBBS seats:  

This state-wise distribution shows that Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu lead in the number of MBBS seats.

Cut-Off Scores for the Admission to Pursue MBBS in India

To get an MBBS admission in India and secure the seats in a medical institution for medical aspirants begins with the NEET exam, which is a requirement for admission and further education and/or starting the career path for medical professionals in India (including the medical graduates from a foreign university). We will talk about the required scores in the exam for securing admission to a medical college, but first, we must understand how many total MBBS seats in India are available for students taking the NEET exam.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) oversees the exam for different types of tests and has been involved with the Department of Higher Education of the Ministry of Education in India. The NTA has certain criteria to ensure students are going to get a seat as per their merit, keeping a fair balance between their academic performance and the academic standards of the NEET system. The criteria for determining how many marks are required in NEET for MBBS students are based upon the following criteria:

• Total number of candidates
• Difficulty level of the exam
• How high are the scores
• Previous trend of NEET cutoffs
• Total MBBS seats in India

NEET Cutoffs in India for MBBS Aspirants Seeking Admission

There are different sets of requirements in India to determine how a student will secure a seat and get admission to any institution of higher learning to pursue the MBBS. The government has a different requirement for the NEET score than the minimum marks required in NEET for MBBS in private colleges. 

Government Colleges

• AIIMS Delhi (General): 705+

• Top State Medical Colleges: 650–690

• Tier-2 Colleges: 610–640

Private Colleges

• General Range: 350–500

• Well-Recognised Colleges: 450–550+

• Lower-Tier Colleges: 300–400

Deemed Universities

• Average NEET cutoff: 200+

Challenges for Medical Aspirants

Every year, over 20 lakh students register for NEET, but only about 8–13 lakh qualify. With just 1.23 lakh MBBS seats available, the competition remains intense. Not every qualified student secures admission in India, especially in government colleges, which are the most affordable and preferred option.

Due to this mismatch, more than 25,000 students choose to pursue MBBS abroad each year, where tuition fees are often lower than Indian private colleges and the education quality is globally recognised.

Conclusion:

The total MBBS seats in India in 2025 stand at 123,700 across 808 medical colleges. Despite the steady increase in seats, the competition is extremely high, and many aspirants fail to secure admission with in India.

For those students, MBBS abroad is a viable and cost-effective option, with several universities approved by the NMC. After clearing the FMGE exam, students can practice medicine in India with the same recognition as Indian graduates.

Free Counselling for MBBS Abroad

Considering the high cost of MBBS in Indian private and deemed colleges, many students prefer studying MBBS abroad. With several NMC-approved universities, Indian students can get international exposure, quality education, and return to India for practice after clearing FMGE.
To know more, connect with an expert counsellor at Education Vibes and start your journey today.