Total MBBS Seats in India

Total MBBS seats in India are 1,28,875 as per the NMC new update in October 2025, which added 10,650 new MBBS seats for undergraduate students. These are divided between the three main institution types in India – government, private, and deemed. With the announcement during the 2025 Union Budget, the Government of India proposed to add 10,650 more seats in mid-October, raising the MBBS seats in India from 1,17,750 (number of MBBS seats in 2024 as per NMC data) to 1,28,875 at the present moment.

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 

According to the official figures of the National Medical Commission (NMC), the total MBBS seats in India 2024 are 1,17,750 for all institutions. There are a total of 780 colleges in India that offer undergraduate degrees, and these are allotted to each kind of institution by the National Medical Commission. Let’s get a closer look at how these are allocated for each institution type.

MBBS Seats in Government Colleges

Among the total MBBS seats in India, a majority of seats are allocated to government colleges and universities. According to the latest figures from the NMC, total government MBBS seats in India are about 55,360 in all of 469 government colleges.

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

MBBS Seats in Private Colleges 

There are a total of 320 private colleges in India that have a higher level of academic and technical education than the government, but they are also very expensive compared with government colleges. The total number of seats in private colleges in India is currently about 61,565.

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 

The total MBBS seats in India for deemed colleges have increased to over 10,000. These seats are available in more than 40 colleges (45 as per the latest data from the sources).

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

The state-wise distribution of MBBS seats in India shows that Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu lead among the top ones. 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

To secure seats for pursuing MBBS, the government colleges require an average of 550+ NEET scores per year. The total government MBBS seats in India are available for students who qualify in the following categories:

• AIIMS Delhi – 705+ (general category)
• Top State Medical Colleges – 650-690
• Tier-2 Medical College – 610-640

Private Colleges

Total MBBS seats in India for private medical colleges stand at 48,990. To distribute these MBBS seats among the MBBS aspirants in India at the private colleges, the minimum marks required in NEET for MBBS in private colleges are in the following range:

• General Range* – 350-500 (all categories)
• Well-recognised Colleges – 450-550+
• Low-tier Colleges* – 300-400

Admissions in low-tier colleges based on the NEET cutoffs also depend on management and NRI admission quotas. In addition to this, the aforementioned general range of NEET scores for admission to private colleges in India is an exception for a few cases where the requirement for admission has a higher NEET cutoff for private colleges. This includes states like Kerala, Karnataka, and Maharashtra, along with Jamia Millia Islamia College in Delhi.

Deemed Universities

Total MBBS seats in India for deemed colleges are the lowest among all three different types of institutions offering admission to pursue an MBBS in India. However, these are autonomous institutions, centralised by the central government but operating entirely independently. The average NEET cutoff required for admission to deemed colleges in India is 200 or higher.

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 1,28,875 across 819 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.