India is home to over 40 top medical colleges, with more than 30 government-owned institutions and 10 privately managed ones. Admission to these prestigious colleges is primarily based on entrance exams such as NEET, Haryana NEET, INI CET, KEAM, and Kerala NEET, with NEET being the most prominent and widely accepted. The top five medical colleges include Christian Medical College (CMC), MS Ramaiah Medical College, Government Medical College, Medical College, and S.M.S Medical College.
As per the NIRF 2024 rankings, AIIMS Delhi has retained its position as the No. 1 medical college in India under the Medical category. Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC) is highly regarded for offering affordable medical courses. Notably, the top five medical colleges of 2023 have successfully maintained their rankings in 2024.
Key Updates:
- NEET MDS 2025 is scheduled for January 31, 2025.
Highlights of Top Medical Colleges in India (2025)
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Medical Colleges | 40+ |
| Government Medical Colleges | 30+ |
| Private Medical Colleges | 10+ |
| Key Entrance Exams | NEET, NEET PG, INI CET, KEAM, Haryana NEET, Kerala NEET |
| Popular Specializations | Cardiology, Cardiovascular Technology, Echo Cardiology, Emergency Medicine, Operation Theatre Technology |
Admission Highlights 2025
For undergraduate courses like MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BUMS, and BSc (Hons.) Nursing, the NEET UG score is the primary criterion. Other specializations such as Pharmacy may require exams like AP NEET or SAAT. Most top medical colleges are concentrated in states like Delhi/NCR, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh.
- Course Duration:
- Undergraduate: 4-5 years
- Postgraduate: 3 years
Fee Distribution
| Annual Fees | Number of Colleges |
| INR < 1 lakh | 10+ |
| INR 1-2 lakh | 8 |
| INR 2-3 lakh | 3 |
| INR 3-5 lakh | 1 |
| INR > 5 lakh | 15 |
NIRF Ranking 2024: Top 10 Medical Colleges in India
The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) ranks medical institutes annually based on criteria like Teaching, Learning & Resources (TLR), Research and Professional Practice (RP), Graduation Outcomes (GO), Outreach and Inclusivity (OI), and Peer Perception.
| College Name | NIRF 2022 | NIRF 2023 | NIRF 2024 |
| All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry | 6 | 5 | 5 |
| Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS), Lucknow | 7 | 7 | 6 |
| Banaras Hindu University (BHU) | 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham (Amrita University), Coimbatore | 8 | 6 | 8 |
| Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Manipal | 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Madras Medical College and Government General Hospital, Chennai | 12 | 11 | 10 |
Disclaimer: Information is sourced from the official NIRF website and may vary.
Direction-Wise Top Medical Colleges in India
- North: AIIMS Delhi, PGIMER Chandigarh
- South: NIMHANS Bangalore, CMC Vellore
- East: Banaras Hindu University, Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences
- West: Kasturba Medical College, Amrita University
Top Private Medical Colleges in India
| College Name | Location | Fee Range |
| Christian Medical College | Vellore | INR 3-5 lakh |
| Kasturba Medical College | Manipal | INR > 5 lakh |
| SRM Medical College | Chennai | INR > 5 lakh |
Top Government Medical Colleges in India
| College Name | Location | Fee Range |
| AIIMS | Delhi | INR < 1 lakh |
| PGIMER | Chandigarh | INR 1-2 lakh |
| Maulana Azad Medical College | Delhi | INR < 1 lakh |
Scholarships for Medical Students (2025)
Scholarships are available for students in top medical colleges. Some popular schemes include:
- National Scholarship Scheme: For meritorious students with financial need.
- AIIMS Merit-Based Scholarship: Offered to top-performing students.
- State Government Scholarships: Varies by state, offering fee waivers and stipends.
Top Medical Colleges in India: Admissions 2025
Eligibility Criteria for MBBS Admissions:
To apply for the top MBBS colleges in India, candidates must fulfill the following criteria:
- Pass Class 12 with Science stream (Physics, Chemistry, Biology).
- Achieve a minimum of 50% aggregate marks or equivalent CGPA (45% for reserved categories).
- Attain the age of 17 years by December 31 of the admission year.
- Be an Indian citizen, Overseas Citizen of India (OCI), or Person of Indian Origin (PIO).
Disclaimer: Information is sourced from the official websites of institutes/exams.
Quick Links for Medical Courses:
- BHMS
- Physiotherapy
- BVSc
- Veterinary Science
Entrance Exams Schedule 2025
The leading entrance exams for medical colleges in India are:
- NEET PG:
- For admission to MD, MS, and PG Diploma courses.
- Preparation involves strategies, mock tests, and practice as it is a challenging exam.
- NEET UG:
- The only entrance test for MBBS and BDS programs.
- Covers Physics, Chemistry, and Biology from Class 11 and 12 CBSE syllabus.
- Conducted in 13 languages.
- INI CET:
- Conducted by AIIMS Delhi for postgraduate courses such as MS, MD, MDS, DM, and MCh.
- KEAM:
- A state-level entrance exam for medical, agriculture, and veterinary courses in Kerala.
Exam Dates and Schedule:
| Exam | Date for 2025 | Applicable Courses |
|---|---|---|
| NEET PG | Over for 2024 | MD, MS, PG Diploma, and DNB |
| NEET UG | Over for 2024 | MBBS, BDS, BSc Nursing, BAMS, Veterinary |
| INI CET | January 10, 2025 | MS, MD, MDS, DM, MCh |
| KEAM | Over for 2024 | Medical, Agriculture, Veterinary, Pharmacy |
Disclaimer: Dates and details sourced from official websites.
Preparation Resources for NEET
- NCERT Class 11 Solutions: Chemistry, Physics, Maths.
- NEET Mock Test Papers: Free download available.
Top Medical Colleges in India by Region
Here are the region-wise distributions of top medical colleges:
| Region | Number of Colleges | Popular States |
| North | 20+ | Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Delhi |
| East | 5 | Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar |
| West | 5 | Maharashtra, Gujarat, MP |
| South | 10+ | Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu |
Leading Medical Colleges in India by Region
North India:
| College Name | Tuition Fee |
| AIIMS Delhi | INR 6,075 |
| Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute | INR 1.05 lakh |
| KGMU | INR 2.14 lakh |
| AIIMS Jodhpur | INR 24,102 |
| Vardhaman Mahavir Medical College | INR 2.56 lakh |
East India:
| College Name | Tuition Fee |
| SOA University | INR 7.20 lakh |
| AIIMS Bhubaneswar | INR 1.05 lakh |
| Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education | INR 40,500 |
| AIIMS Patna | INR 4,500 |
West India:
| College Name | Tuition Fee |
| Dr. D.Y. Patil College of Ayurved | INR 24.75 lakh |
| Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education | INR 7.83 lakh |
| AIIMS Bhopal | INR 4,788 |
| B.J. Medical College, Ahmedabad | INR 1.13 lakh |
South India:
| College Name | Tuition Fee |
| Christian Medical College | INR 13,500 |
| NIMHANS | INR 12,200 |
| Amrita Center for Nanoscience | INR 3.35 lakh |
| Kasturba Medical College | INR 10.38 lakh |
Top Medical Courses in India
| Course Name | Eligibility/Exams | Popular Colleges |
| MBBS | Class 12 with PCB, NEET UG | AIIMS, PGIMER, CMC |
| BDS | Class 12 with PCB, NEET UG | SIMTS, MAIDS, Dr. D.Y. Patil |
| MD | MBBS + Internship, NEET PG | AIIMS, CMC, PGIMER |
| MS | MBBS + Internship, NEET PG | AIIMS, PGIMER, CMC |
| MDS | BDS + Internship, NEET MDS | AIIMS, MAIDS, SIMTS |
Disclaimer: Details may vary by institution.
Top Government Medical Colleges
| College Name | Total Tuition Fee |
| AIIMS Delhi | INR 6,075 |
| NIMHANS | INR 12,200 |
| JIPMER Puducherry | INR 30,465 |
| Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute | INR 1.05 lakh |
| Madras Medical College | INR 68,018 |
Disclaimer: Information sourced from media reports and NIRF websites.
Scholarships 2025
- AIIMS Delhi Scholarship
- CMC Vellore Scholarship
- JIPMER Scholarship
- BHU Scholarship
FAQs
1. What is the best medical college in India according to NIRF 2024?
AIIMS Delhi has retained its position as the top-ranked medical college.
2. What is the most widely accepted entrance exam for medical colleges in India?
NEET UG is the most widely accepted entrance exam for admission to undergraduate medical courses like MBBS and BDS.
This comprehensive overview provides essential details on rankings, admissions, and costs, guiding aspirants to choose the best medical college in India for their careers.