Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery [MBBS] – 5.5 Years – Medicine, Surgery, Paediatrics, Community Medicine & more. Open to students with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology and English – Admission through NEET UG and counselling.
Course Highlights
| Colleges | Duration | National Entrance Exam | Listed Total Course Fee Span | Approx. Average Starting Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 649 Colleges | 5.5 Years | 1 – NEET UG | INR 1,600 – INR 5.50 Crore | ~INR 5.04 LPA |
Quick Facts
- Duration: 5.5 years: 4.5 academic years + 1-year Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI)
- Eligibility: 10+2/equivalent passed with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology and English. Minimum age: 17 years by December 31, 2026. Current 2026 rules do not state a separate Class 12 PCB aggregate percentage; an applicable NEET qualifying percentile must be met.
- Entrance Exam: NEET UG
- Selection: NEET UG All India Rank – MCC/state counselling – choice filling – seat allotment – document verification
- Approx. Total Cost: Major government-college examples: about INR 5,300 – INR 2.65 lakh total course fee; selected private-college examples: about INR 2.89 lakh – INR 72.34 lakh+. Hostel, mess, security and other charges may be additional.
- Admission Season: NEET 2026 application: February–March; re-exam: June 21; result: July 16; counselling: July/August onwards.
Top Entrance Exams
NEET UG: Undergraduate Medical Entrance / National Testing Agency (National-level – NTA)
For: All recognised MBBS colleges in India, including AIIMS, JIPMER, government medical colleges, private medical colleges, deemed universities and applicable NRI/self-financed seats.
Admission Route: NEET UG score/All India Rank – MCC or state counselling – choice filling – seat allotment – reporting.
2026 Status: Re-examination conducted on June 21, 2026. Result/scorecard declared on July 16, 2026. As of August 17, 2026, MCC Round 1 counselling is active; Round 1 choice filling has been extended to August 18, 2026, 11:59 PM, with choice locking beginning on August 17 at 5:30 PM.
Note: NEET UG is the only entrance examination applicable for MBBS admission nationwide; therefore, additional entrance exams are not listed.
Three Myths Busted
- Myth: AIIMS and JIPMER conduct separate MBBS entrance exams.
- Fact: MBBS admission at both is through NEET UG.
- Myth: Every 2026 MBBS applicant must have 50% PCB in Class 12.
- Fact: Current eligibility requires passing the qualifying examination with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology and English; the applicable NEET qualifying percentile is separately prescribed.
- Myth: Qualifying NEET guarantees an MBBS seat.
- Fact: Admission also depends on the All India Rank, category/quota, college choices and seat availability through counselling.
Ques. How much does MBBS cost in government and private colleges?
Ans. Fees vary sharply. Among major listed colleges, government examples are a roughly INR 5.3K–INR 2.65 lakh total course fee, while selected private examples range from around INR 3 lakh to INR 72.34 lakh. Some institutions can fall outside these ranges.
Ques. What is the difference between MBBS and BDS?
Ans. MBBS trains students in modern medicine, diagnosis and medical/surgical patient care. BDS focuses on dentistry, oral health and dental procedures. Both use NEET UG for admission in India.
Ques. What is the difference between MBBS and BAMS?
Ans. MBBS follows the modern medicine curriculum, while BAMS – Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery – focuses on Ayurveda along with prescribed medical sciences. Both use NEET UG for undergraduate admission, but their curricula and professional pathways differ.
Ques. Is postgraduate study compulsory after MBBS, and what are the main options?
Ans. Postgraduate study is not compulsory for general medical practice after completing recognised MBBS, CRMI and applicable registration requirements. Common higher-study routes include MD, MS, DNB, MPH, MHA and healthcare management programmes; MD/MS/DNB are common routes for specialist training.
Ques. What is the average starting salary after MBBS?
Ans. A broad early-career benchmark is around INR 3 LPA–INR 6 LPA, with a current average starting doctor's estimate of approximately INR 5.04 LPA. Junior residency and government medical officer roles can pay more depending on the institution, state and allowances.
Types of Admission Routes in India
1. National-Level Entrance Examination
- Exam: NEET UG.
- NEET UG is mandatory for MBBS admission across government, private, deemed, AIIMS and JIPMER institutions.
2. Counselling-Based Admission
- MCC Counselling: Covers 15% All India Quota seats and specified central institutions, central universities, AIIMS, JIPMER, deemed universities and other notified seats.
- State Counselling: Covers state-controlled MBBS seats and applicable private/state-quota seats according to respective state rules.
3. Institute-Specific Post-NEET Screening
- AFMC: Candidates qualify through NEET UG and register through MCC, followed by the additional AFMC screening/selection procedure before final admission.
MBBS Admission Process
1. Qualifying Examination: 10+2/equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology and English.
2. Age Requirement: The candidate must be 17 years on or before December 31, 2026.
3. Academic & NEET Eligibility: Current rules do not prescribe a separate Class 12 PCB aggregate percentage. NEET qualifying percentile: 50th percentile for General/General-EWS and 40th percentile for SC/ST/OBC-NCL; applicable PwBD thresholds are the 45th or 40th percentile depending on category.
4. Entrance Examination: Appear for NEET UG. No separate AIIMS, JIPMER or university-level MBBS entrance examination applies.
5. Result & Rank: NTA issues the NEET score and All India Rank used for MBBS admission.
6. Counselling Registration: Register with MCC for applicable AIQ/central/deemed seats or the relevant state counselling authority for state-controlled seats.
7. Choice Filling: Select and lock preferred colleges/courses during the notified counselling round.
8. Seat Allotment: Allotment depends on NEET rank, category, quota, submitted choices and seat availability.
9. Document Verification: Submit qualifying-exam documents, NEET documents, identity proof and category/domicile certificates where applicable.
10. Seat Confirmation: Report to the allotted institution and pay the prescribed admission/course fee within the deadline.
11. Direct/Merit Admission Without NEET: Not applicable for MBBS. Private, deemed, management/NRI and other MBBS seats also require NEET qualifications.
Top MBBS Colleges in India
| College Name | Total Course Fee |
|---|---|
| AIIMS New Delhi | INR 5.3 K |
| Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi | INR 12.9 K |
| Vardhman Mahavir Medical College, New Delhi | INR 2.6 lakh |
| JIPMER Puducherry | INR 1.1 lakh |
| Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi | INR 2.33 lakh |
| AIIMS Jodhpur | INR 5.3 K |
| University College of Medical Sciences, New Delhi | INR 2.83 lakh |
| Christian Medical College, Vellore | INR 2.82 lakh |
| AIIMS Bhopal | INR 7.6 K |
| GMCH Chandigarh | INR 1.25 Lakh |
Career Opportunities After MBBS
| Career Option | Average Salary (Approx. Starting Years) |
|---|---|
| Junior Resident / House Officer | INR 7 LPA – INR 12 LPA |
| Medical Officer | INR 7 LPA – INR 10 LPA |
| General Practitioner / Duty Doctor | INR 5 LPA – INR 8 LPA |
| General Duty Medical Officer | INR 5 LPA – INR 7 LPA |
| Assistant Divisional Medical Officer – Railways | INR 6 LPA – INR 8 LPA |
| Clinical Research / Medical Affairs Entry Role | INR 4 LPA – INR 8 LPA |
| Medical Writer / Scientific Content Specialist | INR 4 LPA – INR 6 LPA |
| Public Health / Epidemiology Entry Role | INR 5 LPA – INR 8 LPA |
Ques. Can a PCM student apply for MBBS by taking Biology later?
Ans. A candidate must have Biology/Biotechnology along with the other prescribed subjects. Current rules permit required subjects to be studied as additional subjects after Class 12 through a recognised board, including the required practical component.
Ques. Is NEET compulsory for every MBBS college in India?
Ans. Yes. NEET UG is the common entrance examination for MBBS admission across recognised medical institutions, including government, private, deemed, AIIMS and JIPMER institutions.
Ques. Do AIIMS and JIPMER conduct separate MBBS entrance exams?
Ans. No. Their MBBS seats are filled using NEET UG scores/ranks. Separate AIIMS and JIPMER MBBS entrance examinations are no longer applicable.
Ques. What is the NEET qualifying percentile for MBBS?
Ans. The qualifying level is 50th percentile for General/General-EWS and 40th percentile for SC/ST/OBC-NCL. For PwBD candidates, the applicable threshold is the 45th percentile for general/general-EWS PwBD and the 40th percentile for specified reserved-category PwBD candidates.
Ques. What NEET 2026 score is required for a government MBBS college?
Ans. There is no single fixed score applicable to every government medical college. Admission cutoffs vary by All India Rank, category, state, quota, college and counselling round. The NEET qualifying cutoff should not be confused with a government-college admission cutoff.
Top College Placements
| Tier Band | College | Average Salary (Approx. Starting Years) |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 – NIRF 1–10 | JIPMER Puducherry | INR 12 LPA – recent UG median |
| Tier 2 – NIRF 11–25 | IPGMER Kolkata | INR 5.41 LPA – recent UG median |
| Tier 3 – NIRF 26–50 | Sawai Man Singh Medical College, Jaipur | INR 8.52 LPA – recent UG median |
Note: Tier bands are an editorial grouping based on NIRF 2025 medical ranks. The published UG median salary is used because MBBS outcomes are commonly through internship, residency and hospital recruitment rather than conventional campus placement.
Popular Specialisation
MBBS does not have a separate undergraduate specialisation. These are common post-MBBS speciality choices.
| General Medicine | General Surgery | Paediatrics |
|---|---|---|
| Obstetrics & Gynaecology | Orthopaedics | Radiodiagnosis |
| Dermatology | Psychiatry | Anaesthesiology |
Top Recruiters
| Sector | Major Recruiters |
|---|---|
| Government & Teaching Hospitals | AIIMS institutions, JIPMER, ESIC Hospitals, state government medical colleges/hospitals |
| Private Hospital Chains | Apollo Hospitals, Fortis Healthcare, Max Healthcare, Manipal Hospitals, Medanta |
| Specialty Hospitals | Sankara Nethralaya, other tertiary and speciality hospitals |
| Public Health | National Health Mission, state health departments, municipal health services |
| Armed Forces Healthcare | Armed Forces Medical Services, military and command hospitals |
| Clinical Research & Healthcare | Hospital research units, clinical research organisations, healthcare companies |
Higher Education Options
| Course | Duration |
|---|---|
| MD – Doctor of Medicine | 3 Years |
| MS – Master of Surgery | 3 Years |
| DNB Broad Speciality – Post-MBBS | 3 Years |
| Master of Public Health (MPH) | Approximately 1–2 Years |
| Master of Hospital Administration (MHA) | Approximately 2 Years |
| MBA in Healthcare/Hospital Management | Approximately 2 Years |
Scholarships
- Central/State Merit-cum-Means Scholarships: Tuition or maintenance support; amount/coverage varies by scheme.
- Post-Matric Category Scholarships: SC/ST/OBC/EWS/minority support where eligible; percentage or amount varies by scheme and state.
- Institution-Specific Need-Based Aid/Freeships: Partial or full fee assistance only where officially offered by the institution.
- CSR/Private Foundation Scholarships: Merit- and income-based grants; amount and eligibility vary annually.
- Domicile/Defence/Special-Category Scholarships: Available to eligible candidates under specific government or institutional schemes.
FAQ’s
Ques. What is the total duration of MBBS in India?
Ans. MBBS takes 5.5 years, consisting of approximately 4.5 academic years plus a 1-year Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI).
Ques. What is the eligibility for MBBS admission in 2026?
Ans. Candidates must pass 10+2/equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology and English and must meet NEET UG eligibility requirements. They must also complete 17 years by December 31, 2026.
Ques. Is 50% in PCB compulsory for MBBS in 2026?
Ans. The current GMER/NTA eligibility framework does not state a separate Class 12 PCB aggregate percentage. Candidates must pass the required subjects and satisfy the applicable NEET qualifying percentile.
Ques. Does qualifying NEET guarantee an MBBS seat?
Ans. No. A seat depends on NEET rank, category, quota, college preferences and seat availability during counselling.
Ques. Can I get direct MBBS admission without NEET?
Ans. No. NEET is required even for private, deemed, management/NRI and other recognised MBBS admission categories.
Ques. What is the difference between the All India Quota and state counselling?
Ans. MCC handles the 15% All India Quota and specified central/deemed/AIIMS/JIPMER seats. State counselling authorities handle seats under the control of their respective states/UTs, including applicable state and private-college quotas.
Ques. What salary can an Indian MBBS graduate earn abroad?
Ans. There is no reliable single “foreign package". Earnings depend on the destination country, licensing examination/registration, speciality, training level, visa status, city and employer. An Indian MBBS degree by itself does not automatically permit independent medical practice abroad.
Ques. Is the MBBS internship paid?
Ans. CRMI interns are eligible for a stipend fixed by the appropriate authority applicable to the institution, university or state. The amount is not uniform across India and can vary considerably.







Comments
Found 16 Comments
According to the All India Quota MBBS Seat Matrix for 2023, the total intake of MBBS seats in Andaman & Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences, Port Blair, is 114. There is only 1 medical college in Andaman, Andaman & Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences, Port Blair, that offers MBBS Admission.
The NEET cutoff scores for Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences (SMIMS) for the year 2023 were released by the authorities on its official website. For the general category, the cutoff scores were 720 marks (opening) and 137 marks (closing). In comparison, for the OBC category, the cutoff scores were 136 marks (opening) and 107 marks (closing). These cutoff scores provide insight into the competitiveness of admissions to SMIMS for MBBS programs and indicate the minimum NEET scores required for candidates to secure admission.
As per the NEET cutoff scores declared for MBBS admission in Puducherry in 2023, the minimum marks needed for different categories are mentioned below. For the General Category students, the cutoff score was 515. For the Backward Class Muslim (BCM) group it was 505. OBC candidates had to score 507 and SC candidates had to score 319 for MBBS admissions in Puducherry.
Dadra and Nagar Haveli has only one government medical college "Shri Vinoba Bhave Institute of Medical Sciences" in Silvassa. There are a total of 177 seats for MBBS. The NEET cutoff scores for Shri Vinoba Bhave Institute of Medical Sciences MBBS Admission were: 720 – 137 for unreserved category students, 136 – 107 for the OBC, ST, and SC category students. The reserved group without physical disability had to score between 136 and 121 whereas, for the OBC with a physical disability it was set at 120 – 107.
What are the top 7 private colleges for MBBS in Puducherry?
Several private institutions offer an MBBS course in Puducherry. Mahatma Gandhi Medical College & Research Institute (MGMCRI), Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Sri Venkateswara Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, VMMC, AVMCH, and PIPMER are some of the top medical colleges that offer an MBBS Course in Pondicherry. You must have a valid NEET score and appear for the CENTAC counselling to seek Pondicherry MBBS Admission 2024.
MBBS is the best career option in India due to its exceptional job security and high pay, with a starting salary ranging from INR 6-8 LPA, candidates have the potential to earn up to INR 20-30 LPA with experience. Moreover, it offers the opportunity for meaningful service to society, personal growth through continuous learning, global opportunities, diverse career options, intellectual stimulation, and high social recognition and is apt for students who wish to become doctors.
Yes, scoring around 500 marks in NEET is an achievement. With such a score, your subsequent percentile and rank typically fall in the range of 7,500 to 50,000, depending on the exact marks obtained and the overall performance of the candidate. This range positions you competitively for admission to various good medical colleges, with opportunities available in both government and private institutions.
Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences , Jalandhar, has a total of 150 seats for the MBBS program. 75 of them are under the Government Quota.
Yes, in India, it is compulsory to qualify the NEET entrance exam to pursue the MBBS degree in both government and private medical colleges. NEET is the centralized entrance examination conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to undergraduate medical courses (MBBS/BDS) in India. After qualifying NEET, candidates must appear for the All-India or State-Level Counselling to seek MBBS Admission in India.
Both MBBS and BDS are popular choices among mental students. Students who complete an MBBS program can choose a specialty from several options such as Cardiology, Gynecology, etc . MBBS graduates may earn more than BDS graduates since BDS focuses solely on dentistry having avenues of being specialized in orthodontics or oral surgery. To choose one out of MBBS or BDS, you must consider parameters like work-life balance, occupation supervision and most importantly your interest of having a medical career or dental career.
The program (tuition) fees at the Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences for MBBS differ based on the quota from which the student is admitted. The MBBS fee under the Government Quota amounts to INR 4,06,000 per year. Those under the Management Quota must pay INR 10,42,000 whereas NRI/OCI Quota students pay USD 1,10,000 annually.
The subjects inlcuded in the final year of MBBS courses are Psychiatry, Dermatology and Venereology, Pediatrics, Anesthesiology, Orthopedics, Obstetrics and Gynecology.
The minimum educational qualification required to pursue MBBS in India is to pass Class XII examination from a recognized board with at least 50% marks taking English and PCB subjects. Admission is based on NEET scores and counseling.
Yes, students seeking admission to MBBS courses in India must be at least 17 years old.
The MBBS course fee for Government medical colleges are very less compared to private colleges. The average course fee for public institutions ranges from INR 1628 to INR 20000, while the course fee for private colleges ranges between INR 3,00,000 to INR 56,00,000.
The total duration for MBBS course is 5 years and 6 months, including the compulsory internship program.