Types, Top Institutions, Seats and How to Find the Full List
If you ask any ten NEET aspirants what they desire, nine of them will tell you that their ultimate goal is to get a Government MBBS seat. This is because of the low fees, big hospitals and huge patient load and great reputation. However, one thing that you will rarely ever get a clear answer to is how many Government medical colleges are there in total in India and where they are listed.
This article will provide you with the correct numbers (as per the National Medical Commission’s 2026-27 data), explain the different types of Government medical institutions, mention some of the most famous ones and show you how to find a list of all the official colleges. To be completely honest, there are well over 400 Government medical colleges in India. The number is constantly changing as more and more colleges get approved. If you are to put a list of Government medical colleges into an article, then the information will quickly become outdated. We have therefore created this guide to help you find verified information and how to find the remaining information.
Government Medical Colleges in India at a Glance
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulator | National Medical Commission (NMC) |
| Medical colleges for 2026-27 | 823 (441 government, 382 private), excluding Institutes of National Importance |
| MBBS seats for 2026-27 | 1,36,939, excluding Institutes of National Importance |
| Government seats | About 63,296 across 441 colleges, per one report of the NMC matrix |
| New colleges approved for 2026-27 | 25 (7 government, 18 private) |
| Matrix date | MARB public notice dated 14 July 2026 |
| Admission route | NEET UG, followed by MCC or state course |
The figure given here are taken from the NMC seat matrix. This is the current working list as declared by the Medical Assessment and Rating Board on 14 July 2026. There may be discrepancies.
Why there are Different Figures Online
You may find different numbers online for the number of medical colleges. Some websites may give you 780, 819, 823 and 824. The government has given 417, 427, 441 and so on. However, these are not all incorrect. There are three reasons why they may differ.
- They are from different dates. Every year new medical colleges are approved so numbers increase. It was announced to the Lok Sabha that the number of medical colleges increased from 387 colleges prior to 2014 to 780 as of the 2025 response. The 2026-27 matrix will have even higher figures.
- Some include AIIMS, JIPMER and other Institutes of National Importance while others do not.
- Some pages include details about the total number of MBBS seats.
If you’re publishing a page, you should reference the NMC figure with the date. Provide a link to the official list.
Government Medical Colleges
Central Government: The AIIMS campuses and JIPMER (Puducherry and Karaikal) are Institutes of National Importance. Students are admitted based on their NEET UG score. Seats are managed during counselling at MCC.
State Government: This is the main part of the list. These are run by the state government. Usually they have 85 per cent of their seats filled by students from the state quota while the rest of the seats are filled from the all India quota.
Other Government Run: There are medical colleges run by various groups such as the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation, Municipal Corporations and the Armed Forces. The rules, number of seats and eligibility may change so refer to the specific counselling notice.
Popular Government Medical Institutions
The table below is an example. It does not rank them and is not a complete list from the NMC.
| Institution | City | Type |
|---|---|---|
| All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) | New Delhi | Central |
| JIPMER | Puducherry | Central |
| Maulana Azad Medical College | New Delhi | Government (Delhi) |
| Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital | New Delhi | Central government |
| King George’s Medical University | Lucknow | State |
| Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University | Varanasi | Central university |
| Armed Forces Medical College | Pune | Armed forces |
| Madras Medical College | Chennai | State |
| Grant Medical College | Mumbai | State |
| Seth G.S. Medical College | Mumbai | Municipal |
| Government Medical College | Nagpur | State |
| Government Medical College | Thiruvananthapuram | State |
It is important to ensure that the institution(s) you list offer MBBS to undergraduates through the NEET UG exam. Lots of top medical institutions will be postgraduate focussed.
AIIMS Network
The initial AIIMS campuses offering MBBS courses were the New Delhi, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Jodhpur, Patna, Raipur and Rishikesh campuses. Since then there have been new campuses added such as Mangalagiri, Nagpur, Kalyani, Gorakhpur, Bathinda, Bibinagar, Guwahati, Bilaspur, Deoghar, Rae Bareli and Vijaypur. As the number of campuses increases and new ones are added, you will want to ensure that you check the current list on the Ministry of Health’s website and within the MCC counselling notice.
Which Government Colleges Rank Highest? or Top Government Colleges?
The most commonly referenced public ranking is the NIRF medical rankings. For 2025 the top three are: AIIMS New Delhi, PGIMER Chandigarh and CMC Vellore. This last one is a private college so it is good to remember that rankings include both government and private colleges. Some sources will tell you about the NIRF 2026 results but others will say that they are not published yet. Check their website to see what the latest year is.
These are only guidelines. A well-run state college with a busy hospital can provide excellent training. You may also find that the seats are more realistic within your state quota.
State by State
The following states have the highest total MBBS seats (both government and private) according to the NMC matrix 2026-27:
| State | Total MBBS seats |
|---|---|
| Karnataka | 15,395 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 14,000 |
| Tamil Nadu | 13,999 |
| Maharashtra | 13,099 |
| Telangana | 10,250 |
Just because there are more seats does not necessarily mean there will be more government seats. For instance, Karnataka has a large private sector. You can check the list of government colleges and seats in a specific state via the NMC State-wise list, MCC seat matrix or state counselling portal.
Newly Added Government Colleges
33 new government colleges have been approved by the NMC in 2025. 18 of these are government. These include the Pt. Neki Ram Sharma Government Medical College, Bhiwani, Kasaragod Government Medical College, Wayanad Government Medical College, Singrauli Government Medical College, Sheopur Government Medical College, Phulbani Government Medical College, Jaisalmer Government Medical College, Tonk Government Medical College and Kodangal Government Medical College. For 2026-27, 7 new government colleges have been approved and 2,111 new seats have been added to existing government colleges. You should copy the names from the NMC list.
How to Get the Complete, Official List
- NMC Website (nmc.org.in). The commission provides a State-wise list of MBBS colleges including AIIMS and JIPMER. The NMC also provide seat matrices.
- MCC Website (mcc.nic.in). The MCC provide a seat matrix for all India counselling.
- State Counselling Portals. The state medical education department will provide a list of colleges, seats and fees.
These documents will be updated every session so should be considered the source of information. Any 3rd party lists should be used as a reference.
How to Get Into A Government Medical College
Everything begins with passing the NEET UG exam. Once you have received your results you will go onto counselling.
All India Quota. 15% of seats in State Government colleges are provided by the MCC. This includes central institutions such as AIIMS and JIPMER.
State Quota. The remaining seats in state government colleges will be filled by state counselling. This will usually have a domicile requirement and other state specific requirements.
Just because you have passed the NEET doesn’t mean you’ll get a seat. It depends on your rank, category, domicile and choices. Check the official notices from the MCC and state authority to see how far counselling has gone for this year.
How to Decide Which Government Medical College To Choose
While rank is important, there are other factors to consider:
Whether the college is recognised and approved by the NMC for the specific batch you will attend.
Hospital attachment and patient numbers. This will determine how much clinical exposure you will get.
Quality of faculty and facilities. This can be seen by looking at the NMC and college disclosures.
Costs and requirements. Government medical colleges will generally be much cheaper than private colleges. However, this can vary between states. Some states will require you to sign a bond or service agreement. Check the prospectus.
Location and domicile advantage. State quotas can greatly affect your chances.
Common Mistakes
- Using an out of date or copied list of colleges.
- Assuming all government colleges have the same cost and requirements.
- Choosing based on the name of the college and not considering state quotas.
- Not checking the bond and eligibility requirements in the counselling notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: How many government medical colleges are there in India?
Answer: There are 441 government medical colleges listed in the NMC matrix for 2026-27. This does not include Institutes of National Importance. This number will change as new colleges are approved.
Question: How many MBBS seats are there in government colleges?
Answer: There are approximately 63,296 government seats in the NMC matrix. In total there are 1,36,939 MBBS seats in government and private colleges.
Question: Where can I find an official list of government medical colleges?
Answer: The NMC website provides a state-wise list. The MCC and state counselling provide seat matrices.
Question: Is AIIMS a government medical college?
Answer: Yes, the campuses are central government institutions. Some figures will not include Institutes of National Importance.
Question: What is the best government medical college in India?
Answer: AIIMS New Delhi came first in the NIRF 2025 medical ranking. Rankings can be used as a guide. The best choice will depend on your rank, state quotas and preferences.
Question: How can I get into a government medical college?
Answer: Pass the NEET UG and attend counselling. This will be done via the MCC for all India quota and central institutions. Or via the state authority for state quota seats.
Question: What percentage of seats does the MCC cover?
Answer: 15% of seats in state government colleges and central institutions. The rest will be filled by states.
Question: Are government medical colleges cheap?
Answer: Generally they will be much cheaper than private colleges. However this can vary between states and colleges. Check the prospectus of each college.
Question: Which state has the most MBBS seats?
Answer: Karnataka has the most MBBS seats with 15,395 in the NMC matrix for 2026-27. This is followed by Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. This includes private seats.
Question: Have any new government medical colleges been added for 2026-27?
Answer: Yes, 25 new colleges have been approved. 7 of these are government.
Question: If I pass the NEET will I get a government seat?
Answer: No. It depends on your rank, category, domicile, availability of seats and your choices in counselling.
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