Over 12 Lakh Qualify NEET 2025, But Only 1.18 Lakh MBBS Seats Up for Grabs

New Delhi- In 2025, a total of 12,36,531 candidates have cleared India's prestigious medical entrance exam, National Eligibility and Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET UG).

With intense competition, most of the top-ranking aspirants are now aiming for MBBS seats in government medical colleges across the country.

According to the official data from the National Medical Commission (NMC), India currently offers 1,18,190 MBBS seats across 780 medical colleges, including both government and private institutions. Of these, 428 government medical colleges offer 60,124 MBBS seats, while 352 private or trust-run colleges contribute 58,066 seats.

Government medical colleges remain the preferred choice for top scorers due to their lower tuition fees, better infrastructure, and stronger clinical exposure. However, the limited number of seats in government institutions compared to the number of qualified candidates means that securing admission is highly competitive.

This continued growth in the number of medical colleges and seats reflects the government’s and private sector’s ongoing efforts to strengthen healthcare education infrastructure and meet the rising demand for qualified medical professionals in the country. Yet, with over 12 lakh candidates qualifying NEET UG this year, the need for further expansion and reforms in medical education remains a pressing concern.