Hi everyone, students and parents, welcome to Career 360. While the nation is fired up over the NEET scam and the paper leaks, let’s confront why MBBS admissions in India are so cutthroat, so corrupt, and out of reach for so many of us. Why do we force students and families into endless agony, anxiety, and pressure? Do we deserve this from our government and our society? The data we are about to reveal will shock you, depress you, outrage you, infuriate you. I dare say this is a white paper on the black deeds of policymakers. By the end of it all, I’m hoping that I’ll be able to spur some of you into action, and hopefully, we’ll all be speaking in one single voice. Listen in on the data that we’re about to present, grasp and understand what the data reveals. Let’s start with the total test takers in the country.
Total test takers segregation of NEET and JEE main in India
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main are the two major entrance examinations for medical and engineering courses in India, respectively. The number of test takers in these examinations reveals interesting trends:
This data highlights a significant gender disparity in the choice of career paths. While a larger percentage of boys opt for engineering, a higher proportion of girls choose to pursue medical careers. This trend is crucial to understand as it influences the overall demand for medical seats and the subsequent challenges faced by aspiring doctors.
Total medical colleges in the country and seats
India boasts a total of 744 medical colleges, offering approximately 1,09,170 MBBS seats. However, the distribution of these seats and the associated fees paint a stark picture of inequality.
This table reveals that government colleges, despite being significantly more numerous, offer a smaller proportion of seats compared to private medical colleges and deemed universities. This disparity in seat availability directly impacts the affordability and accessibility of medical education for students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.
Fees in medical colleges
Government medical colleges, such as AIIMS Raipur and AIIMS Jodhpur, charge significantly lower fees compared to private institutions, making them more accessible. Central universities also offer affordable education with a relatively low total cost over five years. Public medical colleges, while slightly more expensive, still provide a subsidized option for students. In contrast, private and deemed universities charge exorbitant fees, making them less accessible to underprivileged students.
Fees in Government colleges (AIIMS Raipur, AIIMS Jodhpur)
The fees charged by government-run medical colleges are significantly lower than those charged by private institutions.
- AIIMS Raipur: An Indian student pays a mere ₹5,856 per annum.
- AIIMS Jodhpur: An Indian student pays ₹5,356 per annum, with an additional ₹36,225 for mess charges.
Central universities colleges and seats and total cost of education
Central universities, like AIIMS, offer a relatively affordable option for MBBS aspirants.
- Total Seats: 1,180 across all seven central universities.
- Average Fee per Annum: ₹22,979.
- Total Cost (5 years): Approximately ₹3.64 lakhs, including hostel and mess charges.
The total cost of education in central universities, including hostel and mess expenses, is estimated to be around 3.65 lakhs. This makes them a more accessible option compared to private medical colleges and deemed universities.
Public/Government medical colleges in India
Now let us move to the public medical colleges in the country. These are actually owned by the government, different state governments, or the medical college that has been built with public investment. In which case, the government regulates the fee, and it works out well for us.
Public or government medical colleges are funded by the state government and offer subsidized fees. These colleges play a crucial role in providing affordable medical education to students from diverse backgrounds.
| Public Medical College | Annual Tuition/Term Fee (INR)(Approximately) | Total Cost (5 years) (INR)(Approximately) |
| Pandit BD Sharma Medical College, Rohtak | 30,000 | 3 Lakhs |
| Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College, Mumbai | 1.14 Lakhs | 5.5 Lakhs |
The annual fees in public medical colleges vary depending on the state and the specific institution. However, the total cost of education, including hostel and mess expenses, is generally estimated to be around 6.2 lakhs. This makes them a more affordable option compared to private medical colleges and deemed universities.
Private medical colleges in India
What is the cost of medical education in the private space? Let’s understand that.
Private medical colleges are privately owned and operated, and they charge significantly higher fees compared to government institutions. The high fees in these colleges often make them inaccessible to students from underprivileged backgrounds.
| Private Medical College | Annual Tuition Fee (INR) (Approximately) | Total Cost (5 years) (INR) (Approximately) |
| American Institute of Medical Sciences, Udumalpet | 18.9 Lakhs (State Quota) | 1.2 Crores |
| American Institute of Medical Sciences, Udumalpet | 25 Lakhs (All India Quota) | 1.25 Crores |
The annual fees in private medical colleges can range from 18.9 lakhs to 25 lakhs, depending on the quota and the specific institution. The total cost of education, including hostel and mess expenses, can easily exceed 1 crore rupees. This exorbitant cost makes private medical colleges a privilege reserved for the wealthy.
Deemed medical universities
Let’s look at the next data set. I’m now showing you Deemed, which is another, the fourth category of medical colleges that we have in the country.
Deemed universities are private institutions that have been granted deemed university status by the government. They enjoy autonomy in setting their curriculum and fees. Deemed universities are known for their high fees and often attract students from affluent backgrounds.
| Deemed University | Annual Tuition Fee (INR)(Approximately) | Total Cost (5 years) (INR)(Approximately) |
| D.Y. Patil Medical College | 26.5 Lakhs | 1.5 Crores |
The annual fees in deemed universities can range from 26.5 lakhs to 30 lakhs, depending on the specific institution. The total cost of education, including hostel and mess expenses, can easily exceed 1.5 crores. This makes deemed universities a highly expensive option, further exacerbating the existing inequalities in access to medical education.
Does NEET drive meritocracy?
In 2024, you had 1,09,000 seats, but the total number of students who qualified for the examination is 1,36,000 out of a total of 24 lakh students who took the test. A typical pass percentage is 35% or 40%, depending on which state you study in. It ranges at least 30%, but typically most of the states say you need to get at least 35% marks to pass an examination. But in the case of NEET, that standard has been lowered dramatically. In 2022, the pass percentage is 16.36%. A student who got 117 marks out of a possible 720 was deemed to have been qualified. In 2023, the qualification marks were 137 out of a possible 720. Remember this year, 67 students got 720 on 720. But in this particular case, in 2023, 137 is the pass qualification mark in NEET, which is 19% marks of a possible 720. And over the last six years, when you look at the data, the past person, the qualification percentage, is hanging around 20%. So for NEET or for the National Medical Commission, which you know conducts these examinations through NTA, the pass qualification percentage is not 35% that you and I are used to, but 20%. But why do they do that? They only have 1 lakh seats. Why do they need 13 lakh students to qualify? Why can’t they limit themselves to 5 lakh students being qualified because of the 5 lakh for sure, 1 lakh will claim their seat, right? They don’t because when the fee ranges between ₹1 crore to ₹1.5 crores, many of the students fall apart. The seats that you have in private universities and Deemed universities are typically what I call a reservation for the rich.
Let’s talk of meritocracy and these 55,000 seats that are there for in private medical colleges and Deemed universities because the fee is ₹80 lakhs and above. Not more than 2% of India can actually afford that. The other 98%, even if they get a good score and can get into it, someone will get 500 marks but will still not prefer a private medical college, which goes to a student who got around 110 marks to 120 marks because they can, those guys can afford it, and this student who got 500 out of 720 cannot afford it.
Reservation for rich
The high fees in private medical colleges and deemed universities effectively create a reservation for the rich. Students from underprivileged backgrounds, even if they score high in NEET, are often unable to afford the exorbitant fees. This creates a system where wealth, rather than merit, becomes the primary determinant of admission.
Cut-offs of Deemed/private universities
The cut-offs for deemed universities and private medical colleges often reflect the financial capacity of the students rather than their academic merit. This is evident in the data:
| College | NEET Score | Rank |
| ACS Medical College and Hospital, Chennai | 137 | 1012392 |
| Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Chennai | 137 | 1009266 |
| Aarupadai Veedu Medical College and Hospt., Puducherry | 138 | 1005874 |
| Sree Lakshmi Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences, Puducherry | 110 | 1191412 |
This data shows that students with relatively low NEET scores and high ranks have secured seats in deemed universities and private medical colleges. This suggests that financial capacity plays a significant role in determining admission, overshadowing academic merit.
Merit falls due to private/deemed universities
The high fees in private medical colleges and deemed universities have a direct impact on the merit of students admitted to these institutions. The data reveals a concerning trend:
Allotted College | Non-Resident Indian(Closing Rank) | NEET Score | NRI Fee (INR) |
| Bharati Vidyapeeth DU Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra | 996865 | 140 | 39,909,100 |
| BV Deemed University Medical College and Hospital., Sangli, Maharashtra | 1110592 | 121 | 39,909,100 |
| Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital, Bhubaneswar, Odisha | 1215544 | 107 | 23,100,000 |
This data shows that students with significantly lower NEET scores and higher ranks have secured seats in private medical colleges and deemed universities. This trend highlights the influence of financial capacity on admission, leading to a decline in the overall merit of students admitted to these institutions.
EWS students in deemed/private universities
The Economically Weaker Section (EWS) reservation is intended to provide opportunities for students from underprivileged backgrounds. However, the data reveals a concerning trend of EWS students enrolling in deemed universities and private medical colleges, despite the exorbitant fees.
| College | Tuition Fee (INR) (Approximately) |
| Bhaarath Medical College And Hospital, Chennai | 1.32 Crores |
| Vinayaka Missions Medical College and Hospital, Karaikal | 1.01 Crores |
| Santosh Medical College and Hospital, Ghaziabad | 1.32 Crores |
| Sri Lakshmi Narayana Inst. of Med. Scien, Puducherry | 1.26 Crores |
This data raises serious questions about the validity of the EWS category and the effectiveness of the reservation system in providing genuine opportunities for underprivileged students. The ability of EWS students to afford fees exceeding 1 crore rupees raises concerns about the integrity of the system and the potential for misuse.
Doctor-population ratio issue
The doctor-population ratio in India is a critical indicator of healthcare accessibility. The government has claimed a ratio of 1 doctor for 834 people, but this figure is misleading. The inclusion of AYUSH doctors in this calculation distorts the true picture.
| Source | Doctor-Population Ratio |
| Government Claim | 1:834 |
| As per the Former Vice President of India | 1:1,511 |
Based on data from the 15th Finance Commission, the doctor-population ratio is closer to 1:1,511. This indicates a significant shortage of doctors in India, particularly in rural areas. The skewed doctor-population ratio highlights the need for increased investment in medical education and infrastructure to address the healthcare needs of the population.
Study abroad for MBBS
The data reveals a concerning trend: the number of Indian students pursuing MBBS abroad is almost equal to the number of students studying in India. This is a significant issue for several reasons:
- Loss of Students: India is losing a large pool of talented students who are forced to seek medical education abroad due to the exorbitant fees and limited seats in India.
- Risk to Students: Studying abroad exposes students to various risks, including financial burdens, cultural adjustments, and potential exploitation by unscrupulous institutions.
- Loss of Foreign Exchange: The outflow of money spent by students studying abroad represents a significant loss of foreign exchange for India.
- Suboptimal Skill Development: Many medical colleges abroad lack proper infrastructure, hospital affiliations, and practical training, leading to suboptimal skill development among students.
FMGE pass percentage
The FMGE pass percentage is a crucial indicator of the quality of medical education received by students who pursue MBBS abroad. The data reveals a concerning trend:
- 2023: Only 10,255 out of 62,077 students passed the FMGE, resulting in an 84% failure rate(Approximately).
- 2022: The pass rate was around 23%.
- 2021: The pass rate was around 24%.
Where we are going as a country
The current state of MBBS admissions in India is a stark reflection of a system that prioritizes profit over merit and accessibility. The exorbitant fees charged by private and Deemed universities create a barrier for most students, forcing them to either compromise their dreams or seek education abroad. This not only undermines the quality of medical education but also creates a shortage of doctors in India, particularly in rural areas.
Conclusion
The data presented in this article paints a grim picture of the state of MBBS admissions in India. The system is riddled with corruption, favouritism, and a blatant disregard for meritocracy. The high fees charged by private and Deemed universities create a system where wealth, not talent, determines access to medical education. This not only undermines the quality of healthcare in India but also perpetuates a cycle of inequality. It is imperative that the government takes immediate action to address these issues and ensure that MBBS education is accessible and affordable for all deserving students. This includes:
- Increasing the number of affordable public medical colleges: This will increase the supply of medical seats and make MBBS education accessible to a wider range of students.
- Regulating fees in private and Deemed universities: This will prevent exorbitant fees from becoming a barrier to entry for students from underprivileged backgrounds.
- Strengthening the NEET examination: This will ensure that the examination is fair and transparent and that it truly reflects the merit of the students.
- Improving the quality of medical education abroad: This will ensure that students who pursue MBBS abroad receive a quality education and are adequately prepared to practice in India.
- Addressing the issue of EWS students in private and Deemed universities: This will ensure that the EWS reservation system is not exploited by wealthy individuals.
The future of healthcare in India depends on a robust and equitable medical education system. It is time for the government and policymakers to take responsibility and ensure that every deserving student has the opportunity to pursue their dream of becoming a doctor.
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