MBBS is inarguably the toughest yet quintessential exam for Med-Aspirants in India. Being the sole gateway to almost every medical degree college in India, NEET receives very high applications each year. Well, with increasing popularity, NEET is also facing backlash regarding the application-to-seat ratio in the future, especially in 2025 and 2026. So, Will MBBS Seats Increase in 2025, 2026? Let’s discuss the odds here in this blog. So, stay tuned till the end.
Seat distribution is one of the hectic tasks that the National Medical Council of India takes care of each and every year. Usually, the NMC doesn’t increase the seats regularly. However, students and experts all over the country are expressing their opinions about the seat increment needs in the future, as the NEET’s popularity is now at its peak. So, here we are going to examine when or how will MBBS Seats Increase in 2025 or at least in 2026 by decoding all myths and possibilities in one place. So, let’s get started!
Are MBBS Seats Increased in 2024?
Well, it’s impossible for NMC to increase or decrease the MBBS seats all of a sudden. Since the NEET 2024 is already over and seat allocation will start soon amind the on alleged NTA scam in NEET 2024, the seat increment happening this year is just a myth. So, How Many MBBS Seats Increased in 2024? The answer is “None.” Also, remember that the seat increment is a couple of year-long processes even for NMC. Hence, they usually announce the details before the exam season starts.
As of 2024, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has approved 113 new medical colleges in India (both private and public sector)with 109,095 MBBS seats.
Factors Affecting the MBBS Seat Increment or Decrement
MBBS seat increment or decrement is such a big decision to make for NMC or the Education Ministry, as it’s one of the highest accoladed courses in India. Besides, the NMC has an extra responsibility to safeguard the “hard-to-get” tag for the MBBS seats. Now, let’s take a look at some of the most important factors affecting the MBBS seat increment or decrement in the future:
1. New Government Initiatives
MBBS is one of the most exclusive courses that always depends on government initiatives. So, if the government decides to increase the MBBS seats per college, area, or state, besides, we all know the annual quality inceptions conducted by NMC have the rightful duty to check all the facilities of colleges, which sometimes also affects the MBBS seats. After all, we can see that sometimes NMC even canceled the licenses of some med-schools, which affected the MBBS seat count in the past.
CSS (Centrally Sponsered Scheme), on the other hand, helps the government in establishing new departments and colleges all over the country. For now, the CSS established a total of 157 MBBS colleges in India.
So, future plans of the education ministry and CSS play a key role in managing MBBS seats in India.
2. More Private Colleges
Compared to most of the countries, India has very few private medical institutions. Besides, establishing a new private institute in India also requires authorities permission. Even though allowing more private MBBS colleges in India might damage the “toughest” reputation and even raise the fees, the seat count will definitely increase. This is where the free seats or low fees for economically weaker sections in private colleges will help NMC provide all deserving candidates with a medical seat. After all, proper management with private colleges will aid NMC in increasing seats in the future.
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3. Prioritizing All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)
All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) are one of the best yet rarest medical colleges in India. We can see that the government is running only 21 AIIMS colleges all over the country. Currently, a total of 2,196 AIIMS seats are available. Even though AIIMS stands as one of the best med schools in India, the government doesn’t seem to introduce new colleges. So, if they decide to introduce new AIIMS soon, we can expect a couple thousand seat-increment in India.
4. State-Wise Seat Distribution
Did you know that the MBBS seats are very poorly distributed all across the country? Well, the authorities gave permission to colleges based on multiple reasons like facilities, academic support, and others. However, some states still have fewer MBBS colleges compared to a few that consist of a large group of medical colleges. States like Karnataka, Tamilnadu, and Maharashtra top the MBBS seats. Meanwhile, states including, Manipur, Chandigarh, Goa, Sikkim, and Tripura come at the bottom of the MBBS seats list. A survey stated that if the authorities establish newer colleges to evenly spread Medical seats in each and every state, the MBBS seat count may increase up to 40,000.
Will MBBS Seats Increase in 2025?
One thing that going to happen in 2025 is an increase in application count. Since the zeal for medical degrees is growing all over the country, NEET receives a high number of applications each year. However, it’s all NMC and other authorities’ decision to increase or decrease the MBBS seats W.R.T the growing competition these days. However, according to many NEET experts, we can expect a slight increment in MBBS seats, which is not even confirmed by NMC. So, till then, we cannot conclude that the MBBS seats will increase in 2025.
Will MBBS Seats Increase in 2026?
Annual increment in MBBS is not a common tradition with NMC. Besides, the seat matrix of MBBS courses is such an unexpected thing to think about, as the NMC adjusts its W.R.T to the government initiatives. After all, we still even don’t know the the seat count of 2025 will be, so we can surely not predict the next coming year. So, we have to wait until the NMC updates any plans about expanding MBBS seats in India.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Doctors and Healthcare professionals are much needed in the current society, and NMC knows how to serve the country with only deserving candidates. Hence, NMC crosschecks every possibility before announcing any changes in the MBBS seat count. After all, expanding MBBS colleges and incorporating new courses nationally or even internationally are the major implementations that NMC must do, and that’s how will MBBS Seats Increase in 2025, or 2026.