10 things you must know to pursue MBBS in India

Pursuing an MBBS degree in India is a dream for many students. The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Undergraduate (NEET UG) examination is the only gateway to get started with the MBBS course in the country. The process of becoming a doctor is cumbersome and being aware of key details can help you to achieve your goal easily.

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This Story also Contains

1. MBBS in India: Things you must know
2. Exam to be qualified
3. Consider MBBS fees

There are numerous medical colleges in India offering an MBBS course however, the journey to becoming a doctor is challenging and competitive. It requires dedication, proper planning and an understanding of various factors that shape the MBBS journey. Clearing the NEET UG examination is the first step in this journey. There are many other factors such as admission process, reservations, eligibility for state counselling, bonds, fees and what not that students are not aware of. In this guide from Careers360 we will explore the 10 essential things that you must know before pursuing an MBBS degree in India.

MBBS in India: Things you must know

MBBS in India is a 5.5 years course. To start on with the journey candidates need a few important details which are often ignored. Below mentioned are 10 things that medical aspirants need to know to pursue MBBS in India.

Check your eligibility

The very first thing that all the candidates must understand is they should meet the basic NEET 2025 eligibility criteria which has been mentioned below.

• To be eligible for MBBS in India, candidates must have studied Physics, Chemistry and Biology (PCB) in their class 12 or equivalent. Biology is a compulsory subject for medical aspirants.

• Candidates must have secured at least 50% marks in their class 12 or equivalent examination.

• Additionally, candidates need to be at least 17 years old by December 31 of the year in which they are applying for the entrance exam. While there is a minimum age requirement, there is no upper age limit for applying.

• Candidates need to be an Indian citizen however, OCI/ PIO candidates are also eligible.

Exam to be qualified

NEET UG, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), is the only entrance exam for MBBS admissions across all medical colleges and universities in India. This pen and paper based test covers the Physics, Chemistry and Biology (PCB) subjects. To secure admission in any medical or dental college, candidates must score above the qualifying NEET cutoff. Given the limited number of seats available, achieving a high NEET rank is crucial for gaining admission to a reputable medical college.

Domicile requirements

What many students are unaware of is the MBBS admissions in their respective states that cover 85% of government seats and 100% of private seats. To qualify for this quota, students need to provide a domicile certificate, proving that they have been residents of the respective state for a specified period, completing or have completed their schooling, particularly classes 11 and 12, in the state. A NEET domicile certificate, which proves long-term residency in a state, is important if a candidate is aiming for a government college in their home state.

However, there are exceptions to these rules. For instance, children of central government employees or those whose parents are permanent residents of the state may be considered eligible, even if the student has not completed all schooling there. It’s important to be aware of these regulations early as discovering them in class 12 might be too late to make adjustments.

Checking the Nationality is also important

Indian nationals hold primary eligibility for MBBS seats in India, but private and deemed universities also have a designated quota for NRI candidates. The confusion often arises regarding OCI (Overseas Citizens of India) candidates. Previously, OCI students who had studied in India were treated equal to Indian citizens for admission purposes. However, recent rules have brought changes, largely dependent on the issue date of the OCI certificate.

According to a Supreme Court decision on February 3, 2023, OCI/PIO candidates who obtained their OCI/PIO card before March 4, 2021 will be considered Indian nationals and can apply for seats in the open category. However, if the OCI certificate was issued after March 4, 2021, or the candidate does not meet other criteria, they will be classified under Foreign national candidacy for admissions.

Reservations

Medical aspirants are often confused about the reservations in MBBS seats in India. Reservations such as OBC-NCL, EWS, SC and ST vary across states, as there are both central and state-specific lists for these categories. Sometimes, a category recognized in a particular state may not appear in the central list, or vice versa. In such cases, students need to be cautious during the counselling process.

For All India counselling and seat allocation, the central lists for OBC, SC, and ST are generally used, while individual states follow their own reservation lists. This means that even if a student belongs to a reserved category in their home state, they may be considered under the general category in another state during counselling.

Another important aspect is the Religious/Minority or Linguistic Quota. Some deemed universities and private colleges reserve seats based on religious or linguistic backgrounds. For instance, Yenepoya Medical College, Mangalore, has a quota for Muslim students, while SBKS Medical Institute and Research Centre, Sumandeep Vidyapeeth, has a Jain quota. Similarly, Christian Medical College (CMC) offers a Christian quota, AJ Institute of Medical Sciences, Mangalore, has a Tulu quota, MVJ Medical College in Channasandra, Bangalore, reserves seats for Tamil students, and Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre (VIMSRC), Bangalore, offers a Telugu quota.

There are also other specialized categories, such as Sports and Defence quotas, which depend on the state’s individual policies. Understanding these categories and their application is crucial for students during the admission process.

Non eligibility to apply for Government quota in other states

Another important factor that candidates must know before applying for MBBS in India is that even Indian candidates cannot apply for the state government quota seats unless they meet the residency or domicile requirements of that particular state. As a result, most students are only eligible for government quota seats in their home state and through the All India Quota process. However, they do have the option to apply for management quota seats in private colleges in other states, where residency requirements do not apply. Understanding this distinction is essential when considering where to apply for MBBS admissions.

Conversion to NRI category

Each year, students can convert their application status from Indian to NRI for admission purposes. These are sponsored seats and many candidates take advantage of this opportunity. To qualify for this conversion, applicants must have a direct relative such as a parent, aunt, uncle, grandparent, brother or sister who is an NRI and willing to sponsor their seat. This option is often utilized by students with lower NEET ranks seeking to secure a medical seat. It’s important to note that these seats are quite expensive, with tuition fees typically charged in USD.

While preference is usually given to NRI candidates from the same state, this quota is often accessible to candidates from other states as well. In addition to deemed universities and private colleges, institutions like AIIMS Delhi and certain government colleges in states such as Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh also offer NRI seats. Understanding these opportunities can be crucial for students exploring their options for medical admissions.

Understand the NEET counselling process

Candidates need to understand that there are two types of seat allotment processes for MBBS admissions which are done through NEET counselling.

The first is the All India Counselling, which is not restricted by domicile and allocates 15% of seats in government medical colleges across the country. This process also covers 100% of seats in deemed universities, central universities (such as Delhi University, AMU, and BHU, including institutional or domicile quotas), ESIC, and all seats in AIIMS and JIPMER. Any candidate with a valid NEET rank can participate in this counselling.

The second type is State Counselling which is conducted by the respective state authorities. This process pertains to 85% of the seats in government colleges within the state and 100% of seats in private colleges. Of these, the government seats and 50% of private college seats are reserved under the state quota and are available to students who are residents of that state. The remaining seats in private colleges are typically filled through management quota or NRI categories.

Exceptions: AFMC, Delhi State and IP University Counselling

This is through the All India counselling portal. For AFMC Pune, the registrations are through the All India portal but allotments are by the institute. IP University and Delhi state quota are through All India portal but open only to students who have studied their class 11 and class 12 in Delhi.

Understand bonds and their implications

An important aspect of MBBS seat allocation in India is the requirement for NEET UG bonds related to service or course discontinuation. Most states mandate a rural service bond or a discontinuation bond, with the amounts varying significantly. Private colleges and deemed universities typically require a discontinuation bond, which also has differing amounts.

The discontinuation bond implies that if you decide to leave the course before completion, you will have to pay a specified amount. In contrast, signing a service bond commits you to work in a government hospital or serve in rural areas for a designated period after completing your MBBS. The bond amounts can range from Rs 3 lakhs to the full MBBS tuition fees for five years, making it essential for students to understand these obligations before enrolling in a program.

Consider MBBS fees

Candidates must know MBBS fees beforehand to plan their finances for the smooth admission process. The fees for private medical colleges are primarily regulated by the fee regulation committees in each state; however, government colleges typically charge significantly lower tuition compared to deemed universities and private institutions. Generally, students are required to pay fees for a duration of 4.5 years.

For instance, a seat in AIIMS costs less than Rs 10,000 per year, whereas tuition fees for private colleges and deemed universities start at around Rs 10 lakhs, and can go as high as Rs 22 to Rs 25 lakhs. This figure represents only the tuition fee and does not include additional expenses that may arise. These amounts apply to Indian students; fees for NRI candidates are considerably higher. This substantial difference in fees makes a government seat highly demandable, which explains the intense competition for securing an MBBS seat in government colleges.

Some general information

It’s essential to understand the structure and demands of the MBBS program before starting the journey. The MBBS course in India spans 5.5 years, which includes a one-year mandatory internship at a hospital. The MBBS syllabus is quite rigorous, encompassing subjects such as Human Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Pathology, Microbiology, and Forensic Medicine & Toxicology over the five years. This curriculum involves not only theoretical learning but also practical training.

Candidates must be prepared for extensive studying, long hours, sleepless nights, and a series of examinations. The workload increases significantly in the final year, as they will have to manage both your studies and the mandatory internship in a hospital. The internship provides invaluable hands-on experience in patient care, allowing you to apply the knowledge gained in the classroom. This phase is also crucial for determining which medical specialty you are most interested in pursuing for your postgraduate studies. As such, you may find it challenging to maintain a social life during these years due to the demanding schedule.