Study of medicine comes under the tertiary educational institutions. It is an institution where medicine is taught, and the students are granted with the professional degrees for surgeons or physicians. Besides these degrees, medical schools are also known for carrying out research in the field of medicine and operating teaching hospitals.  Students who pursue their higher education in medicine have plenty of options to choose from when it comes to future career pathways. But in order to enjoy this rewarding career, students must complete their education from the best medical colleges in India.

There are various recognized and prestigious medical colleges in almost every city of India. One such city is Kolkata where some of the best medical colleges can be found. Students from all over India head to Kolkata in order to pursue various educational courses in medicine. With so many options to choose from, students often get confused regarding the top medical colleges in Kolkata. That is why here we are listing the top medical colleges in Kolkata for you to choose from along with their performance on various essential parameters. 

Top Medical Colleges in Kolkata (NIRF Ranking 2020) 

NIRF is the National Institutional Ranking Framework which is a methodology adopted by The Ministry of Human Resources, Government of India. In this, the ranking of institutions of higher education is done. Every year about 4000 institutes participate in the rankings. The institutions are of the following categories: Management, Pharmacy, medical, law, architecture, Engineering, and dental. They are released year wise and published every year with college name and rankings on the official website of NIRF. Currently, there are no top medical colleges in Kolkata that have been ranked on the NIRF 2020 Ranking. 

Top Medical Colleges in Kolkata (Careers360 Ranking) 

Careers360 is an online platform which provides all the information about various colleges. It is a site that can be used to compare colleges before finalizing them. The students can choose their preferred college on the basis of fees, placements, location, and other facilities. Careers360 also ranks various colleges for the clarity of the students. The list of best medical colleges in Kolkata according to Careers360 ranking is: 

Top Medical Colleges in Kolkata (Placements)

Since we are talking about medical colleges here, there is no such thing as “placement cell” in these medical colleges. Students at medical colleges are made to intern in the hospitals that are under their colleges for a period of 1 year after their 4th year of college. During this internship, the stipend received varies from Rs. 5,000 – Rs. 30,000 and almost everybody gets to intern in these hospitals. The students experience so much exposure during their internship that it becomes very easy for them to get a good job in the desired hospital, paying them up to Rs. 1.5 lakhs per month. The top medical colleges in Kolkata that provide such facilities are: -

Top Medical Colleges in Kolkata (Course Fees)

Different medical colleges have varied fee structures. But it is a fact that the fees of medical colleges are relatively higher than other courses since it is a professional degree and the practicals that are carried out in the study of medicine are expensive. Thus, all these factors lead to a higher amount of fees for a medical college. The fee structure also plays an important role in choosing the desired college. Some top colleges based on fees in Kolkata are as follows:

Top Medical Colleges in Kolkata (Entrance Exams)

To study medicine in India, it is mandatory for a student to opt for Physics, Chemistry and Biology (PCB) as their main subjects in 10+2 examinations. Further, the students have to appear in the entrance exam, which is quite competitive. This exam is conducted by the Central Government statutory body- NTA (National Testing Agency) through the test known as NEET entrance examination.

Students even take a drop for a year or more just so that they can prepare for this examination because of its level of difficulty. The approximate number of students that apply for this exam is more than 10 lakhs and the number of students that qualify this exam range between 60,000-65,000 only.

Important medical exams include AFMC (Armed Forces Medical College), AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences), AIPMT (All India Pre Medical Test), NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test), etc. Almost every Medical college in Kolkata accepts NEET for its entrance test. 

Popular Specializations and Top Medical Colleges in Kolkata offering them

After the mandatory MBBS degree in undergraduate, a student can choose from any of the given specializations during the post graduation degree in the field of medicine. Though, again there is a race to achieve that post graduation degree. The number of seats available for the post graduation degree in the field of medicine is much less than the number of seats available for MBBS. 

Preferred Specializations after MBBS: 

1. MD Radiodiagnosis

MD Radiodiagnosis involves diagnostic testing and radiation treatment. The work of the doctor is to examine X Rays, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRIs), Computed Tomography (CT Scans), ultrasounds, etc. Even for a simple headache, the doctor advises the patient to go through these procedures. This has become one of the most preferred specializations in the last years. The top medical colleges in Kolkata providing this specialization are:

·   West Bengal University of Health Sciences

·   Nil Ratan Sarkar Medical College and Hospital 

·   Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education And Research

2.  MD General Medicine

The sole purpose of MD General Medicine is to provide for the community. In a country, where there is a great deal of inequality between urban and rural regions, this specialization plays an important role. The availability of health services varies from one place to another. This is the reason why this degree is required which enables students to actively help the society as a whole. The role of the student is to practice medicine in different fields of requirement, like ambulatory, intensive care, emergency medicines, etc. The best medical colleges in Kolkata that provide this specialization are as follows: -

·  Medical College, Kolkata

·  Calcutta National Medical College, Kolkata

·  Nil Ratan Sarkar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata

·  Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education And Research

·  Nilratan Sircar Medical College & Hospital, Kolkata

3.  MS General Surgery

As the name suggests, doctors attaining specialization in MD General Surgery have knowledge about medical conditions through operations. Surgeons hold an especially important position in the field of medicine and hospitals. They are required through the whole process of diagnosing, treating or operating and providing the care that is required afterwards for the patient. This field is still exploring and is growing day by day. More and more innovation and advancement in technology are taking place with the best results. The top medical colleges of Kolkata that provide this course are: -

·  Medical College, Kolkata

·  Nilratan Sircar Medical College & Hospital, [NSMC&H] Kolkata

·  Nil Ratan Sarkar Medical College and Hospital, [NRSMCAH] Kolkata

·  Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education And Research, [IOPGMEAR] Kolkata

4. MD Dermatology

MD Dermatology was recognized as a different specialization other than internal medicine quite later in this field. As per the data, approximately 1 out of 20 Indian citizens are suffering from skin diseases which lead to the call for the doctor. This specialization has gained a lot of demand since people have started becoming more conscious about their skin nowadays. Top medical colleges in Kolkata providing this course are: -

·   Medical College, Kolkata

·   Nilratan Sircar Medical College & Hospital, [NSMC&H] Kolkata

·   Nil Ratan Sarkar Medical College and Hospital, [NRSMCAH] Kolkata

·   Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education And Research, [IOPGMEAR] Kolkata

·   West Bengal University of Life Sciences, Kolkata

5. MS Obstetrics and Gynecology

This specialization concerns female reproductive health. The doctors seek to provide health care services to women. This field is generally favoured by women doctors in view of their gender. The best medical colleges in Kolkata which provide study in MS Obstetrics and Gynecology stream are: -

·   Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education And Research, [IOPGMEAR] Kolkata

·   West Bengal University of Life Sciences, Kolkata

·   Medical College, Kolkata

·   ESI Post Graduate Institute of Medical Science and Research, [EPGIOMSAR] Kolkata

Other Important specializations available at top medical colleges in Kolkata include:

·  MD Anatomy

·  MD Anesthesiology

·  MD Biochemistry

·  MD Biochemistry

·  MS Ophthalmology

·  MS Orthopedics

·  MD Biophysics

·  MD Community Medicine

·  MD Forensic Medicine

·  MS Anatomy

The admission process at top medical colleges in Kolkata

I.  For UG course:

-  The first step towards getting a medical degree would be opting for Physics, Chemistry and Biology in 10+2 examinations. It is mandatory to choose these subjects as core subjects to be eligible to sit in the next step of the entrance exam, i.e., NEET- UG exam.

-  The second step is to apply for the NEET-UG examination. The minimum age of the candidate should be 17 years, and the maximum age limit is 30 years. The candidate should be able to score 50% in his NEET exam to be eligible for the admission in the colleges.

-  The admissions take place on the basis of merit. A merit list is made by every college, and the students who have attained the marks in that bar in their NEET exams can apply for the admission and further counselling.

II.  For PG course: 

-   After receiving the MBBS degree, the students can apply for NEET PG Entrance Exam.

-   The same process of merit list is followed. Colleges prepare the individual merit lists, and the students who have scored marks in that bar can apply for admission and further counselling according to the field of specialization that they’ve chosen. 

Things to look for in top colleges:

The students must look for the location, fees, and internship opportunities while they apply in any medical college.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q1. Do government medical colleges in West Bengal have rural service bonds after MBBS? Specifically, Medical College, Kolkata.

Every student completing MBBS from a government medical college must do 3 years of service in the rural area to provide good health facilities. Even West Bengal has this rule.

Q2. How are hostel rooms in the college and with how many people do you have to share it, based on whether I am a 1st-year MBBS or 2nd year, etc.?

Every college has its own guidelines regarding the sharing of rooms and accommodations. Some hostel rooms are 4-sharing, some 2-sharing, and other single occupants as well.

Q3. Does KPC Medical College, Kolkata accept management quota with 200 marks in NEET whatever may be the fees structure?

KPC Medical College, Kolkata has management quota seats for admission in MBBS. However, only the NEET qualified students who reside in West Bengal itself get to use this quota for admission in state government colleges.

Q4. RG Kar Medical, college Kolkata MD stipend?

In the first year of MD, it is Rs. 43,758. In the second year of MD, it is Rs. 47,125, and in the third year of MD, it is Rs. 50,490.

Q5. Does any Hindi speaking person have any problem in RG Kar medical college Kolkata or while dealing with patients in kolkata?

NO. There are people from all around India; therefore, there is no problem faced by the doctors as such.

Q6.  Is there any ragging in RG Kar medical college Kolkata?

No, ragging is totally banned.

Q7.  Pursuing MBBS is best in which medical college, is it IPGMER or in medical college, Kolkata?

IPGMER is definitely a great college, but people prefer this one during their PG, not UG. For UG, Medical College Kolkata would be quite good.

Q8. How much do I need to score to get a chance in a good government college like NRS or Calcutta medical college or others being a local resident?

In 2018 under State Quota, 533 marks secured a seat in Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College and 509 marks secured a seat in Calcutta Medical College. 

Q9. Which is better: RG Kar Medical College, Kolkata or Sri Venkateswara institute of medical sciences, Tirupati?

RG KAR medical college is better in terms of ranking and ratings

Q10. Which college is better: Medical College Kolkata or IPGMER?

If you get a good rank in the entrance exam, then you must go for MCK. They have good fests, get together programmes and a good environment for studying. IPGMER, on the other hand, is quite easy for the students. The location of the college is very sound too.