Medical Colleges in India

Medical Colleges in India have few belts under their waist; firstly they comprise the largest number of medical colleges in the World (IMED directory). Secondly, majority of the graduates from the medical schools in India work in foreign countries and not in India itself. Some of these prospective countries are from Middle East, Europe and North America. As per one study (timesofindia.com) India produces 30,000 doctors and 18,000 specialists every year. And as of 2012 Statement in Indian Parliament, there are 362 medical colleges of India which have been recognised by MCI (Medical Council of India). Furthermore, there are 194 private medical colleges and 168 government sector colleges in India. South India has largest number of medical colleges in India as of 2012 study, there are total of 157 medical colleges here. The largest concentration of these institutes is located in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Manipur, Tripura, Chandigarh, Goa and Sikkim are those Indian States which have the fewest medical colleges. MBBS is the by and large common and mostly preferred as a course of education. MS, MD, DNB etc. are other courses offered by the medical institutes and pursued by students.

Records are one thing and the information most sought is another. That information is that medical schools can be divided into private medical college in India and government medical colleges in India. Subcategories can be autonomous medical colleges in India, Christian medical colleges and army medical colleges in India. While the definition of the government and private ones are obvious. Autonomous are those which have freedom towards curriculum, examinations and governance. Christian medical colleges are minority colleges admitting only Christian students. Army medical colleges are especially meant for candidates having army background under various capacities. All these, however are recognised by Medical Council of India which is a statutory body establishing uniform and high standards of medical education in India. Though MCI was dissolved by the President of India on 15 May 2010, it still continues to function as of 2013.

To study in Medical Schools in India is of course far from a ‘Walk in the Park’; you have to clear the medical entrance examinations and spend a heft amount of money to study the courses offered upon clearance. There are other unseen possibilities like bribes, VIP seats reserved and others which can become hindrances in a student’s medical education. But that doesn’t discourage the brave hearted especially in the wake of RTI (Right to information). To get admission in medical college in India, candidates have to clear entrance examinations conducted nationally or regionally. As of 2012 (ndtv) statistics, there are 41,569 MBBS seats in the 335 medical colleges across India and 22,194 PG seats.

These seats are divided as per the reservation policies of state and the central governments.

Under the All India Quota the reservation is as follows:

15% for SC Candidates

7.5% for ST Candidates

27% for the NCL OBC.  NCL stands for Non Creamy Layer

3% seats are horizontally reserved for the Physically Handicapped candidates with a locomotory disability

A number of seats are also reserved for students from developing countries where facilities for medical education are inadequate or nil. The number of these reserved may vary annually.