Total Government and Private Medical Colleges in India 2025

India’s medical education framework powers its healthcare sector, preparing physicians to cater to a populace of over 1.4 billion.

By 2025, India will have 779 medical colleges and universities providing MBBS programs, with a total of 117,950 seats distributed among 434 government institutions and 345 private ones.

These establishments are located across 28 states and 8 union territories, encompassing both independent medical colleges and universities such as AIIMS, as well as deemed universities like Kasturba Medical College.

This article examines the distribution of these institutions by state, focusing on the total number of medical colleges in India for 2025, the state-wise breakdown of medical colleges in India, the total number of government medical colleges in India, and the total number of private medical colleges in India.

Total Medical Colleges and Universities in India

Rank	State/Union Territory	Total Medical Colleges and Universities (Govt + Private)
1	Uttar Pradesh	88
2	Karnataka	86
3	Maharashtra	94
4	Tamil Nadu	91
5	Telangana	65
6	Gujarat	41
7	Rajasthan	32
8	Andhra Pradesh	38
9	West Bengal	39
10	Kerala	36
11	Madhya Pradesh	31
12	Bihar	22
13	Odisha	19
14	Chhattisgarh	16
15	Haryana	13
16	Punjab	13
17	Delhi	11
18	Jharkhand	9
19	Puducherry	8
20	Himachal Pradesh	8
21	Assam	7
22	Uttarakhand	7
23	Jammu and Kashmir	4
24	Manipur	4
25	Tripura	3
26	Andaman and Nicobar Islands	1
27	Arunachal Pradesh	1
28	Chandigarh	1
29	Meghalaya	1
30	Nagaland	1
31	Sikkim	1
32	DNHDD (Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu)	0
33	Goa	0
34	Ladakh	0
35	Lakshadweep	0
36	Mizoram	0

As of 2025, the total number of medical colleges in India has reached 779, which includes both government and private institutions.

The distribution of these medical colleges across various states in India is as follows:

Maharashtra ranks first with 94 institutions, followed closely by Tamil Nadu with 91, Uttar Pradesh with 88, Karnataka with 86, and Telangana with 65.

Following these states are Gujarat with 41, West Bengal with 39, Kerala with 36, and Andhra Pradesh with 38.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Sikkim each host one institution.

In contrast, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Goa, Ladakh, Lakshadweep, and Mizoram report no medical colleges.

Maharashtra’s leading position is attributed to its combination of government institutions, such as Grant Medical College, and prominent private entities like Bharati Vidyapeeth.

The high number of colleges in Tamil Nadu reflects a well-balanced system where both government and private sectors are flourishing.

Uttar Pradesh’s figures are indicative of its large population, while Karnataka’s predominance of private colleges contributes significantly to its total.

The swift growth in Telangana can be attributed to government investments, including the establishment of new AIIMS, alongside private sector expansion.

The lack of medical colleges in regions such as Lakshadweep and Mizoram underscores several challenges, including small populations, geographical remoteness, and insufficient funding.

Students hailing from these areas encounter significant difficulties as they compete for limited seats in more populous states like Karnataka or Delhi.

Total Government Medical Colleges in India

Rank	State/Union Territory	Number of Government Medical Colleges and Universities
1	Tamil Nadu	38
2	Uttar Pradesh	36
3	Maharashtra	29
4	Telangana	28
5	Karnataka	21
6	West Bengal	21
7	Andhra Pradesh	19
8	Gujarat	18
9	Kerala	13
10	Rajasthan	12
11	Bihar	11
12	Madhya Pradesh	11
13	Assam	10
14	Delhi	9
15	Odisha	8
16	Chhattisgarh	7
17	Haryana	7
18	Himachal Pradesh	7
19	Punjab	7
20	Jharkhand	6
21	Uttarakhand	4
22	Jammu and Kashmir	3
23	Manipur	3
24	Puducherry	3
25	Tripura	2
26	Andaman and Nicobar Islands	1
27	Arunachal Pradesh	1
28	Chandigarh	1
29	Meghalaya	1
30	Nagaland	1
31	Sikkim	1
32	DNHDD (Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu)	0
33	Goa	0
34	Ladakh	0
35	Lakshadweep	0
36	Mizoram	0

The compilation of government medical colleges in India comprises 434 institutions that provide cost-effective education and high-quality training.

Below is the state-wise distribution of these government medical colleges in India:

Tamil Nadu leads the list with 38 government medical colleges and universities, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 36, Maharashtra with 29, Telangana with 28, and both Karnataka and West Bengal with 21 each.

Smaller states such as Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Sikkim each possess one institution.

Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Goa, Ladakh, Lakshadweep, and Mizoram do not have any government institutions.

Why does Tamil Nadu hold the top position?

The state has consistently prioritized healthcare, establishing institutions like Madras Medical College and expanding AIIMS campuses.

Its commitment to medical education guarantees access for students from various economic backgrounds.

Uttar Pradesh, with its large population, requires numerous colleges to adequately train doctors, bolstered by government initiatives such as the establishment of new AIIMS in Gorakhpur and Raebareli.

Maharashtra and Telangana benefit from robust economies and urban centers like Mumbai and Hyderabad, which are home to esteemed institutions such as AIIMS Nagpur and Government Medical College, Hyderabad.

Smaller regions like Lakshadweep (population approximately 64,000) and Mizoram lack government colleges due to insufficient demand and high establishment costs.

These areas depend on neighboring states, compelling students to vie for seats elsewhere through NEET.

The total number of government medical colleges in India reflects an effort to increase capacity (65,000 by 2025), yet disparities persist in remote areas.

Total Private Medical Colleges in India

Rank	State/Union Territory	Number of Private Medical Colleges and Universities
1	Karnataka	65
2	Maharashtra	65
3	Uttar Pradesh	52
4	Tamil Nadu	53
5	Telangana	37
6	Gujarat	23
7	Kerala	23
8	Madhya Pradesh	20
9	Rajasthan	20
10	West Bengal	18
11	Bihar	11
12	Odisha	11
13	Chhattisgarh	9
14	Haryana	6
15	Punjab	6
16	Jharkhand	3
17	Uttarakhand	3
18	Delhi	2
19	Puducherry	5
20	Assam	1
21	Himachal Pradesh	1
22	Jammu and Kashmir	1
23	Manipur	1
24	Tripura	1
25	Andaman and Nicobar Islands	0
26	Arunachal Pradesh	0
27	Chandigarh	0
28	DNHDD (Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu)	0
29	Goa	0
30	Ladakh	0
31	Lakshadweep	0
32	Meghalaya	0
33	Mizoram	0
34	Nagaland	0
35	Sikkim	0

India has a total of 345 private medical colleges, catering to students who can afford the higher tuition fees while facing intense competition for government seats. Below is the state-wise distribution:

Karnataka and Maharashtra lead with 65 private medical colleges and universities each, followed by Tamil Nadu with 53, Uttar Pradesh with 52, and Telangana with 37.

Gujarat and Kerala each have 23 institutions, while Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan both have 20.

States such as Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur, and Tripura each host a single private institution.

Thirteen states and Union Territories, including Goa, Ladakh, Lakshadweep, and Mizoram, do not have any private institutions.

Karnataka’s prominence is attributed to its reputation as an educational hub, with Bangalore being home to prestigious private universities like the Manipal Academy of Higher Education.

The private sector in Maharashtra flourishes in urban centers such as Pune and Mumbai, which host institutions like D.Y. Patil Medical College.

Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh maintain a balance between robust government and private sectors to meet the high demand for medical education.

The growth of Telangana is indicative of Hyderabad’s emergence as a significant center for healthcare and education.

What accounts for the absence of private colleges in certain states?

Establishing a medical college requires substantial investment, often in crores, and regions like Lakshadweep or Mizoram do not possess the necessary population or economic foundation to sustain them.

Private investors are inclined to focus on urban areas where affluent families are willing to pay annual fees ranging from ₹5 to ₹25 lakh.

This urban-centric approach results in rural students having to travel considerable distances for their education, frequently incurring significant costs.

Why Are There Disparities? Analyzing the Situation

Multiple factors contribute to this uneven distribution:

Population Size: Uttar Pradesh (240 million) and Maharashtra (125 million) require more colleges compared to Sikkim (~0.6 million).

Larger populations increase the demand for doctors and warrant the establishment of more institutions.

Economic Strength: Affluent states such as Karnataka and Maharashtra draw private investment, whereas less wealthy states like Bihar (22 institutions) fall behind despite having large populations.

Government Priorities: Tamil Nadu’s sustained emphasis on healthcare education stands in contrast to Goa’s dependence on neighboring states. The introduction of new AIIMS in regions like Assam enhances the overall numbers.

Urban vs. Rural Divide: Private colleges tend to concentrate in urban areas like Bangalore and Mumbai, where infrastructure and wealthy students facilitate high tuition fees.

Conversely, rural regions such as Ladakh are left behind.

Historical Legacy: States like Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, which established early medical colleges (e.g., Calcutta Medical College), have developed robust systems over time.

Implications for Students

For those aspiring to become doctors, the list of government medical colleges in India provides the most economical route, with fees ranging from ₹10,000 to ₹50,000 annually.

Institutions like AIIMS Delhi and JIPMER Puducherry are among the top in India, yet NEET cutoffs (often exceeding 600 out of 720) make admission challenging.

Private colleges, while equipped with modern amenities, charge between ₹5 to ₹25 lakh each year, which restricts access for many.

Students from states with limited or no colleges, such as Mizoram or Lakshadweep, encounter additional obstacles, frequently needing to move to urban centers.

This situation escalates costs and intensifies competition.

The government’s initiative to establish 112 new colleges (50 government and 62 private) in 2024-25 aims to bridge these gaps, although progress remains sluggish in remote locations.

Source

• Ministry of Education, Government of India. (2025). India rankings 2025: Medical. National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF).