Total MBBS Seats in Maharashtra

Maharashtra is one of the top states in India for MBBS education, with a number of seats for students who clear NEET-UG. For the 2025–26 academic year, the total MBBS seats in Maharashtra amount to around 11,800 across about 80 medical colleges, including government and private institutions. These seats include both state quota and all-India quota seats, making it an opportunity for medical aspirants. Government colleges generally have lower fees and are more competitive, while private colleges have more seats but higher fees. Overall, Maharashtra continues to expand its medical education capacity each year.

Total Number of MBBS Seats in Maharashtra

Maharashtra remains a premier hub for medical education in India, providing approximately 12,824 MBBS seats across 85 institutions for the 2025–26 academic session. This capacity is a mix of many college types: about 5,900 seats are available in 42 government medical colleges, while private and deemed universities contribute over 6,600 seats. famous central institutes like AIIMS Nagpur and AFMC Pune also provide specialized opportunities. This total reflects a recent increase of nearly 1,000 seats, driven by the state’s efforts to establish new colleges and expand existing facilities to meet the rising demand for doctors.

For students planning their admissions, it is important to understand the seat-sharing formula. In government and private colleges, 85% of seats are reserved under the State Quota for local residents, while the remaining 15% are filled via the All India Quota (AIQ). This structure gives Maharashtra-domiciled students a substantial advantage in securing a spot. Admissions are strictly based on NEET UG scores, and with competition remaining high, staying updated on the seat matrix is essential for effective choice-filling during counseling.

Distribution of MBBS Seats: Government vs Private Colleges

The distribution of MBBS seats between government and private colleges plays an important role in medical education. Government medical colleges generally provide fewer seats compared to private colleges, but they are preferred by students. This is mainly because government colleges have much lower tuition fees, making medical education affordable for students from middle- and lower-income families. Admission to these colleges is very competitive, as many students aim for limited seats with good facilities, experienced teachers, and recognized hospitals for training.

Private medical colleges have a larger number of MBBS seats and help meet the growing demand for doctors in the country. Also, the fees in private colleges are much higher, which can be a burden for many families. While private colleges provide modern infrastructure and good learning opportunities, not all students can afford them. Therefore, balancing seat distribution and improving affordability is important for equal access to medical education.

MBBS Seats in Government Medical Colleges

Securing an MBBS seat in a government medical college is the ultimate goal for most aspirants because of the subsidized fees and the extensive clinical training they provide. For the 2025–26 academic session, India has approximately 60,000 to 65,000 government seats spread across more than 450 institutions. Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh lead the way with the highest number of government seats, generally exceeding 5,000–6,000 per state. These colleges are preferred for their high patient inflow, which provides students invaluable practical training that is generally harder to find in private setups.

Admissions to these coveted spots are governed by a strict quota system: 15% of seats are reserved for the All India Quota (AIQ), managed by the MCC, while the remaining 85% fall under the State Quota. Competition is incredibly intense, with millions of students appearing for NEET UG to claim one of these relatively few positions. Because the government frequently approves new colleges to improve the doctor-to-patient ratio, the seat matrix is constantly expanding, providing a “wider safety net” for high-scoring students during the counseling process.

MBBS Seats in Private Medical Colleges

Private medical colleges provide an important alternative for students who may not secure a government seat but still wish to pursue medicine within India. For the 2025–26 academic session, there are approximately 58,000 to 60,000 private MBBS seats across the country, with Maharashtra alone contributing over 6,000 of these. While these institutions provide modern infrastructure and advanced facilities, the annual tuition fees are higher, typically ranging from ₹10 lakh to ₹25 lakh. Despite the cost, they are sought after because they follow the same NMC-regulated curriculum as government colleges, ensuring a standard quality of education.

Admissions to private colleges are also based on NEET UG scores, but the “cutoff” marks are generally lower than those for government institutions. These seats are typically divided into the General/Merit Quota (for state-domiciled students), the Management Quota, and the NRI Quota. While the merit seats provide somewhat lower fees, the management and NRI categories generally come with a premium price tag. For many families, private colleges represent a “second chance” to fulfill a medical dream without moving abroad, provided they can manage the financial commitment.

Deemed Universities and MBBS Seat Availability

Deemed Universities play an important role in India’s medical landscape, providing a number of MBBS seats for students who may miss out on government colleges. As of 2026, there are approximately 12,000 to 12,500 MBBS seats across nearly 60 Deemed Universities nationwide. These institutions are popular because they do not have strict “domicile” rules, meaning a student from any state can apply for any college. Also, this accessibility comes at a higher cost, with annual tuition fees generally ranging between ₹15 lakh and ₹27 lakh.

The admission process is centrally managed by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) based on NEET-UG scores. While the competition is slightly less intense than for government seats, the high demand for top-tier colleges like Kasturba Medical College (Manipal) or JSS Medical College (Mysuru) still requires a strong rank. Seats are divided into General (Management) and NRI quotas. If you are considering this path, it is essential to monitor the MCC portal for the seat matrix updates during counseling rounds to see exactly how many spots are open.

Category-wise Distribution of MBBS Seats (State Quota & All India Quota)

In India, MBBS seats are primarily split into two main buckets: the All India Quota (AIQ) and the State Quota. The AIQ covers 15% of seats in government medical colleges and is open to students from every state. These seats follow a standard central reservation policy: 27% for OBC, 15% for SC, 7.5% for ST, 10% for EWS, and a 5% horizontal reservation for PwD. Because anyone in the country can apply, competition for these spots is intense, and the cut-off marks are generally very high.

The remaining 85% of government seats fall under the State Quota, which is specifically reserved for students who belong to that particular state. Unlike the AIQ, each state sets its own reservation rules and percentages based on local demographics. This quota is generally the more accessible route for most students because the competition is limited to local residents, leading to relatively lower cut-offs. To claim a seat here, you generally need to provide a domicile certificate proving your residency in the state.

Year-wise Growth in MBBS Seats in Maharashtra

Maharashtra has seen a rise in MBBS seats over the last few years, reflecting a commitment to strengthening its medical infrastructure. From around 7,270 seats in 2017, the capacity jumped to 10,745 by 2024, and further climbed to 12,824 seats for the 2025-26 session. This growth is driven by the establishment of some new Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) in districts like Washim, Gadchiroli, and Buldhana, alongside seat increases in existing private and deemed institutions.

This steady expansion is a major relief for the nearly 2.5 lakh NEET aspirants in the state. By adding thousands of seats, particularly in the affordable government sector, Maharashtra is making medical education more accessible and addressing the shortage of doctors in rural areas. With plans to add even more colleges by 2026, the state is firmly positioning itself as a leading hub for healthcare training in India.

Admission Process for MBBS Seats in Maharashtra

The admission process for MBBS seats in Maharashtra is mainly based on the NEET-UG examination. Students who want to become doctors must first appear for NEET and score the required cutoff marks. After the results are declared, eligible candidates need to register online for the state counselling process conducted by the State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra. During registration, students must fill in their personal details, NEET score, and upload required documents such as mark sheets and certificates.

Once registration is complete, the counselling process begins. Seats are allotted through multiple rounds based on the student’s NEET rank, category, and preferences of colleges. Maharashtra provides MBBS seats under state quota, institutional quota, and management quota in government and private medical colleges. After seat allotment, students must report to the allotted college for document verification and fee payment to confirm their admission.

FAQ’s

Connect with Us

Start your medical educational journey with the Admission Zone! Contact us today on 9205488482/ 7599994403 or WhatsApp us to explore a world of educational possibilities in the state and secure your admission to a brighter future.

Conclusion

Maharashtra is one of the leading states in India for MBBS education, providing a large and growing number of medical seats. With over 12,800 MBBS seats across government, private, deemed, and central institutions, the state provides many opportunities for NEET aspirants. Government colleges remain the most preferred due to low fees, while private and deemed colleges help meet rising demand. The steady increase in seats shows Maharashtra’s focus on improving healthcare and medical education. Students who understand the seat distribution, quotas, and counselling process can make better admission choices.