The rising cost of medical education in the country is now beginning to show its impact on the MBBS admission process as well. Even after the five-stage counselling for NEET UG 2026 and the Medical Counselling Committee’s (MCC) special stray vacancy round, 411 MBBS seats have remained vacant. A total of 948 vacant seats were included in this round, of which candidates were allotted only 537 seats.
The issue of vacant seats is sparking a fresh debate over fees in private medical colleges. According to information attributed to a Health Ministry official, fees in some institutions that were earlier around Rs 15 lakh have risen to Rs 25 to 30 lakh. In such a situation, despite clearing the NEET examination, many candidates may find it financially difficult to take admission in private medical colleges.
According to the report, seats in government medical colleges and reputed private institutions are being filled, while vacancies are mainly concentrated in some private medical colleges. Last year, only about 60 to 70 MBBS seats had remained vacant after counselling. This time, the number is much higher.
Experts and Health Ministry officials have said there is a need to review the fees, quality of education and available infrastructure in private institutions. However, the fact that 411 seats remain vacant does not prove that fees alone were the obstacle to admission for every seat. Even so, the figure raises serious questions about access to medical education and the growing financial challenges around it.
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