MBBS Seats Vacant: Cost a Barrier?

Significant Vacancy Numbers

As of November 6, 2026, a substantial number of MBBS seats remain unoccupied across India. According to India Today, 3,426 MBBS seats were vacant after the third round of NEET UG 2026 counselling – five times the number from last year’s stage, which stood at 802.

Post-Vacancy Round Still Unfilled

Even after the special stray vacancy round, 837 seats remained unfilled in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karnataka, as reported by multiple sources.

Financial Constraints Drive Vacancies

Dr. Sumer Sethi, a radiologist and medical educator, argues that the rising cost of private medical education is a key factor. He states that a private MBBS seat can cost approximately Rs 1.25 crore, including tuition, hostel, and other expenses.

Increased Medical Education Capacity

India has expanded its medical education capacity considerably. The National Medical Commission approved 13,636 additional undergraduate medical seats in 2026, bringing the total to over 1.4 lakh. More than 75% of these new seats are located in private medical colleges.

Private vs. Government Seats

Currently, private medical colleges account for 46.72% of the total 839 medical colleges, offering 76,543 seats – 60.25% of the total 1,27,028 MBBS seats. In contrast, government medical colleges hold 64,121 seats, representing 50.48% of the total.

New Institutions Primarily Private

Of the 41 new medical colleges established since 2025, 28 are private, contributing nearly 78% (3,000 seats) of the newly added capacity.

Proposed Solutions

Dr. Sethi suggests that stronger fee regulation, increased government medical college availability, and a clearer pathway to sustainable income after graduation are needed. He emphasizes that “You can’t sell a Rs 1 crore degree on passion alone.”

Current Status

As of November 6, 2026, more than 800 MBBS seats remain vacant after the final NEET UG round. The issue of affordability continues to be a significant challenge for aspiring medical students.

Source: India Today. Featured image credit: India Today.