India is home to more than 15 of the cheapest private medical colleges offering full-time MBBS programs. These institutions are known for providing quality medical education at comparatively affordable fees, along with decent infrastructure and qualified faculty. Some of the well-known low-fee private medical colleges include Christian Medical College (Vellore), Kasturba Medical College (Manipal – under subsidised quotas), St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, and similar institutions that balance academic excellence with cost-effective fee structures.
Admission to these leading MBBS programs generally requires qualifying in the NEET UG or NEET PG entrance examinations. Fee structures vary significantly across institutions—Christian Medical College (CMC) Vellore remains one of the most affordable options at approximately INR 50,000 per year, while colleges such as Kasturba Medical College (KMC) Manipal, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (SRIHER), and others charge higher annual fees ranging from about INR 14,40,000 to INR 22,00,000. Despite the difference in costs, these institutions are known for their strong academic standards and are considered among the best choices for aspiring doctors in India.
[Page Index]
Highlights
India offers a wide range of medical specialisations, including Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy. Graduates from leading private MBBS colleges have diverse career opportunities in hospitals, research institutions, private clinics, and the pharmaceutical industry. Below are the key highlights of the top 10 private medical colleges in India, along with their respective fee structures.
| Parameters | Statistics |
|---|---|
| No. of Cheapest Private Medical Colleges in India | 15+ colleges |
| No. of Total Private Medical Colleges in India | 374+ Colleges |
| Annual Fee | INR < 1 lakh: 1 college INR 3-5 lakh: 2 colleges INR > 5 lakh: 10 colleges |
| Top Specialisation | Echo Cardiology and Cardiac Technology General Medicine |
| Accepted Entrance Exam | NEET PG, NEET UG, NEET SS, Punjab NEET, etc. |
Top Private Medical Colleges in India with Fee Structure
Here is the list of some of the top private medical colleges in India:
| SR. Nu. | College Name | Total Tuition Fee | NIRF Ranking ’25 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christian Medical College Admission | INR Rs.56,330 | 3 |
| 2 | Kasturba Medical College Admission | INR 17,80,000 | 10 |
| 3 | SOA University Admission | INR 21.95 lakhs | 15 |
| 4 | St. John’s Medical College Admission | INR 8,11,285/- | 30 |
Admissions
The admission requirements for top private medical colleges in India can vary depending on the college and course. Here are some common eligibility criteria:
- Candidates must have passed the Class 12 exam with Physics, Chemistry, and Zoology/Botany as their Science subjects.
- Candidates must have studied English in their qualifying exam’s main subject.
- Additionally, applicants must meet the age requirement, which is that they must be 17 or older at the time of admission.
- Numerous top-ranked medical schools in India accept results from the state- and national-level entrance tests like NEET in addition to merit-based admission.
Exam Schedule
The most popular entrance exams for top private medical colleges in India are:
NEET: The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is the only entrance exam for MBBS and BDS courses in India. Conducted once a year by the National Testing Agency (NTA), it lasts three hours and 20 minutes and is held offline. NEET is also used for admission to BSc Nursing, BAMS, Veterinary, and other medical/paramedical courses.
NEET PG: The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Post-Graduation (NEET PG) is for admission to MD (Doctor of Medicine), MS (Master of Surgery), and PG Diploma courses. Conducted once a year by the National Board of Examinations (NBE), this exam is computer-based.
The table below showcases the complete schedule of exams accepted by top Private Medical colleges in India:
| Exam Name | Exam Dates | Courses Applicable |
|---|---|---|
| NEET UG | 3 May 26 | MBBS, BDS, BSc Nursing, BAMS and Veterinary |
| NEET PG | 30 Aug 26 | MD, MS, PG Diploma and DNB |
Top Private Medical Colleges in India: NIRF Ranking
The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) ranks institutions annually under the Ministry of Education. It uses criteria like teaching, learning, resources, research, graduation outcomes, outreach, inclusivity, and peer perception. Based on these factors, the best medical colleges are ranked each year. Here are the top private medical colleges in India:
| SR. NU. | College Name | NIRF 2023 | NIRF 2024 | NIRF 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 2 | Christian Medical College | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| 3 | Kasturba Medical College, (KMC) Manipal | 9 | 9 | 10 |
| 4 | Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth | 15 | 11 | 12 |
| 5 | Siksha `O` Anusandhan | 16 | 21 | 15 |
| 6 | Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences | 18 | 12 | 11 |
| 7 | St. John’s Medical College | 19 | 28 | 30 |
| 8 | S.R.M. Institute of Science and Technology | 20 | 18 | 18 |
| 9 | Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research | 21 | 20 | 21 |
| 10 | Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore | 30 | 33 | 35 |
Top Private Medical Courses in India
Please check the table below for the top Medical courses offered by the leading 5 private medical colleges in India:
| Course Name | Eligibility / Exams | Popular Colleges |
| Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) | Eligibility: Passed Class 12 with PCB Exam: NEET UG | CMC Vellore, Kasturba Medical College, SRIHER, etc. |
| Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) | Eligibility: Passed Class 12 with PCB Exam: NEET UG | SRIHER, SIMTS, Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Christian Dental College, etc. |
| Doctor of Medicine (MD) | Eligibility: MBBS degree with minimum qualifying marks + 1-year compulsory internship Exams: NEET PG, INI CET | CMC Vellore, PGIMER, Kasturba Medical College, etc. |
| Master of Surgery (MS) | Eligibility: MBBS degree from a recognised institution + 1-year internship Exams: NEET PG, INI CET | Kasturba Medical College, PGIMER, CMC, etc. |
| Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) | Eligibility: BDS degree from a recognised dental college + completed internship Exams: NEET MDS, INI CET | AIIMS, MAIDS, SIMTS, etc. |
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ’s)
Which are the top private medical colleges in India with fee structure details?
CMC Vellore, KMC Manipal, SRIHER, St. John’s Medical College, and Amrita Institute are among the top private medical colleges with fees ranging from INR 50,000 to INR 22 lakh per year.
What is the average MBBS fee in top private medical colleges in India?
The average MBBS fee in top private medical colleges in India ranges between INR 10 lakh and INR 25 lakh per year.
Is NEET mandatory for admission to private medical colleges in India?
Yes, qualifying NEET UG is compulsory for MBBS admission in all private medical colleges in India.
Are there affordable private medical colleges in India?
Yes, colleges like CMC Vellore and St. John’s Medical College offer comparatively affordable MBBS fee structures.
Do top private medical colleges in India offer good career opportunities?
Yes, graduates from top private medical colleges have excellent career opportunities in hospitals, research, and private practice.
You can contact our counselor expert at 9999-703-444 for regarding your query.
You can contact our counselor expert at 9999-703-444 for regarding your query.