In short
MBBS stands for Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (from the Latin Medicinae Baccalaureus, Baccalaureus Chirurgiae). In India it is a 5.5-year programme — 4.5 years of academic study plus a one-year compulsory rotating internship — and admission to every seat, government or private, is through NEET-UG and counselling.
Duration and structure
The course runs for nine semesters over 4.5 years, taught under NMC’s competency-based curriculum, followed by a one-year internship in a teaching hospital. Accommodation and living costs run for the full five years, which is why the total cost of a private seat is much more than four and a half years of tuition; our hidden costs guide breaks it down.
Who can apply
- School qualification: Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Biotechnology, and English, with at least 50% marks (40% for SC, ST and OBC; 45% for General candidates with benchmark disabilities), as NMC’s regulations provide. Confirm the current notification.
- Age: at least 17 years on or before 31 December of the year of admission.
- NEET-UG: you must qualify the entrance test. For 2026 the minimum scores are 213 (General/EWS), 194 (General-PwD) and 177 (OBC/SC/ST) — details here.
How admission works
Seats are allotted by rank through online counselling — MCC for the 15% All India quota and deemed universities, and state bodies for state, management and NRI seats. See the official portal for each state and the NMC seat matrix for how many seats exist. Anyone who offers a seat outside counselling, for cash, is offering something that does not exist.
Frequently asked questions
What is the full form of MBBS?
Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery — in Latin, Medicinae Baccalaureus, Baccalaureus Chirurgiae.
How many years is MBBS in India?
5.5 years: 4.5 years of academic study in nine semesters, plus a one-year compulsory rotating internship.
Is NEET compulsory for MBBS in India?
Yes. NEET-UG qualification is required for every MBBS seat in India, including management and NRI quota seats.
What is the minimum age for MBBS?
17 years on or before 31 December of the year of admission.
Sources
NEET 2026 counselling support
Planning an MBBS admission? Ask a counsellor
Get a personalised list of NMC-approved private and deemed medical colleges matching your NEET score and budget.
Sources and how to verify this page
Cutoffs and fees on this page are compiled estimates for the 2026 cycle, not official figures. Every claim about eligibility, counselling process and legality can be checked against the primary sources below, and you should check them before acting.
- National Medical Commission — recognised colleges and seat matrix
- Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) — deemed and all-India quota
- National Testing Agency — NEET-UG results and percentiles
- UP DGME — Uttar Pradesh private MBBS counselling
- BCECEB — Bihar private MBBS counselling
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