Top Medical Colleges in India 2025: NIRF Ranking List Revealed
The National Testing Agency (NTA) announced the NEET UG 2025 results on June 14, 2025. With the results out, the admission process for MBBS and BDS courses across India has officially started.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) announced the NEET UG 2025 results on June 14, 2025. With the results out, the admission process for MBBS and BDS courses across India has officially started. This year, 22.09 lakh students appeared for the NEET UG exam, and 12.36 lakh of them qualified. Compared to last year, when 13.15 lakh students passed, the number of qualifiers is slightly lower this time. In total, 22.76 lakh students had registered for the exam in 2025, which is also a bit less than the 24.06 lakh who registered in 2024.
Understanding the NIRF Rankings
The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) is an annual ranking system released by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, to rank higher education institutions in India. It evaluates institutions across five broad parameters: Teaching, Learning & Resources (TLR), Research and Professional Practice (RP), Graduation Outcomes (GO), Outreach and Inclusivity (OI), and Perception (PR). NIRF rankings aim to provide a comprehensive assessment of institutions, helping them benchmark their performance and enabling students to make informed choices.
What is NIRF? – A Quick Overview
Parameters Used in NIRF Medical Rankings
The NIRF (National Institutional Ranking Framework) rankings for medical institutions in India are based on five key parameters: Teaching, Learning & Resources (TLR), Research and Professional Practice (RP), Graduation Outcome (GO), Outreach and Inclusivity (OI), and Perception (PR). These parameters are assigned specific weightages to determine the overall score and ranking.
Top 10 Medical Colleges in India 2025 – Full List
Here are the Top 10 Medical Colleges in India 2025 according to the latest NIRF rankings:
Rank | Institution | City, State | NIRF Score (2024) |
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1 | All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) | New Delhi, Delhi | 94.46 |
2 | Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER) | Chandigarh, Chandigarh | 80.83 |
3 | Christian Medical College (CMC) | Vellore, Tamil Nadu | 75.11 |
4 | National Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences (NIMHANS) | Bengaluru, Karnataka | 71.92 |
5 | Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER) | Puducherry | 70.74 |
6 | Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS) | Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh | 70.07 |
7 | Banaras Hindu University (IMS‑BHU) | Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh | 69.54 |
8 | Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham | Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu | 68.81 |
9 | Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Manipal | Manipal, Karnataka | 67.42 |
10 | Madras Medical College and Government General Hospital | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | 64.12 |
Detailed Profile of Top 5 Medical Institutions
1. All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi
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Rank: 1
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Location: New Delhi
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Established: 1956
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NIRF Score: 94.46
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Type: Government
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Highlights:
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Premier medical institute known for world-class education and research.
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Offers undergraduate (MBBS), postgraduate (MD/MS), super-specialty, and doctoral courses.
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Known for low fees and excellent infrastructure.
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AIIMS Entrance has been replaced by NEET UG for MBBS admission.
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2. Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh
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Rank: 2
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Location: Chandigarh
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Established: 1962
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NIRF Score: 80.83
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Type: Government
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Highlights:
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Specializes in postgraduate education, research, and healthcare.
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Offers MD, MS, M.Ch, DM, and Ph.D. programs.
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Admission to MD/MS programs via INI-CET exam.
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Known for high patient volume and advanced medical research.
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3. Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore
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Rank: 3
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Location: Vellore, Tamil Nadu
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Established: 1900
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NIRF Score: 75.11
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Type: Private (Christian minority)
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Highlights:
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A prestigious private medical college with a strong focus on service and community health.
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Admission through NEET UG (for MBBS).
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Known for top-quality clinical training and rural health outreach.
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Strong alumni network and research reputation.
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4. National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru
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Rank: 4
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Location: Bengaluru, Karnataka
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Established: 1974 (as NIMHANS), institute's roots go back to 1925
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NIRF Score: 71.92
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Type: Deemed University (Government)
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Highlights:
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Premier institute for mental health, neurosciences, and psychology in India.
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Offers MBBS, MD Psychiatry, DM Neurology, M.Phil. in Clinical Psychology, and more.
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Autonomous status under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
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Highly respected for specialized mental healthcare and neuro research.
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5. Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER), Puducherry
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Rank: 5
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Location: Puducherry
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Established: 1956
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NIRF Score: 70.74
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Type: Government
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Highlights:
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Offers MBBS, MD/MS, DM/M.Ch., and Ph.D. programs.
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Admission through NEET UG for MBBS and INI-CET for PG courses.
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Known for its excellent academic environment, clinical exposure, and research facilities.
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JIPMER has campuses in Puducherry and Karaikal.
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State-Wise Top Medical Colleges in 2025
Delhi
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All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi – Rank 1
India’s top-ranked medical college, offering excellent education and healthcare.
Chandigarh
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Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh – Rank 2
Known for postgraduate and super-specialty courses.
Tamil Nadu
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Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore – Rank 3
Renowned private medical college with strong clinical training. -
Madras Medical College, Chennai – Rank 10
Premier government medical college in Tamil Nadu.
Karnataka
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National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru – Rank 4
Leading institute for mental health and neurology. -
St. John’s Medical College, Bengaluru – Top private medical institution.
Puducherry
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Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER), Puducherry – Rank 5
Offers top MBBS and postgraduate programs.
Uttar Pradesh
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Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS), Lucknow – Rank 6
Specializing in postgraduate and super-specialty care. -
Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University (IMS-BHU), Varanasi – Rank 7
Kerala
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Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi – Ranked among Top 10
A private deemed university with strong research and clinical exposure.
Andhra Pradesh
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Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences (SVIMS), Tirupati – Among top government institutes in the state.
Maharashtra
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Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune – Highly reputed (not ranked in NIRF due to MoD affiliation but elite status remains).
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Grant Medical College, Mumbai – Top government college in Maharashtra.
West Bengal
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Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education and Research (IPGMER), Kolkata – Leading government medical institution.
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Medical College, Kolkata – One of the oldest and reputed colleges in India.
Government vs Private Medical Colleges: Who Leads in 2025?
In the 2025 NIRF rankings, government medical colleges continue to dominate the top positions. AIIMS Delhi, PGIMER Chandigarh, JIPMER Puducherry, and SGPGIMS Lucknow consistently hold their spots in the top 10, thanks to their quality of education, low fees, and vast clinical exposure.
Private institutions like Christian Medical College (CMC) Vellore, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, and Kasturba Medical College (KMC) Manipal also make it to the top 10, highlighting that private colleges with strong academic roots and infrastructure are gaining ground.
Summary:
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Top 5: Mostly government.
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Top 10: Mix of reputed government and private institutions.
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Edge: Government colleges lead in affordability and research; private colleges offer top-notch facilities and modern pedagogy.
Changes from Last Year’s Rankings
Compared to the 2024 NIRF rankings, the 2025 list shows stability in the top five positions. However, there are a few noticeable shifts:
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CMC Vellore climbed to rank 3, reflecting improvements in outreach and academic excellence.
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Madras Medical College re-entered the top 10.
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Some regional institutions saw slight improvements due to better research output and student feedback.
These shifts indicate increasing competitiveness and improvements in quality across both central and state-run institutes.
How to Use NIRF Rankings for College Selection
NIRF rankings are a helpful tool for aspirants, but they should be used along with other factors when selecting a medical college. Here's how:
✅ Check Subject-Specific Rank – Always refer to the "Medical" category, not overall rank.
✅ Evaluate Location & Language – Consider the state, local language, and your adaptability.
✅ Compare Fees – Government colleges are much more affordable.
✅ Assess Infrastructure – Look for hospitals with high patient flow and teaching facilities.
✅ Explore Opportunities – Research, internships, and post-graduation prospects matter.
Tip: Use NIRF rankings as a filter, not the only decision-maker.
Conclusion: Key Takeaways for Medical Aspirants
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AIIMS Delhi remains India’s top medical college, setting the benchmark in healthcare education.
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Government colleges lead, but private colleges like CMC Vellore are not far behind.
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Use NIRF rankings smartly, along with personal goals, fees, and location preferences.
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Medical education in India is improving across states, offering more quality choices than ever before.
If you’re preparing for NEET UG, now is the time to analyze your rank and shortlist colleges based on this data. Stay informed, plan wisely, and aim high!