Bihar has approximately 24 medical colleges with around 2,582 MBBS seats filled through NEET-based counselling (UGMAC 2025 seat matrix). BCECEB, Patna conducts state counselling for all these colleges.
Government vs private split
| Type | Colleges | Approximate seats |
|---|---|---|
| Government | 18 | ~1,232 |
| Private | 6 | ~1,350 |
| Total | 24 | ~2,582 |
AIIMS Patna (125 seats) operates under central government counselling and does not participate in UGMAC. It is not included in these figures. Candidates interested in AIIMS Patna must apply separately through the AIIMS national counselling process.
Government colleges in Bihar for NEET
| College | City | Seats (approx) |
|---|---|---|
| Patna Medical College & Hospital | Patna | 165 |
| Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) | Patna | 128 |
| Nalanda Medical College & Hospital | Patna | 124 |
| Shri Krishna Medical College & Hospital | Muzaffarpur | 98 |
| Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College & Hospital | Bhagalpur | 98 |
| Anugrah Narayan Magadh Medical College & Hospital | Gaya | 98 |
| Darbhanga Medical College & Hospital | Darbhanga | 97 |
| Government Medical College, Bettiah | Bettiah | ~85 |
| Government Medical College, Purnea | Purnea | ~85 |
| Narayan Medical College & Hospital | Sasaram | ~50 |
| Bihar Mahavir Institute of Medical Sciences | Pawapuri | ~50 |
| Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College & LSK Hospital | Kishanganj | ~50 |
| Jannayak Karpoori Thakur Medical College & Hospital | Madhepura | ~50 |
| RDJM Medical College & Hospital, Turki | Muzaffarpur | ~50 |
| Madhubani Medical College | Madhubani | ~50 |
| Netaji Subhas Medical College & Hospital | Bihta | ~50 |
| ESIC Medical College & Hospital, Bihta | Patna | ~50 |
| Government Institute of Medical Science, Koyla Belwa | East Champaran | New |
Patna Medical College, established in 1925, is the oldest and largest medical college in the state. Three government colleges are in Patna itself (PMC, NMCH, IGIMS), making it the primary hub for government medical education in Bihar.
The state has expanded rapidly in recent years. Many of the newer government colleges (Madhepura, Madhubani, Pawapuri, Bihta) have approximately 50 seats each. Government Institute of Medical Science, Koyla Belwa (East Champaran) appeared in 2025 Round 3 data as a newly added institution.
RDJM Medical College (Turki, Muzaffarpur) is classified as a government college in BCECEB allotment data. However, at least one fee-structure source lists it under private colleges with Rs 23.71 lakh tuition. Candidates should verify its current classification and fee structure from the official UGMAC seat matrix before counselling.
Narayan Medical College & Hospital (Sasaram) is similarly classified as a government college in allotment data, but the same fee-structure sources list management quota fees of Rs 12.25 lakh for this institution. Candidates should verify its status from the official seat matrix.
Private colleges
| College | City |
|---|---|
| Katihar Medical College | Katihar |
| Shri Narayan Medical Institute & Hospital | Saharsa |
| Lord Buddha Koshi Medical College & Hospital | Saharsa |
| Himalaya Medical College & Hospital, Paliganj | Patna |
| Mahabodhi Medical College & Hospital, Sherghati | Gaya |
| Shyamlal Chandrashekhar Medical College | Khagaria |
Bihar’s private medical colleges are spread across smaller cities rather than concentrated in Patna. Saharsa has two private colleges, and Gaya has one. The private college count is relatively small (6) compared to the 18 government institutions.
Key cities
- Patna: 4 colleges (PMC, NMCH, IGIMS, Himalaya MC) plus AIIMS Patna under central counselling
- Muzaffarpur: 2 colleges (Shri Krishna MC, RDJM MC)
- Gaya: 2 colleges (Anugrah Narayan Magadh MC, Mahabodhi MC)
- Saharsa: 2 colleges (Shri Narayan MI, Lord Buddha Koshi MC)
- Darbhanga, Bhagalpur, Bettiah, Purnea, Sasaram, Pawapuri, Kishanganj, Madhepura, Madhubani, Bihta, Katihar, Khagaria, East Champaran: 1 college each
Bihar’s medical colleges are distributed across the state rather than clustered in one or two cities, though Patna remains the centre with the highest concentration.
Fee structure summary
| College type | Quota | Annual fee (approx)* | Total ~5.5-year cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government | State quota | ~Rs 9,000/year | ~Rs 1.27 lakh |
| Private | 50% govt-regulated quota | ~Rs 9,000/year | ~Rs 1.27 lakh |
| Private | Management quota | Rs 12.25-23.7 lakh/year | Rs 67-130 lakh |
| Private | NRI quota | $25,000-35,000 USD/year | $137,500-192,500 USD |
*First-year government/govt-regulated quota costs are higher (~Rs 40,800) because of one-time admission charges, caution money, and hostel deposits. Subsequent years drop to ~Rs 22,700 annually. The Rs 1.27 lakh total reflects this variation across all 5.5 years, not simply Rs 9,000 multiplied by 5.5. Hostel and mess charges are separate (Rs 1.5-3 lakh per year depending on the college).
The 50% government-regulated quota in private colleges is what makes Bihar stand out. Half the seats in every private medical college carry the same tuition as government colleges (Rs 9,000/year). For a student who secures one of these seats, the total 5.5-year MBBS cost is approximately Rs 1.27 lakh in tuition, making it one of the most affordable MBBS pathways in India.
Management quota fees vary widely across private colleges. Katihar Medical College charges around Rs 12.55 lakh per year. RDJM Medical College, if classified as private, may charge up to Rs 23.71 lakh per year (see the classification note above). NRI fees range from $25,000 to $35,000 USD per year.
Additional costs to budget
- Hostel: Rs 1.5-3 lakh/year (varies by college)
- Mess charges: Included in hostel or separate; varies
- Books and equipment: Rs 20,000-50,000/year
- Counselling registration: Rs 1,200 (General/EWS/BC/EBC) or Rs 600 (SC/ST/PwD)