Medical colleges in Karnataka: 74 colleges, 14,094 seats across government, private, and deemed

74 medical colleges across 31 cities, with government seats at Rs 50,000 per year

The 74 medical colleges in Karnataka span 24 government, 38 private, and 12 deemed universities, with a combined MBBS intake of 14,094 seats. Unlike many states where government colleges dominate, Karnataka’s private sector is larger (38 colleges, 7,045 seats) than the government sector (24 colleges, 4,249 seats), creating a two-track system where fee considerations heavily influence preference ordering. This guide ranks the top medical colleges in Karnataka by NEET 2026 cutoff competitiveness, using 2023-2025 historical data.

This guide maps all 74 Karnataka medical colleges. For individual college cutoffs, use the Karnataka cutoff analyzer. For the complete college list with details, see the Karnataka college directory.

Government medical colleges: 24 colleges, 4,249 seats

Karnataka’s 24 government medical colleges charge a uniform Rs 50,000 per year. Over five years, total tuition is approximately Rs 2.5 lakh, among the lowest government medical college fees in India.

The top tier (AIR under 15,000)

Four government colleges consistently close at AIRs below 15,000 for the GM (General Merit) category:

• Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI), Bengaluru: AIR 3,025 (2025 R2). The state’s most competitive medical college, affiliated with Victoria Hospital and Bowring Hospital. 250 seats.
• Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical College, Bengaluru: AIR 7,669 (2025 R2). A newer government college in the state capital. The Bengaluru location drives demand.
• Mysore Medical College, Mysuru: AIR 8,394 (2025 R2). One of the oldest medical colleges in South India, established in 1924. 250 seats.
• ESIC Medical College, Bengaluru: AIR 12,937 (2025 R2). Central government institution with ESIC Hospital affiliation.

The mid tier (AIR 13,000 to 40,000)

Twelve government colleges close in the AIR 13,000 to 40,000 range for GM category. These include established institutions in Karnataka’s secondary cities:

• Karnataka Medical College (KRIMS), Hubballi: AIR 13,488. The main government college in North Karnataka’s largest city.
• Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences, Mandya: AIR 15,588. Close to Mysuru and Bengaluru, making it geographically accessible.
• Shimoga Institute of Medical Sciences, Shivamogga: AIR 21,676.
• Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences, Hassan: AIR 21,862.
• Belagavi Institute of Medical Sciences, Belagavi: AIR 23,365. In the border district with significant clinical diversity.
• Gulbarga Institute of Medical Sciences, Kalaburagi: AIR 23,671. In the Hyderabad-Karnataka region, which has its own reservation provisions.
• Vijaynagar Institute of Medical Sciences, Ballari: AIR 23,690.
• ESIC Medical College, Kalaburagi: AIR 28,962.

And continuing through Chamarajanagar (31,696), Gadag (32,257), Bidar (37,203), and Kodagu (38,075).

The accessible tier (AIR 38,000 to 55,000)

Eight newer government colleges close at AIRs between 38,000 and 55,000. These include colleges in Chikkaballapura (38,361), Koppal (38,538), Raichur (39,240), Karwar (41,651), Chikkamagaluru (45,629), Haveri (49,827), Yadgiri (52,598), and Chitradurga (55,005).

For candidates in the AIR 40,000 to 55,000 range, these colleges represent genuine government seat opportunities at Rs 50,000 per year. Many candidates in this range skip these colleges in favour of private colleges in Bengaluru, paying 20x to 50x more for a geographically preferred location. The financial case for listing these government colleges ahead of private options is compelling. See our Karnataka fees guide.

A candidate choosing a Bengaluru private college (Rs 15L/yr) over a government college in Haveri or Chitradurga (Rs 50K/yr) pays Rs 72.5 lakh more over five years. The MBBS degree is identical. List accessible-tier government colleges before any private option unless your family can absorb that difference without financial strain.

Private medical colleges: 38 colleges, 7,045 seats

Karnataka’s private medical college sector is large and concentrated in a few urban centres. Bengaluru alone has 14 private medical colleges. Mangaluru has 5. Kalaburagi, Davangere, and Tumakuru have 2 each. The remaining colleges are scattered across 15+ cities.

The most competitive private colleges

From our 2025 data (R2, GM category), the most competitive private college government quota seats:

• MS Ramaiah Medical College, Bengaluru: AIR 11,776. Consistently the most competitive private college in the state.
• JSS Medical College, Mysuru: competitive government quota cutoffs comparable to mid-tier government colleges.
• Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences, Bengaluru: strong Bengaluru location drives demand.

Top private college government quota cutoffs in Karnataka overlap with mid-tier government college cutoffs. A candidate with AIR 12,000 faces a choice between a government college in Mandya (Rs 50,000/year) and MS Ramaiah in Bengaluru (Rs 15+ lakh/year). The fee multiplier is 30x for a Bengaluru address.

Top private college cutoffs overlap with mid-tier government college cutoffs. Before choosing a private college for its city, check whether a government college at the same AIR level exists in another city. The fee difference over five years can exceed Rs 70 lakh.

Bengaluru’s private college density

With 14 private medical colleges, Bengaluru has the highest private medical college concentration in South India. GM government quota closing AIRs range from approximately 11,776 (MS Ramaiah) to 74,727 (East Point College). This means a candidate with AIR anywhere between 12,000 and 75,000 has a Bengaluru private college option available.

See our Bengaluru medical colleges guide for the complete Bengaluru breakdown.

Bengaluru’s 14 private colleges span AIR 12,000 to 75,000. If Bengaluru is your preferred city, use the cutoff analyzer to identify which private colleges are Safe, Target, and Reach for your specific AIR, then layer government colleges from other cities above them as lower-fee options.

Government quota vs management quota at private colleges

Private colleges in Karnataka allocate approximately 40% to 50% of seats as government quota (filled through KEA) and the remainder as management/institutional/NRI quota. Government quota fees range from Rs 8 lakh to Rs 25 lakh per year. Management quota fees range from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 45 lakh per year.

The same college can have dramatically different cutoffs for government quota vs management quota seats. Government quota requires a lower (better) AIR; management quota accepts higher (worse) AIRs but at significantly higher fees. If your AIR does not qualify for government quota at a preferred private college, the management quota pathway exists, but at 2x to 4x the fee.

Deemed universities: 12 colleges, 2,800 seats

Karnataka’s 12 deemed universities include some nationally recognised institutions:

• KMC Mangaluru (Manipal group): AIR 6,786 (2025 R2 GM). The most competitive deemed university seat in Karnataka. Government quota through KEA.
• KMC Manipal (Manipal group): Primarily fills through MCC deemed pool. Not typically in KEA government quota data.
• JSS Mysuru: Government quota seats through KEA with competitive cutoffs.
• St. Johns Medical College, Bengaluru: Primarily MCC/university admission.

Approximately 25% of deemed university seats are government quota (through KEA). The remainder go through MCC’s deemed university pool or the university’s own management/NRI admission process. If your target is a deemed university, check both KEA and MCC counselling tracks.

Deemed universities like KMC Manipal and St. Johns fill most seats through MCC, not KEA. If targeting these institutions, register for MCC’s deemed university counselling in addition to KEA. Government quota cutoffs through KEA are often more competitive than MCC cutoffs for the same college.

Nine deemed universities with no 2025 KEA data

Nine deemed universities in our database do not have 2025 Round 2 GM allotment data through KEA. These include St. Johns, Rajarajeswari, Sri Siddhartha, KMC Manipal, and others. These colleges likely fill their government quota through MCC or have separate counselling processes. If you are targeting these institutions, check MCC’s deemed university schedule rather than KEA.

Geographic distribution across 31 cities

Karnataka’s 74 colleges span 31 cities:

• Bengaluru: 20 colleges (3 government, 14 private, 3 deemed). By far the largest cluster.
• Mangaluru: 8 colleges (5 private, 3 deemed). A medical education hub in coastal Karnataka.
• Kalaburagi: 4 colleges (2 government, 2 private). The HK region centre.
• Mysuru, Hubballi, Belagavi, Davangere: 2 to 3 colleges each.
• Remaining 24 cities: 1 college each, mostly government.

The state’s geographic spread means government colleges exist in both metro areas (Bengaluru: 3 government colleges) and remote districts (Yadgiri, Koppal, Chitradurga). For candidates willing to study outside Bengaluru, the accessible-tier government colleges offer extraordinary value: Rs 50,000/year in a location where living costs are also low.

The suffix system and its impact on competitiveness

Karnataka’s category system uses suffixes (G, K, R, H, KH, RH) that create separate cutoff tracks at each college. A college with a GM closing AIR of 23,000 might have a 2AH (2A + Hyderabad-Karnataka) closing AIR of 45,000 at the same institution. Candidates with suffix eligibility have access to less competitive cutoff tracks at every college on their list.

When evaluating colleges, check cutoffs for all suffix variants you qualify for. The cutoff analyzer lets you filter by each category code independently. See our Karnataka categories guide for suffix details.

Open the cutoff analyzer, select your category code including suffix (e.g., 2AH, 3BK, GMR), and check closing AIRs across all 74 colleges. Suffix-eligible candidates often qualify for colleges that appear out of reach under GM cutoffs alone.

FAQ

How many medical colleges are in Karnataka?

74 colleges: 24 government (4,249 seats), 38 private (7,045 seats), 12 deemed universities (2,800 seats). Total: 14,094 MBBS seats.

Which is the most competitive medical college in Karnataka?

Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI) is the most competitive government college (AIR 3,025 for GM, 2025 R2). KMC Mangaluru is the most competitive deemed university (AIR 6,786). MS Ramaiah is the most competitive private college (AIR 11,776).

Are all 24 government colleges in the KEA counselling?

All 24 participate in KEA state quota counselling. ESIC colleges (Bengaluru and Kalaburagi) operate under central government but are included in KEA counselling for state quota seats. AIIMS-type central institutions, if any, have separate processes.

Can out-of-state candidates get government college seats in Karnataka?

Karnataka is an “open state” for NEET counselling, meaning candidates from any Indian state can participate in KEA counselling. However, state quota government college seats are restricted to Karnataka domicile candidates. Out-of-state candidates are eligible for private college management/NRI/institutional quota seats only.

Which college has the lowest fees for MBBS in Karnataka?

All 24 government medical colleges in Karnataka charge the same fee: approximately Rs 50,000 per year. Over five years, total government college tuition is roughly Rs 2.5 lakh. This is uniform across all government institutions, from Bangalore Medical College to the government college in Yadgiri. The cheapest route to an MBBS in Karnataka is any government college seat through KEA state quota counselling. See our Karnataka fees guide for the full breakdown.