Why Government Colleges Are Preferred by MBBS Students
The data from the National Medical Commission reveals that when it comes to selecting a medical college, high-performing students in the entrance test overwhelmingly opt for government colleges, particularly the older, established ones with lower annual fees.
Based on an analysis of over 1 lakh MBBS admissions across India in 2023-24, Delhi emerges as a top choice due to its renowned medical colleges and absence of post-MBBS bonds. Maulana Azad Medical College in Delhi ranks first with the highest median rank of 1,112, followed by Banaras Hindu University’s Institute of Medical Sciences and Vardhman Mahavir Medical College in Delhi.
In Kerala, where government college fees range from Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 annually and there’s no bonded service after MBBS, government colleges also rank high with a median rank of 12,592. Even private medical colleges in Kerala have relatively high median ranks due to lower average fees.
Affordability significantly influences students’ choices, as evidenced by the high median ranks of colleges with lower tuition fees, such as CMC Vellore and Maharaja Agrasen Medical College. Conversely, colleges with high fees, like those in Rajasthan and Puducherry, have lower median ranks despite their quality.
While fees play a role, other factors also impact choice. For example, Assam’s government colleges have low tuition fees but are perceived as distant, and the high penalty for not completing rural service after graduation deters top-ranked students. Similarly, government colleges in the North-East face challenges despite their affordability.
In conclusion, factors such as fees, location, and post-graduation obligations influence students’ preferences for government colleges in MBBS admissions.
