Maharashtra Adds Six New Medical Colleges, Expands MBBS Capacity by 2,650 Seats

Mumbai, October 17, 2025 – In a major push to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and address the growing demand for medical professionals, especially in rural areas, Maharashtra is all set to six new medical colleges, pending approval from the NMC. 

This will inject around 2,650 fresh MBBS seats into the state’s education ecosystem. 

The move is expected to benefit thousands of NEET UG aspirants, especially from rural and underserved districts, by offering more affordable government and private options amid rising competition – over 24 lakh students appeared for NEET 2025.

The new colleges, a mix of government and private entities, focus on bridging regional disparities in medical access. 

Key approvals include expansions at established deemed universities like Bharati Vidyapeeth (Pune and Sangli) and Datta Meghe Institute (Wardha), alongside fresh setups such as ESIC Medical College in Andheri, Mumbai. 

These institutions will adhere to NMC’s stringent Minimum Standard Requirements (MSR), including faculty ratios and infrastructure upgrades, with inspections slated before the next counseling round. Maharashtra’s Medical Education Department has allocated ₹403 crore per new government college for development, ensuring quick operational rollout. 

This isn’t Maharashtra’s first big leap – earlier in 2024, eight government colleges (e.g., in Gadchiroli and Amravati) added 800 seats, taking the government’s tally to 4,850 across 35 districts. The 2025 additions build on that, with deemed universities contributing 550 seats alone through hikes at MGM Aurangabad and others. Experts hail it as a “strategic fillip” for the state’s $5-trillion economy goals, projecting a 15-20% rise in doctor supply for rural health centers by 2030, per FICCI estimates.

Admission Roadmap: NEET Scores, Counseling, and Cutoffs

Aspiring doctors take note: Admissions hinge on NEET UG 2025 scores, with Maharashtra’s State Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell overseeing the Centralized Admission Process (CAP). Round 3 choice-filling has been extended to October 13 due to the matrix revisions, and fresh seats will feed into Round 4 starting late October. Eligibility remains standard: 50% in Class 12 (PCB), NEET qualification, and Maharashtra domicile for state quota (85% seats). Expected cutoffs for new government seats hover at 550-600 marks (general category), lower than elite Mumbai colleges (650+), based on 2024 trends. Fees? Government seats: ₹1-1.5 lakh/year; private/deemed: ₹15-25 lakh/year, with scholarships for EWS/SC/ST via state schemes.

New perks include a mandated one-year rural CSR service post-MBBS under Maharashtra’s updated policy, boosting employability in public health. These seats could drop cutoffs by 10-15% in peripheral districts, aiding Tier-2 city students. 

Key Highlights: New Colleges and Seats at a Glance