Over 800 MBBS Seats Remain Vacant Post NEET-UG Counseling: A Cause for Concern

The recent NEET-UG counseling process has left over 800 MBBS seats vacant, primarily due to high tuition fees at deemed universities in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. This situation raises concerns about accessibility and the merit-based nature of the admissions process. Many high-achieving students are deterred by the costs, while those with lower scores often fill the seats, leading to a significant number of unoccupied spots. As candidates await news on a potential special counseling round to address these vacancies, the implications for medical education in India remain a pressing issue.

By Ambika Singh Oct 24, 2026, 09:23 IST

Significant Number of Unfilled MBBS Seats

Despite the completion of the NEET-UG counseling process, a staggering 837 MBBS seats are still unoccupied. This situation has raised alarms, especially since it persists even after the stray vacancy round.

Details on Vacant Seats

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has reported that the majority of these vacant seats are located in deemed medical universities in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Specifically, 824 of the 837 unfilled seats are in these regions, highlighting a significant issue in medical education accessibility.

The breakdown of vacant seats includes:

188 at Sri Sathya Sai Medical College and Research Institute, Chennai

117 at Meenakshi Medical College and Research Institute, Kanchipuram

92 at Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Puducherry

82 at Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Chennai

12 at Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute

1 at AIIMS Madurai

Tuition Fees: A Major Barrier

Experts attribute the high vacancy rates to the steep tuition fees charged by deemed universities. Unlike government and standard private medical colleges, deemed universities do not have regulated fee structures, leading to exorbitant costs.

Annual tuition fees can range from ₹21 lakh to ₹35 lakh, and when factoring in additional expenses such as hostel and mess fees, the total annual cost can escalate to between ₹21 lakh and ₹30 lakh. Over the course of the four-and-a-half-year MBBS program, students may end up spending between ₹94.5 lakh and ₹1.57 crore, compared to an average of ₹17 lakh at private colleges in other states.

Financial Constraints Impacting Student Choices

The high costs associated with deemed universities have sparked discussions about the NEET process. Many high-achieving students tend to avoid these expensive institutions due to financial limitations, while those with lower scores but sufficient funds often fill these seats, leaving many unoccupied. This trend raises concerns about the meritocratic nature of the examination.

Future of Vacant Seats: Special Counseling Round?

Candidates who participated in the final counseling round are now eager to know if a special counseling session will be arranged to address the vacant seats. Reports suggest that such a round would require approval from both the central government and the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC).