If you’re looking to study medicine in India, you’ll be pleased to know there are many excellent universities. India has a long tradition of medical education, with some of the top medical colleges over 100 years old. In this blog post, we’ll count down the top 10 universities in India that are devoted to studying medicine.
1. All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi
AIIMS New Delhi is consistently ranked as the top medical university in India. Established in 1956, it is one of South Asia’s oldest and most prestigious medical education institutes. AIIMS is an autonomous university funded by the government of India. The entrance exam for AIIMS is one of the toughest in the country, with only 0.1% of applicants gaining admission. The acceptance rate for AIIMS New Delhi is even lower than Harvard or Stanford!
At AIIMS, the focus is on hands-on training in hospitals and community healthcare settings. Students are exposed to clinical training from the 2nd year onwards in AIIMS’ extensive network of hospitals and rural clinics. The faculty at AIIMS includes the top medical experts in India and many pioneers in their respective domains. Alumni from AIIMS New Delhi hold key positions in medical research and healthcare worldwide.
2. Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore
The Christian Medical College, Vellore or CMC Vellore, was founded in 1900 by an American missionary surgeon, Dr. Ida Scudder. It is one of the oldest medical colleges in India and is globally renowned for its medical education and research. CMC Vellore pioneered several medical firsts in India, such as the country’s first reconstructive surgery and kidney transplant.
CMC has state-of-the-art facilities and excellent infrastructure. It is India’s top medical school for research, and students are encouraged to engage in projects. CMC alumni have made their mark across the world in cutting-edge medical domains. The CMC entrance exam is highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of just 1-2%.
3. Christian Medical College (CMC), Ludhiana
The Christian Medical College, Ludhiana, is a leading medical institute in North India. Established in 1894, it is one of India’s oldest private medical colleges. CMC Ludhiana has a sprawling green campus spread over 125 acres. Apart from its MBBS program, CMC Ludhiana offers postgraduate and diploma programs in many medical and surgical disciplines.
CMC Ludhiana has a modern infrastructure that includes advanced ICUs, modular operation theatres, and diagnostics labs. Students who strongly focus on community healthcare get practical training through urban and rural outreach programs. CMC Ludhiana excels in medical research, having regular international collaborations and funding from bodies like WHO and NIH.
4. Armed Forces Medical College, Pune
The Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune, is a premier medical institute run by the Indian armed forces. Established in 1948, it is a unique medical college that provides its students with world-class education and military training.
AFMC Pune has an excellent infrastructure spread over 325 acres and five associated hospitals. The extensive clinical exposure at these hospitals makes AFMC graduates some of the finest doctors in India. AFMC is funded by the Ministry of Defense, so students receive a handsome monthly stipend and free tuition. After completing the course, graduates work as medical officers in the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force.
5. St. John’s Medical College, Bangalore
St. John’s Medical College in Bangalore was established in 1963 by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India. It is one of the most prestigious and recognized medical colleges in India. The sprawling green campus, excellent teachers, and modern infrastructure make St. John’s Medical College a leading destination for medical education.
The extensive clinical training program across associated hospitals is the highlight at St. John’s. Students interact with patients in outpatient, inpatient, and community healthcare settings from the first year. St. John’s is also a pioneer in medical education trends in India, such as PBL (problem-based learning) and integrated teaching.
6. King George’s Medical University, Lucknow
King George’s Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow, has a long and illustrious history. Established as a medical college in 1911, KGMU is now a full-fledged university specializing in healthcare education and research. It is consistently ranked among the top 5 medical colleges in India.
Spread over 154 acres, KGMU has excellent infrastructure, including a 1,700-bed super-speciality hospital. It offers high-quality medical education at an affordable cost. KGMU Lucknow is globally recognized for its specialized cardiology, nephrology, gastroenterology, and liver transplant centres. It has played a pioneering role in developing new teaching methodologies in medicine.
7. Madras Medical College, Chennai
Madras Medical College (MMC) in Chennai is among the oldest medical colleges in India. It was established 1835 during British rule, making it over 185 years old! MMC is attached to the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, which has over 3000 beds, making it one of the largest hospitals in India.
Students at MMC get extensive hands-on training in diagnosing and treating a wide spectrum of illnesses and injuries. The vast patient pool provides great learning opportunities for developing clinical acumen. MMC has played a leading role in medical advances in India, including the country’s first successful open heart surgery in the 1950s.
8. Grant Medical College, Mumbai
Grant Medical College (GMC) Mumbai was founded in 1845 during the British era. It is one of the premier medical colleges in Maharashtra state. GMC Mumbai is attached to the historic Sir J.J. Group of Hospitals, which includes St. George Hospital, Cama Hospital, and G.T Hospital.
The hospital facility at Grant Medical College is excellent, with over 1800 beds. The wide patient pool and experienced doctors provide great clinical learning for students. GMC Mumbai has close links with reputed scientific institutions like ICMR and CSIR. It also has an eminent list of alumni who have done pioneering medical work.
9. Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in Varanasi established its Institute of Medical Sciences in 1960. It is one of the leading government medical colleges in North India. Spread over 138 acres, the campus includes the Heritage Hospital and the Trauma Center, which have advanced healthcare infrastructure.
The Institute of Medical Sciences, BHU, provides rigorous medical training to its students. Hands-on learning in outpatient departments and operation theatres begins from 2nd year onwards. BHU has an eminent faculty involved in quality research work and medical innovation. Studying at BHU Varanasi gives exposure to treating diseases prevalent in rural India.
10. Amrita School of Medicine, Kochi
Amrita School of Medicine, based in Kochi, Kerala, is one of the top private medical colleges in South India. Established in 2002, it has grown rapidly in reputation by aligning with Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS), a 1,200-bed super-specialty hospital.
Amrita School of Medicine offers state-of-the-art medical education facilities, including smart classrooms, simulation labs, and virtual dissection tables. The integrated curriculum blends basic sciences with clinical exposure from the first year. Amrita is among the few colleges in India that evaluate students based on competencies rather than marks.
This concludes our list of the top 10 medical colleges in India. When choosing an institute, look at factors like quality of faculty, hospital infrastructure for practical training, range of specializations offered, research facilities, and campus culture. I hope this article helps you shortlist options and make an informed choice if you plan to study medicine in India. Let me know in the comments if you want to know more about any of the institutes mentioned above. And don’t forget to keep visiting www.workliveincanada.com for more tips on studying abroad!
