Karnataka NEET PG 2025-26 offers 6386 MD/MS postgraduate medical seats across 65 government and private medical colleges, making it one of India’s largest state-level PG medical admission systems. With trending specializations like Radiology, Dermatology, Medicine, Ophthalmology, Orthopaedics, Paedia, Emergency Medicine, and Anaesthesia witnessing cutoffs exceeding 50,000 rank, Karnataka provides diverse opportunities through Government (1734 seats) and private + deemed medical colleges (4652 seats), and All-India Quota. The KEA (Karnataka Examinations Authority) counselling for NEET PG 2025-26 offers transparent admission with merit-based allocation, competitive fee structures (₹50,000-₹1 crore), and specialized departments across Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore, and other cities.
Quick Summary
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Total MD/MS Seats in Karnataka | 6,386+ seats |
| Government Medical Colleges | 25 colleges 1,734 seats |
| Private Medical Colleges | 40 colleges, 4,652 seats |
| Counseling Authority | KEA (Karnataka Examinations Authority) |
| Entrance Exam | NEET PG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test – Postgraduate) |
| NEET PG 2025 Exam Date | 3rd August 2025 |
| Karnataka Counselling Rounds | 3-4 rounds (Nov 2025-Jan 2026) |
| Most Competitive Specialties | Radiology, Dermatology, Ophthalmology, Orthopedics, Emergency Medicine |
| Least Competitive Specialties | Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Forensic Medicine |
| Government Seat Fee | ₹50,000-3 lakhs per year |
| Private Management Quota Fee | ₹15 lakhs-1 crore (total program) |
| NRI Quota Fee | $40,000-1,10,000 |
| Expected Open Category Cutoff Range | Clinical: 20,000-50,000 rank; Non-clinical: 60,000-1,50,000 rank |
| Reservation Policy | Karnataka domicile: 50% seats; All-India: 50% seats |
Karnataka NEET PG Seat Matrix for MD MS
Karnataka’s MD/MS seat distribution spans government colleges, private institutions, and various quota categories, both Karnataka domicile and all-India candidates:
Seat Distribution by Type
| Type of Seat | Number of Seats | Percentage | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government Medical Colleges | 1,600 | 25% | State-run medical colleges including BMCRI Bangalore, KIMS Hubli, MMC Mysore |
| Private Medical Colleges – Government Quota | 1,200 | 18% | 50% of private college seats under government quota with regulated fees |
| Private Medical Colleges – Management Quota | 1,800 | 32% | 35% of private college seats under management quota |
| NRI/NRI-Sponsored Quota | 1,200 | 18% | 15% seats reserved for NRI/OCI/PIO candidates |
| All-India Quota (Government Colleges) | 286 | 4% | 15% of government college seats under AIQ |
| Institutional Preference/Other Quotas | 300 | 5% | Children of serving armed forces, freedom fighters, etc. |
| TOTAL MD/MS SEATS | 6,386 | 100% | Subject to annual variation by MCI/NMC recognition |
Seat Distribution by Department Category
| Department Category | Approximate Seats | Popular Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Branches (MD) | 2,800 | General Medicine, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Dermatology, Radio-diagnosis, Anaesthesiology, Emergency Medicine |
| Surgical Branches (MS) | 2,000 | General Surgery, Orthopedics, Ophthalmology, ENT, Obstetrics & Gynecology |
| Non-Clinical Branches (MD) | 1,586 | Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Pathology, Forensic Medicine, Community Medicine |
Top Medical Colleges with MD/MS Seat Count in Karnataka
| Government College | Location | Approximate MD/MS Seats | Established |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI) | Bangalore | 286 | 1955 |
| Mysore Medical College and Research Institute (MMCRI) | Mysore | 153 | 1924 |
| Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) | Hubli | 181 | 1957 |
| Kasturba Medical College (KMC) – Manipal | Manipal | 222 | 1953 |
| St. John’s Medical College | Bangalore | 131 | 1963 |
| Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) | Bangalore | 187 | 1980 |
| Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences | Hassan | 61 | 1979 |
| Shimoga Institute of Medical Sciences | Shimoga | 91 | 1985 |
| Belgaum Institute of Medical Sciences | Belgaum | 68 | 1963 |
| Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences | Mandya | 90 | 1979 |
Note: Seat numbers vary annually based on NMC (National Medical Commission) recognition and college infrastructure.
Karnataka NEET PG Eligibility Criteria for MD MS
The Karnataka NEET PG 2025-26 eligibility criteria differ based on seat categories. While Karnataka domicile students get preference in GMP seats, candidates from other states can apply under OPN and other quotas. NRI and private university seats remain open for all eligible aspirants.
| Type of Seat | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
| Government Quota (State) | • MBBS degree from MCI/NMC recognized college • Completed internship before counselling • Karnataka domicile certificate (mandatory for 85% state quota seats) • Minimum 50% marks in MBBS (40% for SC/ST/OBC) • Valid NEET PG 2025 scorecard • Permanent registration with Karnataka Medical Council or eligible for registration |
| All-India Quota (Government Colleges) | • MBBS from MCI/NMC recognized college • Completed/completing internship by August, 2025 • Valid NEET PG 2025 score • Open to all Indian nationals (no domicile restriction) • Minimum 50% marks in MBBS (40% for SC/ST/OBC) • Permanent/provisional registration with any State Medical Council |
| Private Medical Colleges – Government Quota | • Same as Government Quota (State) • Karnataka domicile mandatory • Lower fee structure than management quota • Merit-based allocation through KEA counselling |
| Management Quota | • MBBS from MCI/NMC recognized college • Completed internship (flexible timeline) • Valid NEET PG 2025 score (cutoff flexible, often lower) • No domicile restriction – open to all states • Financial capability to pay higher fees • College admission process after KEA rounds |
| NRI/NRI-Sponsored Quota | • MBBS from MCI/NMC recognized college (Indian or foreign) • NRI/OCI/PIO status of candidate or sponsor • Valid passport • Sponsor relationship proof (parent/legal guardian) • Sponsor’s income proof and foreign residence evidence • Educational qualification equivalence (if foreign MBBS) • NEET PG score (some colleges waive for NRI quota) • Payment in foreign currency |
| Armed Forces/Defense Quota | • Children of serving/retired armed forces personnel • NOC from respective service headquarters • Service certificate of the parent • Otherwise, standard eligibility criteria |
Karnataka NEET PG Fee Structure for MD MS 2025-26
The NEET PG 2025-26 fee structure varies significantly across seat categories. Government seats remain highly affordable, while private and NRI quota seats carry much higher fees. Candidates should carefully review the fee range for each category before making admission decisions.
| Type of Seat | Fee Structure | Payment Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| Government Medical Colleges | ₹50,000-3,00,000 per year • Clinical branches (MD): ₹1,50,000-3,00,000/year • Surgical branches (MS): ₹1,50,000-3,00,000/year • Non-clinical (MD): ₹50,000-1,50,000/year • Total 3-year program: ₹1.5-9 lakhs • Includes tuition, exam fees, and library • Hostel: ₹20,000-50,000/year (separate) | Annual payment at year start |
| Private Colleges – Government Quota | ₹3-11 lakhs per year • Fee regulated by Karnataka government • 50% of private college seats at controlled fees • Clinical: ₹5-11 lakhs/year • Non-clinical: ₹3-5 lakhs/year • Total 3-year program: ₹9-33 lakhs • Lower than management quota | Annual or semester-wise |
| Private Colleges – Management Quota | ₹15-35 lakhs per year • Fees determined by college management • Highly competitive specialties (Radio-diagnosis, Dermatology, Orthopedics): ₹25-35 lakhs/year • Moderately competitive (General Medicine, Pediatrics, Anaesthesia): ₹18-28 lakhs/year • Less competitive (Pathology, Microbiology, Community Medicine): ₹15-20 lakhs/year • Total 3-year program: ₹45 lakhs-1.05 crores • Additional charges: Development fee, caution deposit | One-time or annual (varies by college) |
| NRI/NRI-Sponsored Quota | $40,000-1,10,000 MD MS program • Equivalent: ₹36-99 lakhs (at $1 = ₹89.83) • Payment in foreign currency (USD preferred) • Popular specialties: $70,000-1,10,000 • Other specialties: $40,000-70,000 • Includes tuition, exam fees • Hostel separate: $2,000-5,000/year | Annual or program lump sum |
| Deemed Universities | ₹20-60 lakhs per year • Premium institutions like Manipal, JSS • Autonomous fee structure • ₹20-60 lakhs • World-class infrastructure and research facilities | Annual payment |
Note: Fees subject to annual revision. Always verify with college admission office.
Department-wise Open Category Karnataka NEET PG Cutoff for MD MS 2024
The NEET PG 2024 open category branch-wise cutoffs clearly highlight the level of competition among medical specialties. High-demand branches such as Radiology, Dermatology and General Medicine closed at very low ranks reflecting intense competition. Moderately preferred specialties including Paediatrics, Pulmonary Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynaecology, recorded balanced cutoff trends. In contrast, lower-competition branches like Ophthalmology, ENT, Psychiatry, Anaesthesia and Pathology had comparatively higher closing ranks, indicating wider availability of seats.
| Department | NEET PG Open Cutoff 2024 | Competitiveness |
|---|---|---|
| Radio-diagnosis (MD) | 11258 | Very High |
| Dermatology (MD) | 13183 | Very High |
| Ophthalmology (MS) | 44941 | Very High |
| Orthopedics (MS) | 37782 | Very High |
| Emergency Medicine (MD) | 29174 | High |
| Anaesthesiology (MD) | 48217 | High |
| General Medicine (MD) | 15206 | High |
| General Surgery (MS) | 36409 | High |
| Obstetrics & Gynecology (MS) | 33222 | High |
| ENT (MS) | 48681 | High |
| Pediatrics (MD) | 23289 | Moderate-High |
| Psychiatry (MD) | 52604 | Moderate |
| Respiratory Medicine (MD) | 54,432 | Moderate |
| Pathology (MD) | 91329 | Moderate |
| Pharmacology (MD) | 60,000-95,000 | Moderate-Low |
| Community Medicine (MD) | 60,000-1,00,000 | Low |
| Microbiology (MD) | 55,000-95,000 | Low |
| Forensic Medicine (MD) | 70,000-1,20,000 | Low |
| Anatomy (MD) | 65,000-1,15,000 | Low |
| Physiology (MD) | 68,000-1,18,000 | Low |
| Biochemistry (MD) | 75,000-1,25,000 | Low |
Karnataka NEET PG Expected Open Category Cutoff 2025 for MD MS
Based on the official provisional Round 1 seat allotment list released by KEA on November 28, 2025, the following are the closing cutoff ranks (highest All India Rank allotted) for major MD/MS branches in the open category (GM). These represent the last seat allotted for each branch across all participating colleges. Note: Cutoffs can vary slightly in subsequent rounds due to upgrades and vacancies; always verify with the official KEA website for your specific choice.
| Department | Round 1 Cutoff Rank (GM) |
|---|---|
| Dermatology | 27307 |
| General Medicine | 27342 |
| Paediatrics | 25177 |
| Pulmonary Medicine | 19819 |
| OBG (Obstetrics & Gynaecology) | 27244 |
| Orthopaedics | 27356 |
| General Surgery | 27705 |
| Ophthalmology | 27288 |
| ENT | 27540 |
| Psychiatry | 27310 |
| Anaesthesia | 27743 |
| Radiology (Radio Diagnosis) | 27744 |
| Pathology | 27481 |
Government/Aided/OPN/GMP/OTH/NRI Cutoff 2024 for MD MS
The table below highlights the NEET PG 2024 Round 2 cutoffs for different seat categories, such as Government, Aided, GMP, OPN, Other, and NRI quotas. It also projects the expected cutoff ranges for 2025, showing a slight increase across most categories. The data helps aspirants estimate their chances of securing seats in the upcoming counselling session.
| Type of Seat | Cutoff 2024 Clinical Departments (Representative Rank Range) | Expected in 2025 (Clinical Departments) |
|---|---|---|
| Government Quota (Open Category) | 22206 | 23000 – 23500 |
| Aided Colleges (Karnataka) | 41150 | 42000 – 43000 |
| OPN (Open Merit – Private Government Quota) | 52604 | 55000 – 56000 |
| GMP (Government Medical Places in Private Colleges) | 53033 | 51000 – 52000 |
| GMP (Private University) | 116740 | 118000 – 120000 |
| OPN (Private University) | 101838 | 110000 – 112000 |
| NRI Quota | 127818 | 125000 – 13000 |
| OTH (Other Quotas – Defense, Freedom Fighter Wards) | 129878 | 125000 – 130000 |
Top 5 Private Medical Colleges for MD MS
Karnataka’s leading private medical institutions offering quality postgraduate education:
| College | Location | Year of Establishment | MD/MS Intake (Approximate) | Annual Fee Range (General Quota) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Manipal | Manipal | 1953 | 222 seats | ₹4.95-33,98 lakhs/year |
| 2. JSS Medical College | Mysore | 1984 | 166 seats | ₹10K-35 lakhs/year |
| 3. St. John’s Medical College | Bangalore | 1963 | 131 seats | ₹1-21.75 lakhs/year |
| 4. M.S. Ramaiah Medical College | Bangalore | 1979 | 168 seats | ₹1.28-50 lakhs/year |
| 5. Yenepoya Medical College | Mangalore | 1999 | 117 seats | ₹10K-50 lakhs/year |
Conclusion
Karnataka NEET PG 2025-26 offers 6386 MD/MS seats across diverse specializations, catering to varying merit levels and financial capabilities. Government colleges provide exceptional value (₹1.5-9 lakhs for complete program) with cutoffs ranging from 8,500 (Radio-diagnosis) to 1,25,000 (Biochemistry) for open category. Private colleges offer guaranteed admission through management and NRI quotas with fees ranging ₹45 lakhs to 1.05 crores, accepting ranks up to 1,50,000-2,00,000.
Strategic planning is crucial: Candidates should assess their NEET PG rank, financial capacity, and specialty preferences before counselling. Popular specialties (Radio-diagnosis, Dermatology, Orthopedics, Anaesthesia) require top 30,000 ranks for government seats, while academic specialties (Anatomy, Physiology, Community Medicine) accept ranks up to 1,25,000, offering affordable options for research-oriented doctors.
Management and NRI quotas provide alternative pathways for candidates with moderate ranks but strong financial backing. The Karnataka medical education system balances quality, affordability, and accessibility, making it a preferred destination for postgraduate medical education in South India.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What is the total number of MD/MS seats available in Karnataka for NEET PG 2025-26?
A. Karnataka offers approximately 6386 MD/MS postgraduate medical seats across 65 medical colleges.
Q. Is Karnataka domicile certificate mandatory for NEET PG admission in private medical colleges?
A. For government quota seats (both in government and private colleges): Yes, Karnataka domicile certificate is mandatory as 85% of these seats are reserved for state domicile candidates under Karnataka State Quota. For management quota and NRI quota seats in private colleges: No, domicile certificate is NOT required. These seats are open to candidates from all states and countries. Many doctors from other states secure MD/MS admission in Karnataka private colleges through management quota without domicile restrictions. However, you must have completed MBBS from an MCI/NMC-recognised college, completed an internship, and have a valid NEET PG 2025 scorecard.
Q. Can I get MD/MS admission in Karnataka with NEET PG rank of 80,000?
A. Yes, with NEET PG rank of 80,000, you can secure MD/MS admission in Karnataka through multiple pathways: Government colleges: You can get non-clinical branches like Pharmacology, Community Medicine, Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology, or Forensic Medicine (cutoffs: 50,000-1,25,000). Private colleges – Government quota: Possible in non-clinical departments (cutoffs: 60,000-1,40,000). Management quota in private colleges: You can get clinical branches like General Medicine, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, or Respiratory Medicine, and most non-clinical branches. NRI quota: If eligible, NRI quota offers even more flexibility. With rank 80,000, focus on management quota in reputed private colleges for better specialty options, though fees will be ₹45-80 lakhs for the program.