Karnataka Secures 450 New Medical Seats, Introduces First-Ever 15% NRI Quota in Govt Colleges
Bengaluru: In a landmark move for medical education in Karnataka, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has approved 450 additional MBBS seats for the state from the 2025–26 academic year. For the first time, the state has also introduced a 15% NRI quota in government medical colleges, announced Dr. Sharanprakash R. Patil, Minister for Medical Education, Skill Development, Livelihood, and Raichur District In-charge.
At a press briefing in Vikas Soudha on Saturday, Dr. Patil said that of the newly sanctioned 400 seats across eight government colleges, 15% will be reserved for NRI students at a fixed fee of ₹25 lakh per seat. “This move will help government medical colleges become financially self-reliant rather than depending entirely on state funds,” he stated.
The additional 450 seats include:
50 seats each for medical colleges in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Belagavi, Kalaburagi, Chikkaballapur, Hassan, Raichur, and Vijayanagar.
50 seats for Mooru Savira Mutt’s medical college in Hubballi.
“This is truly a welcome development for Karnataka’s students and healthcare sector,” the minister said.
With this approval, Karnataka’s MBBS intake rises from 9,263 to 9,663 seats, easing access for meritorious students who often struggle with high private college fees.
Dr. Patil added that the state had actively pursued the NMC after its earlier announcement of 8,000 new seats nationwide. “Every year, aspirants increase, and many deserving students are left out. Our appeal was urgent and I am glad it has been approved,” he said.
Colleges Receiving Additional Seats
Belagavi Institute of Medical Sciences
Chikkaballapur Institute of Medical Sciences
Kalaburagi Institute of Medical Sciences
Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences
Mysore Medical College & Research Institute
Raichur Institute of Medical Sciences
Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical College & Research Institute, Bengaluru
Vijayanagar Institute of Medical Sciences
Mooru Savira Mutt’s Medical College, Hubballi.
KSDC Chairperson Shivakanthamma Naik, Principal Secretaries Manoj Kumar Meena and Mohammad Mohsin, and KSDC MD N.M. Nagaraj were present at the announcement.
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