Aspirant To Doctor: Inside NEET Race For 1.37 Lakh MBBS Seats
The article examines the intense competition for MBBS seats in India, noting that while the number of medical colleges has expanded significantly, the ratio of aspirants to seats remains high. It highlights the growth of medical infrastructure from 314 colleges in 2010 to 823 by 2026.
Why it matters
Understanding the supply-demand gap in medical education is critical for addressing India's healthcare workforce challenges and the socio-economic pressures on students.
The NEET protest in Delhi is making headlines not only in the country but abroad as well. The explosion of protestors in the national capital has turned all eyes towards NEET, other competitive exams, what lies beneath the most-talked-about NEET exam and how it turns an aspirant into a doctor.Every year, millions of aspirants spend years preparing for one exam, hoping to secure a seat in a medical college. Data on candidates competing for each seat shows how difficult the journey can be. In 2017, 16 candidates were competing for every MBBS seat. The ratio rose to 18 in both 2018 and 2019, before easing slightly during the pandemic period. Competition intensified again after 2021, reaching 19 candidates per seat in 2023 and peaking at 21 candidates per seat in 2024.
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