Top 10 medical colleges, universities, and institutes in India

Many students in India desire to pursue their education in medicine and build their careers. Medicine in India is a thriving field that has attracted a large pool of top talents. India has some of the best medical colleges globally in terms of faculty, facilities, research infrastructure, outreach, and inclusivity.

National Institute Ranking Framework, managed by the Ministry of Human Resource Development of the Government of India, lists medical colleges in the country based on several assessment parameters. This mission aims to rate them for their quality, image, and performance. Here is the list of top 10 medical colleges in India for 2020 based on the NIRF ranking.

#1 All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi

NIRF has awarded 90.69 points to AIIMS – New Delhi, and has ranked it as the country's top destination for medical courses. AIIMS, New Delhi, was created in 1956 vide an act enacted in the parliament of India. It has now been recognized as an institution of national importance. The college offers UG, PG, and doctoral courses in different fields of medicine.

#2 Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh – Chandigarh

The points bagged by the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, is 80.06, which places the institution as the second-best in the nation for pursuing medical courses. Deemed as an institution of national importance, PGIMER is consistently receiving top ranks in the NIRF assessment. The college offers courses in several disciplines of medicine as per the world’s best standards.

#3 Christian Medical College, Vellore - Tamil Nadu

With 73.56 points in the NIRF assessment, CMC – Vellore stands in the third topmost position among India's best medical colleges. Founded in 1918 by Dr Ida Sophia Scudder, the daughter of a medical missionary, CMC – Vellore is a Christian minority institution affiliated to Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University.

#4 National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences, Bangalore - Karnataka

The fourth-place among India's best medical colleges is reserved for the National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences, Bangalore, which has scored 71.35 points in the NIRF assessment. NIMHANS – Bangalore has established itself as one of the most sought after destinations for medical courses by talented students. The institution has a very long history from colonial times as it was born from the Bangalore Lunatic Asylum, founded in 1847.

#5 Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow - Uttar Pradesh

Located in Lucknow, the Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences has scored 70.21 points in the NIFR assessment. It has captured fifth place among the top 10 medical colleges in the country. Situated in the southeast of Lucknow city, SGPGIMS has one of the country's best infrastructures for medical courses.

#6 Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi - Uttar Pradesh

NIRF has awarded 64.72 points for Banaras Hindu University – Varanasi and has placed it in the sixth position among the best medical colleges offering world-class medical courses. Cherishing a long tradition founded by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, Banaras Hindu University started its journey in 1916, growing as a reputed institution attracting top talents.

#7 Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Kochi – Kerala

With 64.39 points, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences & Research – Kochi has bagged the seventh position among the nation's leading medical colleges. Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences (Amrita Hospital) has been regarded as one of the country's premier hospitals that have achieved the best medical treatments and education standards.

#8 Jawaharlal Institute of PostGraduate Medical Education & Research, Puducherry – Pondicherry

Standing in the eighth position in 2020 among the best medical colleges in India, the scores bagged by JIPMER – Pondicherry is 63.17. Recognized among the institutions of national importance, JIPMER – Pondicherry offers UG, PG, diploma, and certificate programs in various disciplines of medicine. The hospital attached to the college is a highly sought after destination for medical treatments.

#9 Kasturba Medical College, Manipal – Karnataka

NIRF awards 62.84 points for Kasturba Medical College – Manipal and has rated it in the ninth position among India's best medical colleges. Considered as one of India's leading destinations for medical courses, KMC offers an array of UG medical courses in addition to PG courses across 55 disciplines in medicine.

#10 King George's Medical University, Lucknow - Uttar Pradesh

Scoring 62.20 points on the NIRF listing among India's best medical colleges, King George's Medical University, Lucknow occupies the tenth position among the leading colleges for medical courses in India. KGMU is a reputed medical college in the country that was established in 1905. Present since the colonial times, the institution has achieved excellence in medical education.