NEET 2026 Reservation: Category-wise Seat Distribution in Medical Colleges
Understand the complete reservation structure for NEET 2026 — AIQ, state quota, category-wise percentages, and total MBBS/BDS seats in India.
Understanding the reservation structure and seat distribution is crucial for every NEET 2026 aspirant. Whether you belong to the General, OBC, SC, ST, or EWS category, knowing how many seats are available and through which counselling process they are filled can help you set realistic targets and plan your counselling strategy.
Two-Tier Counselling System
Medical college admissions through NEET are conducted at two levels:
| Quota | Percentage of Seats | Counselling Authority |
|---|---|---|
| All India Quota (AIQ) | 15% of total seats in government colleges | Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) |
| State Quota | 85% of total seats in government colleges | Respective State Counselling Authorities |
| Deemed Universities | 100% of seats | MCC |
| Central Universities (AIIMS, JIPMER, etc.) | 100% of seats | MCC |
| Private Medical Colleges | As per state regulations | State Counselling / Management Quota |
Note: AIIMS and JIPMER were merged into NEET counselling from 2020 onwards. All their seats are filled through the All India Quota via MCC.
Category-wise Reservation Under All India Quota (AIQ)
The following reservation percentages apply to the 15% AIQ seats counselled by MCC:
| Category | Reservation Percentage | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 15% | Vertical |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 7.5% | Vertical |
| OBC-NCL (Non-Creamy Layer) | 27% | Vertical |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | 10% | Vertical |
| General / Unreserved | 40.5% (remaining) | Open to all |
| PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities) | 5% | Horizontal (across all categories) |
Vertical vs. Horizontal reservation:
- Vertical reservations (SC, ST, OBC, EWS) are exclusive — seats reserved for one category cannot be given to another.
- Horizontal reservation (PwBD) cuts across all vertical categories. So 5% PwBD seats are distributed proportionally within General, SC, ST, OBC, and EWS.
State Quota Reservation
The 85% State Quota seats follow each state’s own reservation policy. These vary significantly:
| State | OBC Reservation | SC | ST | EWS | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tamil Nadu | 50% (BC + MBC) | 18% | 1% | 10% | — |
| Maharashtra | 32% (OBC + SBC) | 13% | 7% | 10% | Maratha (in legal review) |
| Karnataka | 32% (OBC) | 15% | 3% | 10% | — |
| Uttar Pradesh | 27% (OBC) | 21% | 2% | 10% | — |
| Rajasthan | 21% (OBC) | 16% | 12% | 10% | — |
| Bihar | 18% (OBC) | 16% | 1% | 10% | EBC 18% |
Note: State reservation policies are subject to change based on government notifications and court orders. Always verify with your state counselling authority.
Total Medical Seats in India (Approximate 2026 Figures)
| Course | Approximate Seats |
|---|---|
| MBBS | 1,10,000+ |
| BDS | 27,000+ |
| BAMS (Ayurveda) | 52,000+ |
| BHMS (Homeopathy) | 13,000+ |
| BUMS (Unani) | 3,000+ |
| BSMS (Siddha) | 2,500+ |
| BVSc (Veterinary) | 600+ |
The total MBBS seats have been increasing steadily. In 2020, India had about 83,000 MBBS seats; by 2026, this number has crossed 1,10,000 thanks to new medical colleges approved by the National Medical Commission (NMC).
Government vs. Private vs. Deemed Colleges
| College Type | Approximate MBBS Seats | Fee Range (Annual) | Counselling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government | ~55,000 | Rs. 10,000 - Rs. 50,000 | AIQ (15%) + State (85%) |
| Private | ~45,000 | Rs. 5,00,000 - Rs. 25,00,000 | State Counselling / Management |
| Deemed Universities | ~10,000+ | Rs. 10,00,000 - Rs. 25,00,000 | MCC |
| AIIMS + JIPMER | ~2,000+ | Rs. 1,000 - Rs. 6,000 | MCC (AIQ) |
| ESIC / Armed Forces | ~1,500+ | Varies | MCC |
How to Calculate Your Target Score
Based on the reservation category you belong to, here are approximate NEET score ranges needed for a government MBBS seat (based on 2025 trends):
| Category | Approximate NEET Score Range | Approximate Rank Range |
|---|---|---|
| General (AIQ) | 620-720 | Under 15,000 |
| General (State — varies) | 550-650 | 15,000 - 60,000 |
| OBC-NCL (AIQ) | 550-620 | 15,000 - 70,000 |
| SC (AIQ) | 450-550 | 70,000 - 1,50,000 |
| ST (AIQ) | 400-500 | 1,00,000 - 2,50,000 |
| EWS (AIQ) | 550-620 | 20,000 - 80,000 |
These are approximate figures and vary each year based on difficulty, number of candidates, and seat availability.
Key Things to Remember for Counselling
- Register for both AIQ and State Quota counselling to maximize your chances.
- Keep all original documents ready: Class 10 marksheet, Class 12 marksheet, NEET scorecard, category certificate, income certificate, domicile certificate.
- OBC-NCL certificate must be in the central government format for AIQ counselling. State format OBC certificates are only valid for state counselling.
- EWS certificate must be issued for the financial year 2025-26 and be in the prescribed format.
- Domicile certificate is mandatory for state quota seats.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can a General category candidate get a seat through SC/ST/OBC quota? No. Vertical reservation is category-specific. General candidates can only compete for unreserved seats and EWS (if eligible).
Q: Is OBC reservation available in all states? OBC reservation percentages vary by state. Some states have higher OBC reservation (like Tamil Nadu at 50%), while others follow the central 27% pattern.
Q: What is the difference between AIQ and State Quota counselling? AIQ counselling is conducted by MCC for 15% of government college seats and is open to candidates from all states. State Quota is for 85% of seats and is conducted by the respective state’s counselling authority, typically for domicile candidates.
Q: Can I participate in both AIQ and State counselling? Yes. You can register for both and participate in multiple rounds. However, if you accept a seat in one, you must surrender it before accepting a seat in another.
Q: Are private college seats also reserved? Private colleges in some states follow state reservation policies for a portion of their seats (institutional quota). Management quota and NRI quota seats in private colleges usually do not follow reservation.
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