Top Medical Colleges in Chennai 2026: Rankings, Fees, Cut-Offs & Seats

Imagine you are a 24-year-old MBBS graduate from Tamil Nadu who just scored 520 in NEET PG 2026. You want an MD seat in Chennai, which has the highest number of medical colleges in India.

You have three government colleges and four NIRF-ranked private institutions to choose from, along with over 20 options. Fees range from ₹13,610 per year to ₹28 lakh per year. Cut-offs change by thousands of ranks between rounds.

Here are the medical colleges in Chennai at a glance:

Total medical colleges in Chennai: over 20, Top NIRF-ranked colleges (2025):

• SIMTS (#11)
•  MMC (#15)
• SRM IST (#17)
• SRIHER (#20)

Government colleges:

• Madras Medical College
• Stanley Medical College
• Kilpauk Medical College

Government MBBS fee: around ₹13,610 per year

Private MBBS fee range: ₹22–28 lakh per year

Total government MBBS seats (top 3): 650 (MMC: 250, Stanley: 250, Kilpauk: 150)

Admission through: UG (MBBS), NEET PG (MD/MS) | NEET SS (DM/MCh)

NEET 2026 exam information for Chennai aspirants:

• Counselling authority: MCC (15% AIQ) + DME Tamil Nadu (85% state quota)
• Seat allocation: All India Quota, State Quota, ESI Quota, Management Quota (private)
• Key fact: Tamil Nadu has over 53 colleges and 7,400 MBBS seats statewide
• 2025 trend: MMC MBBS General AIQ closing rank was around 2,048; expect similar competition in 2026
• PG aspirants: MMC offers 412 PG seats across 37 disciplines and 126 super-speciality seats in 19 disciplines
• Strategy tip: If you are a Tamil Nadu candidate, 85% state quota seats give you an advantage at government colleges.

Why Chennai Is India's Medical Education Capital

Chennai is known as the hub of India. This is not a title. The city has a number of MBBS colleges in India. Over 20 institutions offer undergraduate and postgraduate programs.

• Madras Medical College, established in 1835, is India's oldest medical college.
• There are also deemed universities with international research collaborations.
• Chennai gives aspirants many choices. In my 25 years of guiding NEET PG students, I have seen that students who understand the Chennai medical college scene make counselling decisions.
• They know about fee differences, clinical exposure quality and cut-off patterns.

A wrong choice during counseling can waste a year.

A good choice can define your career.

What makes Chennai special is its government medical education:

• The fees are as low as ₹13,610 per year for MBBS.
• It also has ranked private institutions.
• The clinical exposure in Chennai is very good.
• Government hospitals like Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital see patients.

NIRF 2025 Rankings: Top Medical Colleges in Chennai

The National Institutional Ranking Framework NIRF 2025, which the Ministry of Education released, ranked four institutions in Chennai among the top 20 medical institutions in India. This is really something for one city to have many good medical institutions. It shows that Chennai is very good at teaching medicine.

Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences secured the position in the whole country. This makes it the top medical college in Chennai.

Madras Medical College got the position with a score of 63.71. SRM Institute of Science and Technology was in a position with a score of 63.22. Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research got the position with a score of 61.54.

Counseling Insights: You should not choose a college just because of its NIRF ranking. Government colleges like Madras Medical College offer a lot of patients to practice on.

The fees are very low. This is even though they do not always do well in things like research that the NIRF ranking looks at. Private colleges have a lot of money to do research, so they do well in these things.

Also Read: Top Medical Colleges in Haryana 2026

Top Government Medical Colleges in Chennai

Government colleges are the best choice for NEET aspirants. They are affordable. Provide a lot of clinical exposure. This helps build a medical foundation. Chennai has three government medical colleges that every serious candidate should know about.

Madras Medical College (MMC)

Established in 1835, MMC is one of the medical colleges in India. It is always among the 15 nationally. MMC offers 250 MBBS seats, 412 PG seats in 37 disciplines and 126 super-speciality seats. The hospital attached to MMC, Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, is a tertiary care centre with many patients.

The annual MBBS tuition fee at MMC is around ₹13,610. This makes it one of the affordable medical education options in the country. The NEET UG AIQ closing rank for the General category in 2024 was around 2,048. For PG, the MD cut-off ranged between ranks 73 and 65,279.

Stanley Medical College (SMC)

Stanley Medical College was formally established in 1938. Its roots go back to 1740. The East India Company created its medical department in Madras. The college now admits 250 MBBS students every year. It offers 191 PG seats in 20 disciplines and 50 super-speciality seats.

Stanley Hospital is on a 51-acre campus. It has a Centre of Excellence for Hand and Reconstructive Microsurgery. The fee structure at Stanley is the same as MMC, around ₹13,610 per year for MBBS.

Kilpauk Medical College (KMC)

Kilpauk Medical College was opened in 1960. It offers 150 MBBS seats. The college is attached to a 1,200-bed government hospital. KMC is well-known for its speciality departments. Many students prefer it for postgraduate training.

The cut-off ranks for PG branches like Radio Diagnosis, General Medicine, and Paediatrics at Kilpauk are among the lowest in Tamil Nadu. The fee structure at Kilpauk is the same as that of government colleges, around ₹13,610 per year.

There are notable government medical institutions in Chennai. These include Omandurar Government Medical College and ESIC Medical College & PGIMSR. They provide education to undergraduate and postgraduate students. ESIC Medical College focuses on ESI beneficiary populations.

Top Private Medical Colleges in Chennai

Private and deemed universities in Chennai offer facilities, chances to do research and connections with other countries. But they cost a lot of money. Here is what you need to know about each of the Top Private Medical Colleges in Chennai.

Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences

Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences is a university that ranks eleventh in the country according to the NIRF 2025. The highest rank among all the medical colleges in Chennai. Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences has spent a lot of money on research and teaching staff. Working with other countries.

The total cost for the MBBS program at Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences is about ₹1.11–1.26 crore for five and a half years. Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences is known for helping students get jobs and having a well-equipped hospital.

SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre

SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre is part of SRM Institute of Science and Technology, which is ranked seventeenth in the category according to the NIRF.

SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre has facilities and a big hospital where students can get practical training.

The total cost for the MBBS program at SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre is about ₹1.14–1.24 crore. SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre is getting better at research. Offers many postgraduate and speciality programs.

Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research

Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research is a university that ranks twentieth in the medical category according to the NIRF 2025 and has a very good reputation. Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research was started in 1985. Offers many undergraduate, postgraduate and speciality programs.

The cost for the MBBS program at Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research is about ₹22–24 lakh per year. The average salary for students from Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research is between ₹5.4 and ₹25 lakh per year.

Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute

Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute is a well-known private institution that is great for clinical training and has a good hospital. Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute is a choice for students who want to study medicine in a private college in Chennai without spending too much money.

Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital

Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital is connected to Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research. Offers the MBBS program for about ₹1.36 crore. Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital has facilities and is a good hospital for teaching.

Also Read: Top Medical Colleges in Mumbai 2026

Top Medical Colleges in Chennai – 2026 (Quick Comparison)

Government Colleges

Private College:

Fee Structure Comparison: Government vs Private

To make a plan for counselling we need to understand the difference in fees between government and private medical colleges in Chennai. Let us look at the numbers.

Government colleges like MMC, Stanley and Kilpauk charge around ₹13,610 per year for MBBS tuition. The hostel fees are between ₹12,000 and ₹20,000 every year.

This means that the total amount you spend for the 5.5-year MBBS programme at a government college can be less than ₹2 lakh. This makes government colleges in Chennai one of the most affordable options in India.

On the other hand, private deemed universities charge between ₹22 lakh and ₹28 lakh per year. So the total cost for the programme can be around ₹1.1 crore to ₹1.36 crore.

This is an amount to spend, but these colleges have good infrastructure, smaller classes, labs for research and help with getting jobs abroad, like preparing for USMLE or PLAB.

FINANCIAL PLANNING ALERT: Many students and their families do not think about all the costs of studying medicine in college. These costs include tuition fees, hostel fees, mess fees, exam fees and other charges.

Always calculate the cost for 5.5 years before choosing a private college. Some colleges like SRIHER offer. Discounts to students who deserve it and cannot afford it.

Also Read: Top AIIMS Colleges in India 2026

NEET Cut-Off Trends for Chennai Medical Colleges

Looking at the cut-off marks is important for making a counselling plan. Here is what we can learn from the data from 2023 to 2025 about colleges in Chennai.

For MBBS at Madras Medical College, the cut-off rank for the General category has changed from 622 in 2023 to 2,048 in 2024. This means that you usually need 610 to 630 marks in UG to get a seat in MMC. The cut-off marks for the state quota are different because of the community reservation system in Tamil Nadu.

Stanley and Kilpauk have cut-off ranks that are a little lower than MMC. For colleges, the cut-off ranks are not as high and can go up to 30,000 to 50,000 or more. Getting a seat in these colleges is still competitive.

For PG, the cut-off ranks are different for each branch. At MMC, branches like Radiology, Dermatology and General Medicine have high cut-off ranks, while other branches have lower cut-off ranks.

NBEMS PATTERN INSIGHT: The cut-off ranks for PG are not just about the college but also about the branch. A student who ranks 5,000 can get a seat in MD Biochemistry at MMC.

May not get a seat in MD Medicine at a newer government college. So when counselling, we should look at both the college and branch cut-off ranks.

Admission Process: How to Get Into Chennai Medical Colleges

The admission process to top colleges in Chennai is a step-by-step procedure. It is handled by state counselling authorities.

For MBBS (NEET UG), there are two ways to get in.

• 15% Of seats in government colleges are filled through All India Quota counselling by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC).
• The remaining 85% are filled through Tamil Nadu State Quota counselling by the Directorate of Medical Education (DME).

Private deemed universities participate in both the All India Quota and their own counselling

For MD/MS (NEET PG), it works like this:

• 50% of PG seats in government colleges go through MCCs All India counselling.
• The other 50% go through Tamil Nadu state counselling by DME.

To be eligible, you need an MBBS degree from a recognized institution,

• one year of internship and a valid NEET PG score.

For DM/MCh (NEET SS)

• Admissions are done through SS and then centralized counselling.
• Medical colleges like MMC and Stanley offer DM/MCh programmes.

Here are the key eligibility criteria:

• MBBS: You need to have studied PCB and English in Class 12 with at least 50% marks (40% for reserved categories).
• You must be 17 years old by December 31 of the admission year. Have a valid NEET UG score.
•  MD/MS: You need an MBBS degree with 50% marks,
• registration with NMC or State Medical Council,
• completion of internship and a valid NEET PG score.

If you are from Tamil Nadu,

• you have an advantage. 85% Of state quota seats are open to you. This gives you an edge at government colleges.

Also Read: Best Medical Colleges in Delhi 2026

HIGH-YIELD RAPID RECALL. CHENNAI MEDICAL COLLEGES 2026

One-Liner Bank

• The oldest medical college in Chennai is Madras Medical College, which was established in the year 1835. It is the 3rd oldest in India.
• The highest NIRF-ranked medical college in Chennai for the year 2025 is SIMTS, also known as Saveetha, with a rank of 11.
• The annual MBBS fee at government colleges in Chennai is ₹13,610 per year.
• The total number of government MBBS seats in the 3 colleges in Chennai is 650, with Madras Medical College having 250 seats, Stanley Medical College having 250 seats, and Kilpauk Medical College having 150 seats.
• Stanley Medical College was the college in Tamil Nadu to have 250 MBBS seats, which was implemented in the year 2013-14.
• There are a few medical colleges in Chennai that have been accredited with an NAAC A++ rating, including SIMTS, SRM IST and SRIHER.
• The Centre of Excellence for Microsurgery in Chennai is located at Stanley Medical College.
• The NEET UG AIQ closing rank for Madras Medical College for the year 2024 was 2,048 for the general category.
• The counselling authority for 85 per cent of the state quota seats is DME Tamil Nadu.
• Madras Medical College has a total of 37 disciplines and 412 seats for postgraduate studies.

Key Numbers to Remember

• The government MBBS tuition fee in Chennai is ₹13,610 per year.
• The total number of government MBBS seats across Madras Medical College, Stanley Medical College and Kilpauk Medical College is 650, which is calculated as 250 plus 250 plus 150.
• The seat allocation split at government colleges is 15 percent All India Quota and 85 percent State Quota.
• Madras Medical College was established in 1835.
• There are more than 53 medical colleges in the state of Tamil Nadu.
• The NIRF 2025 ranks for SIMTS, Madras Medical College, SRM IST and SRIHER are number 11, number 15, number 17 and number 20, respectively.

Previous Year Counselling Trend Analysis

COUNSELLING TREND TRACKER. CHENNAI MEDICAL COLLEGES

Over the past few years, we have seen some things that always happen. First Madras Medical College's All India Quota closing rank for General MBBS has always been very high, which means it is one of the government medical colleges outside Delhi and the AIIMS network.

Second, the fees at colleges have gone up by 5-10% every year, which makes the total cost of the programme more than ₹1 crore at all major deemed universities.

Third, students from Tamil Nadu have an advantage when it comes to getting a seat at Madras Medical College. They can get a seat with a state-level rank that would not be good enough to get into a similar government college through the All India Quota.

2026 Prediction: We think that the cut-offs at government colleges will stay the same or get a little tougher because more and more students are taking the exam. The fees at colleges will probably go up by another 5-8%. Students who get a UG rank below 5,000 should really think about all three government colleges in Chennai.

For PG, it will be very hard to get into the clinical branches at Madras Medical College and Stanley Medical College. If your rank is above 10,000, you should think about the para-clinical branches.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What are the best medical colleges in Chennai according to the NIRF 2025 rankings?

The four medical colleges in Chennai that are ranked by NIRF 2025 are Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, which is ranked number 11, Madras Medical College, which is ranked number 15, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, which is ranked number 17 and Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, which is ranked number 20. Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences is a medical college in Chennai.

Is Saveetha or Madras Medical College better for students who want to take NEET PG?

Both colleges have their strengths. Madras Medical College is very good for training, and it has a lot of experience, and it offers many postgraduate and super-speciality courses, and the fees are very low. Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences has a NIRF ranking, and it has modern facilities, and it is good for research, and has international connections.

The fees are higher. So if you want to do training and you do not have a lot of money, Madras Medical College is a good choice. If you want to do research and you can afford the fees, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences is an alternative.

What is the process for getting into MBBS in Chennai?

To get into MBBS, you need to take the UG exam. For government colleges, 15% of the seats are filled through All India Quota counselling. 85% Are filled through state counselling. Private colleges also participate in All India Quota counselling. They have their own counselling process. You have to register, fill out your choices and take part in the seat allotment process.

Are there speciality courses available in Chennai?

Yes, colleges like Madras Medical College and Stanley Medical College offer DM and MCh courses. Private colleges like Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences and Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research also offer some speciality courses. To get into these courses, you need to take the SS exam, and then you have to take part in centralized counselling.

What are the fees for MBBS at government colleges in Chennai?

The government medical colleges in Chennai, including Madras Medical College, Stanley Medical College and Kilpauk Medical College, charge around ₹13,610 per year for MBBS tuition.

You also have to pay for a hostel, which can cost between ₹12,000 and ₹20,000 per year. So the total cost of studying at a government college for 5.5 years can be more than ₹2 lakh.

What UG score do I need to get into Madras Medical College?

Based on what happened in 2024, you need to get 610-630 marks in NEET UG or a rank between 2,000 and 2,500 to get a seat at Madras Medical College through All India Quota for the General category. The cut-offs for the state quota are different. They depend on the community reservation system in Tamil Nadu.

How many MBBS seats are available at government colleges in Chennai?

The three main government medical colleges in Chennai have a total of 650 MBBS seats: Madras Medical College has 250 seats, Stanley Medical College has 250 seats. Kilpauk Medical College has 150 seats. There are also some seats at Omandurar Government Medical College and ESIC Medical College.

COUNSELLING PEARL

"I have been helping students prepare for NEET for 25 years. I have seen many students make the mistake of choosing a college just because of its ranking. That is not the only thing that matters. A student who studies at Madras Medical College and sees a lot of patients every day will learn a lot more than a student who studies at a college with a simulation lab.

So when you choose a college, think about the kind of doctor you want to be and the kind of patients you will see and the kind of teachers you will learn from."

Your choice of college is not about counseling; it is about your whole medical career. So make a choice.