Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Manipal is a private medical college started in 1953. It functions under the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), a deemed-to-be university. The college is recognised by the National Medical Commission (NMC) and is located on the MAHE campus in Manipal, Udupi district, Karnataka. MAHE has NAAC accreditation with an A++ Grade.

KMC Manipal holds the 10th position in India in the Medical category in NIRF Medical 2025, with a score of 68.05. The college is known for medical education across MBBS, PG, super-specialty, M.Sc and fellowship programmes, supported by clinical training at Kasturba Hospital.

The college is part of the 2,000-acre MAHE campus. Its attached 1,844-bed Kasturba Hospital is the main teaching hospital for MBBS, MD, MS, DM and M.Ch students.

  • MBBS (5.5 years including internship): 250 seats. Admission is through NEET UG and MAHE counselling. Total fee is INR 72,34,000.
  • MD (28 specialisations): The course covers clinical and pre-clinical branches. Admission is through NEET PG. Total fee ranges from INR 16,47,000 for Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry to INR 1,03,56,000 for Radiodiagnosis.
  • MS (5 specialisations): Offered in General Surgery, Orthopaedics, Ophthalmology, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and ENT. Total fee ranges from INR 78,15,000 to INR 87,72,000.
  • DM and M.Ch (super-specialty): Includes 10 DM and 9 M.Ch disciplines. Admission is through NEET SS. Total fee ranges from INR 51,42,000 to INR 1,03,56,000.
  • M.Sc (medical sciences): Available in Neuroscience, Clinical Embryology, Genetics, Medical Microbiology, Forensic Sciences and other subjects. Total fee ranges from INR 3,42,500 to INR 19,46,500.
  • Fellowship programmes: More than 20 short-term clinical fellowships are offered in subspecialties. Fee ranges from INR 1,03,000 to INR 18,06,000.

According to NIRF 2025, PG graduates from KMC Manipal received a median salary of INR 16.78 LPA.

Admission Update: KMC Manipal MBBS admission for the 2026-27 batch is being held through NEET UG 2026, followed by MCC AIQ counselling and Karnataka state counselling. Karnataka state counselling rounds are in progress. NEET PG 2026 qualified students can apply for MD and MS seats through the MAHE PG Medical Admission process.

KMC Manipal Admission Dates 2026

MBBS admission at KMC Manipal for 2026-27 is based on NEET UG 2026. Seats are filled through MCC counselling for the All India Quota and Karnataka Examinations Authority counselling for the state quota. MD and MS admission is based on NEET PG 2026 and the MAHE PG Medical Admission process. DM and M.Ch admission is based on NEET SS 2026.

EventDate
Karnataka State Counselling (KEA) for MBBSAugust to October 2026
NEET PG Counselling for MD/MSAugust to October 2026

Subject to revision. Kindly check with the official sources to confirm

The table below shows the entrance test and counselling route for each programme group at KMC Manipal.

ProgrammeEntrance ExamCounselling Authority
MBBSNEET UG (mandatory)MCC (AIQ) / KEA Karnataka (State Quota)
MD, MSNEET PG (mandatory)MCC / MAHE PG Medical Admission
DM, M.ChNEET SS (mandatory)MCC / MAHE
M.Sc (Medical Sciences)MAHE Entrance Test / MeritMAHE Admissions
Fellowship ProgrammesApplication-based (interview)KMC / MAHE directly

KMC Manipal Courses and Fees

KMC Manipal teaches medical courses at undergraduate, postgraduate, super-specialty and fellowship levels. Its academic list has more than 55 programmes across major clinical and pre-clinical fields. Fees differ by course and specialisation.

CourseDurationSeatsFee
MBBS4.5 years + 1-year internship250INR 72,34,000
MD (Radiodiagnosis)3 yearsLimitedINR 1,03,56,000
MD (General Medicine)3 yearsLimitedINR 85,38,000
MD (Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology)3 yearsLimitedINR 87,72,000
MD (Paediatrics)3 yearsLimitedINR 87,72,000
MD (Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry)3 yearsLimitedINR 16,47,000
MS (Orthopaedics)3 yearsLimitedINR 87,72,000
MS (General Surgery)3 yearsLimitedINR 78,15,000
DM, M.Ch (Super-specialty)3 yearsLimitedINR 51,42,000 to INR 89,04,000
M.Sc Medical Sciences (10 subjects)2 yearsVariableINR 3,42,500 to INR 19,46,500
Fellowship Programmes (20+)1 yearVariableINR 1,03,000 to INR 18,06,000

Subject to revision. Kindly check with the official sources to confirm

The M.Sc options include Neuroscience, Clinical Embryology, Genetics, Genetics Counselling, Medical Biochemistry, Medical Microbiology, Medical Pharmacology, Medical Physiology, Medical Anatomy, Forensic Sciences, and Reproduction and Developmental Biology. Fellowship choices include Fetal Medicine, Vitreo-Retina, Glaucoma, Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Head and Neck Oncology, and Spine Surgery.

KMC Manipal Admission Process

KMC Manipal follows NMC rules for medical admissions. MBBS, MD and MS admission is not based on a separate college test. Students need valid NEET scores for these courses. For M.Sc medical sciences, MAHE uses its own entrance test.

MBBS Admission

MBBS at KMC Manipal attracts students from India and overseas because it is a major private medical seat.

  • Eligibility: Students must pass 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology with 50% aggregate, or 45% for SC/ST/OBC. They must be 17 years old as of 31 December in the admission year.
  • Entrance: NEET UG is compulsory for every applicant.
  • Closing NEET rank (2024 benchmark): General Category closing rank was 39,000 to 46,000 in MCC Round 2. NRI and management quota seats follow a separate MAHE process.
  • Counselling stages: MCC AIQ Round 1 and Round 2 are for 15% AIQ seats. KEA Karnataka counselling is for 85% state quota seats.
  • Reporting: Selected students must complete document verification and pay the fee at the KMC Manipal campus.

MD and MS Admission

For PG medical seats, KMC Manipal uses MCC PG counselling and MAHE management quota allocation.

  • Eligibility: Applicants must hold an MBBS degree from an NMC-recognised institution and must have completed the one-year internship.
  • Entrance: NEET PG is mandatory.
  • Seat matrix: 50% seats are filled through MCC PG counselling under AIQ, and 50% are filled through MAHE under management/NRI quota.
  • Application: Management quota applicants apply directly through the MAHE Admissions portal (manipal.edu).

DM and M.Ch Admission

DM and M.Ch admissions are handled through NEET SS and MCC super-specialty counselling.

  • Eligibility: Students need an MD or MS degree in the relevant specialty from an NMC-recognised institution.
  • Entrance: NEET SS is compulsory.
  • Counselling: Admission is through MCC SS counselling and MAHE management quota.

M.Sc (Medical Sciences) Admission

M.Sc medical sciences admission at KMC Manipal is based on the MAHE entrance test or merit-based shortlisting.

  • Eligibility: Applicants need a BSc or equivalent degree in the relevant life science subject with 50% aggregate.
  • Selection: MAHE Entrance Test score is followed by an interview.
  • Application: Students apply through the MAHE Admissions portal.

KMC Manipal Placements and Career Outcomes

KMC Manipal does not follow the usual campus placement model because medical students usually move into internships, residencies, super-specialty training or hospital jobs. The career path depends on the medical degree completed and the next exam or job route chosen by the graduate.

As reported in NIRF 2025, the median salary for KMC Manipal PG graduates was INR 16.78 LPA. MBBS students complete their compulsory internship and then either prepare for NEET PG for MD/MS admission or take roles in the private healthcare sector.

Career StagePathwayTypical Starting Compensation
MBBS InternshipMandatory rotating internship at Kasturba HospitalStipend INR 20,000 to 25,000 per month
Post-MBBS (Private Sector)Junior Doctor / Medical Officer in corporate hospitalsINR 8 to 15 LPA
NEET PG PathwayMD/MS resident at government or private medical collegeStipend INR 70,000 to 90,000 per month
Post-MD/MS (Senior Consultant)Consultant in Apollo, Fortis, Manipal Hospitals, and similar hospitalsINR 20 to 60 LPA (specialty-dependent)
Super-Specialty (DM/M.Ch)Super-specialist in tertiary hospitals, AIIMS and private chainsINR 40 to 100 LPA

KMC Manipal graduates work in leading hospital chains in India, including Manipal Hospitals, Apollo Hospitals, Fortis Healthcare and Narayana Health. Alumni also work in healthcare systems in the UK NHS, Middle East and USA. With more than 70 years of alumni presence, the college has a wide referral network in healthcare.

KMC Manipal Rankings

KMC Manipal is placed 10th in NIRF Medical 2025 with a score of 68.05. This makes it the highest-ranked private medical college in Karnataka in the NIRF medical list. NIRF is a Ministry of Education ranking system used for comparing medical colleges in India.

Ranking BodyCategory2025 Rank
NIRFMedical10 (Score: 68.05)

The NIRF score of KMC Manipal is linked to its performance in Research and Professional Practice, Graduate Outcomes, and Outreach and Inclusivity. MAHE, its parent university, has an NAAC A++ grade.

KMC Manipal Campus and Infrastructure

KMC Manipal is based on the 2,000-acre MAHE campus in Manipal, Udupi district, Karnataka. Students get access to hostels, sports facilities, libraries, simulation labs and student facilities within the same campus. Manipal offers a calm hill-town setting centred on student life and academics.

Kasturba Hospital, the attached teaching hospital, has 1,844 beds and serves as a multi-specialty hospital for the coastal Karnataka region. Students gain clinical exposure across specialisations through its patient services. The hospital and campus include specialised units such as the Regional Cancer Centre, Centre for Medical Robotics and Interventional Technology, Advanced Research Centre, and Department of Telemedicine.

MAHE provides separate student hostels for men and women, the University Library, sports facilities, a swimming pool, recreation centres and access to nearby MAHE institutions such as KMC Mangalore, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, and Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences. This gives medical students exposure to related health-science fields.

KMC Manipal vs MS Ramaiah Medical College vs St. John’s Medical College

Students comparing private medical colleges in Karnataka often look at KMC Manipal, MS Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore, and St. John’s Medical College, Bangalore. All three institutions are NMC-recognised, NIRF-ranked private medical colleges with MBBS and PG medical courses.

ParameterKMC ManipalMS Ramaiah Medical College, BangaloreSt. John’s Medical College, Bangalore
Established195319791963
NIRF Medical 202510Top 25Top 25
Parent UniversityMAHE (NAAC A++)Ramaiah University of Applied SciencesRajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences
MBBS Seats250150100
MBBS Total Fee (General)INR 72,34,000Comparable rangeComparable range
Hospital Beds1,844 (Kasturba Hospital)800+ (Ramaiah Memorial Hospital)1,320 (St. John’s Hospital)
LocationManipal, Udupi (Coastal Karnataka)Bangalore (State Capital)Bangalore (State Capital)

KMC Manipal has the largest MBBS intake among the three and also has the best NIRF rank in this comparison. It also benefits from the wider MAHE academic environment. MS Ramaiah and St. John’s are located in Bangalore, which gives students closer access to metro-city hospitals for elective rotations and job opportunities after the degree. KMC Manipal’s key strength is the clinical exposure available through the 1,844-bed Kasturba Hospital.

KMC Manipal FAQs

Ques. Where does KMC Manipal stand in NIRF Medical 2025?

Ans. In NIRF Medical 2025, KMC Manipal is ranked 10th in India in the Medical category. Its score is 68.05. Within the NIRF system, it is the top-ranked private medical college in Karnataka.

Ques. How much does the full MBBS course cost at KMC Manipal?

Ans. The full MBBS programme at KMC Manipal costs INR 72,34,000 under the general quota. The course includes 4.5 years of study and a 1-year compulsory internship. NRI quota fees are much higher, and students pay the fee in instalments according to the MAHE fee schedule.

Ques. Which NEET rank range was needed for KMC Manipal MBBS in 2024?

Ans. In the 2024 MCC AIQ Round 2 data, the General Category closing NEET rank for KMC Manipal was between 39,000 and 46,000. State quota and management quota seats use different cutoff ranges. For the 2026 cycle, students should check the official MCC and KEA counselling portals after the closing ranks are published.

Ques. Is KMC Manipal approved by the National Medical Commission?

Ans. Yes, KMC Manipal is recognised by the National Medical Commission (NMC) for MBBS and all postgraduate medical courses. It works under MAHE, a UGC-recognised deemed university with NAAC A++ accreditation.

Ques. What career options do students have after MBBS from KMC Manipal?

Ans. Many MBBS graduates from KMC Manipal take NEET PG and move into MD or MS specialisation. Graduates who join the private sector may work as medical officers or junior consultants in corporate hospitals, with pay of INR 8 to 15 LPA. After MD/MS, senior consultants in in-demand specialties may earn INR 20 to 60 LPA. KMC alumni work across major Indian hospital chains and international healthcare systems.

Ques. Are hostels available for KMC Manipal students?

Ans. Yes, KMC Manipal students can use separate hostels for men and women on the 2,000-acre MAHE campus in Manipal. The residential campus also has canteens, sports facilities, a library and recreation centres.

Ques. Which PG medical branches does KMC Manipal offer?

Ans. KMC Manipal offers MD in 28 specialisations, including General Medicine, Paediatrics, Radiodiagnosis, Dermatology, Psychiatry and pre-clinical subjects. MS is available in 5 surgical specialisations. Super-specialty courses include 10 DM and 9 M.Ch disciplines. MD and MS admission is through NEET PG, while DM and M.Ch admission is through NEET SS.