NIRF Ranking 2026 Medical Colleges: List of Top Medical Colleges in India
NIRF Medical Ranking 2026: The NIRF Ranking 2026 for medical colleges is expected to be released soon by the Ministry of Education, Government of India. Medical aspirants waiting to know the best-ranked institutions in the country will be able to check the NIRF 2026 Medical Ranking, college-wise scores, ranks, cities and states through the official National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) portal once the results are announced.
Until the NIRF Medical Ranking 2026 is officially released, the NIRF 2025 Medical Ranking provides the latest confirmed benchmark. AIIMS New Delhi secured Rank 1 in 2025, followed by PGIMER Chandigarh at Rank 2 and Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore at Rank 3.
JIPMER Puducherry ranked fourth, while Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS), Lucknow secured the fifth position.
Medical aspirants should note that these are the confirmed previous-year rankings, not the NIRF 2026 results. The final 2026 positions may change once the Ministry of Education releases the new list.
NIRF Official Website:
https://www.nirfindia.org/
Ministry of Education:
https://www.education.gov.in/
NIRF Medical Ranking 2026: Highlights
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Ranking | NIRF Medical Ranking 2026 |
| Full Form | National Institutional Ranking Framework |
| Ranking Authority | Ministry of Education, Government of India |
| NIRF 2026 Medical Ranking Status | Expected Soon |
| Current Confirmed Ranking | NIRF Medical Ranking 2025 |
| 2025 Rank 1 | AIIMS New Delhi |
| 2025 Rank 2 | PGIMER Chandigarh |
| 2025 Rank 3 | CMC Vellore |
| 2025 Rank 4 | JIPMER Puducherry |
| 2025 Rank 5 | SGPGIMS Lucknow |
| Official Website | https://www.nirfindia.org/ |
Candidates should check the official NIRF website for the final 2026 rankings.
Is NIRF Medical Ranking 2026 Released?
No. As of September 6, 2026, the NIRF Medical Ranking 2026 has not yet been officially released.
The Ministry of Education is expected to announce the rankings soon.
Once released, the Medical category will provide updated positions for participating institutions based on the applicable NIRF methodology.
Until then, any list describing institutions as Rank 1, Rank 2 or Rank 3 for NIRF Medical 2026 should be treated cautiously unless it comes from the official NIRF portal.
NIRF 2026 Medical Colleges: Institutions to Watch
Based on their strong performance in the previous NIRF Medical Ranking, several institutions will be closely watched when the 2026 results are announced.
These include:
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi
Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh
Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore
Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry
Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow
Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi
National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru
King George's Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham
Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Manipal
Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences
Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth
AIIMS Rishikesh
AIIMS Bhubaneswar
Siksha 'O' Anusandhan
Madras Medical College & Government General Hospital
Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology
SRM Institute of Science and Technology
AIIMS Jodhpur
Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research
Their final 2026 positions will only be known after the official rankings are announced.
Top 20 Medical Colleges in India: NIRF 2025 Ranking
The following table provides the latest confirmed NIRF Medical ranks while students wait for the 2026 ranking.
| 2025 Rank | Medical Institution | City/Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) | New Delhi |
| 2 | Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) | Chandigarh |
| 3 | Christian Medical College (CMC) | Vellore |
| 4 | Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) | Puducherry |
| 5 | Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences | Lucknow |
| 6 | Banaras Hindu University | Varanasi |
| 7 | National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences | Bengaluru |
| 8 | King George's Medical University | Lucknow |
| 9 | Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham | Coimbatore |
| 10 | Kasturba Medical College | Manipal |
| 11 | Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences | Chennai |
| 12 | Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth | Pune |
| 13 | AIIMS Rishikesh | Rishikesh |
| 14 | AIIMS Bhubaneswar | Khordha |
| 15 | Siksha 'O' Anusandhan | Bhubaneswar |
| 16 | Madras Medical College & Government General Hospital | Chennai |
| 17 | Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology | Thiruvananthapuram |
| 18 | SRM Institute of Science and Technology | Chennai |
| 19 | AIIMS Jodhpur | Jodhpur |
| 20 | Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research | Wardha |
Note: These are NIRF 2025 ranks and are provided as the latest confirmed reference until NIRF 2026 is released.
NIRF Medical Ranking: Top 5 Colleges' Previous Three-Year Performance
The top institutions have shown considerable consistency in recent NIRF rankings.
| Medical College | NIRF 2025 | NIRF 2024 | NIRF 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIIMS New Delhi | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| PGIMER Chandigarh | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| CMC Vellore | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| JIPMER Puducherry | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| SGPGIMS Lucknow | 5 | 6 | 7 |
The table shows why these institutions are among the major colleges to watch when the NIRF Medical Ranking 2026 is announced.
AIIMS Delhi NIRF Ranking 2026
AIIMS New Delhi will once again be one of the most closely watched institutions in the NIRF Medical Ranking 2026.
AIIMS Delhi ranked:
No. 1 in NIRF Medical 2025
No. 1 in NIRF Medical 2024
No. 1 in NIRF Medical 2023
Its consistent performance makes it the institution to beat in the upcoming ranking.
However, candidates should not label AIIMS Delhi as the NIRF 2026 No. 1 medical college until the Ministry of Education officially publishes the new results.
PGIMER Chandigarh NIRF Ranking 2026
PGIMER Chandigarh secured the second position in NIRF Medical 2025.
It was also ranked second in both 2024 and 2023, demonstrating remarkable consistency near the top of the national medical ranking.
PGIMER is particularly prominent for postgraduate medical education, specialty training and research.
The NIRF 2026 results will show whether it retains its second position.
CMC Vellore NIRF Ranking 2026
Christian Medical College, Vellore secured Rank 3 in NIRF Medical 2025.
CMC Vellore was also third in both the 2024 and 2023 rankings.
The institution's consistent top-three performance makes it one of the leading medical institutions to watch in the upcoming 2026 ranking.
JIPMER NIRF Ranking 2026
JIPMER Puducherry improved to Rank 4 in NIRF Medical 2025, compared with Rank 5 in 2024 and Rank 5 in 2023.
Its movement into the fourth position demonstrates why year-on-year NIRF comparisons can be useful.
Students should watch whether JIPMER retains Rank 4 or moves further when the NIRF 2026 results are announced.
SGPGIMS Lucknow NIRF Ranking 2026
Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow ranked fifth in NIRF Medical 2025.
Its ranking trajectory has also improved:
2023: Rank 7 → 2024: Rank 6 → 2025: Rank 5
The 2026 ranking will reveal whether this upward movement continues.
Top Government Medical Colleges to Watch in NIRF 2026
Based on the previous NIRF list, several major government institutions will be closely watched, including:
AIIMS New Delhi
PGIMER Chandigarh
JIPMER Puducherry
SGPGIMS Lucknow
Banaras Hindu University
NIMHANS Bengaluru
King George's Medical University
AIIMS Rishikesh
AIIMS Bhubaneswar
Madras Medical College
AIIMS Jodhpur
Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital
AIIMS Bhopal
Maulana Azad Medical College
AIIMS Patna
AIIMS Raipur
Lady Hardinge Medical College
Students should wait for the official 2026 ranking before assigning these institutions their new positions.
Top Private Medical Colleges to Watch in NIRF 2026
Several private and deemed institutions also performed strongly in the previous Medical ranking.
Important institutions to watch include:
Christian Medical College, Vellore
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham
Kasturba Medical College, Manipal
Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences
Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth
Siksha 'O' Anusandhan
SRM Institute of Science and Technology
Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research
Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research
Their final positions will depend on the NIRF 2026 assessment.
How Does NIRF Rank Medical Colleges?
NIRF evaluates medical institutions using a structured methodology rather than ranking them simply on popularity.
The broad ranking framework examines institutional performance across areas such as:
| Parameter | What It Broadly Measures |
|---|---|
| Teaching, Learning & Resources | Faculty, academic and institutional resources |
| Research & Professional Practice | Research output and professional activity |
| Graduation Outcomes | Student and academic outcomes |
| Outreach & Inclusivity | Diversity and inclusion |
| Perception | Institutional perception |
Individual parameter scores contribute to the institution's overall NIRF score and final rank.
How to Check NIRF Medical Ranking 2026?
Once the Ministry of Education releases the ranking, candidates can follow these steps:
Visit the official NIRF website:
https://www.nirfindia.org/Find the India Rankings 2026 section.
Select the Medical category.
Open the NIRF Medical Ranking 2026 list.
Check the institution name.
Check its city and state.
Review its NIRF score.
Check the institution's rank.
Compare it with its previous-year position.
Download or save the ranking information if required.
Students should use the official list for final rankings.
NIRF Medical Ranking and NEET UG Admission
NIRF ranking and NEET admission are two separate things.
A high NIRF rank does not automatically provide admission to a medical college.
For MBBS admission, eligible candidates generally need to qualify through the applicable NEET UG admission and counselling process.
Candidates should therefore consider both their NEET rank and the admission rules of their preferred institution.
Should You Select an MBBS College Only by NIRF Rank?
No. NIRF ranking is useful, but it should be only one part of the decision.
Medical aspirants should also compare:
NEET cutoff and closing rank
MBBS seat availability
Tuition fees
Government/private status
Hospital patient load
Clinical exposure
Faculty
Infrastructure
Internship opportunities
Hostel facilities
Location
PG and research opportunities
Bond requirements, where applicable
Counselling route
Recognition and applicable regulatory approvals
For MBBS candidates in particular, clinical exposure and teaching-hospital facilities can be extremely important.
NIRF Medical Ranking 2026 vs 2025
Once the new ranking is released, candidates should compare NIRF Medical 2026 vs 2025 rather than looking only at the new ranks.
Watch for:
Whether AIIMS Delhi remains No. 1
Whether PGIMER retains Rank 2
Whether CMC Vellore remains in the top three
Whether JIPMER moves higher
Whether SGPGIMS continues its upward movement
Changes within the top 10
New entrants in the top 20
Performance of newer AIIMS institutions
Changes among private medical colleges
Institutions with the biggest rank improvements
This year-on-year comparison will provide a clearer picture of institutional performance.
NIRF Medical Ranking 2026: Important Points
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NIRF Medical Ranking 2026 is expected soon.
The official 2026 ranks have not yet been released.
AIIMS Delhi ranked No. 1 in NIRF Medical 2025.
PGIMER Chandigarh ranked second.
CMC Vellore ranked third.
JIPMER Puducherry ranked fourth.
SGPGIMS Lucknow ranked fifth.
Candidates should not treat predicted 2026 rankings as official results.
The Ministry of Education releases NIRF rankings.
The final list will be available on the official NIRF portal.
NIRF rank should be considered alongside NEET cutoff, fees, clinical exposure and other admission factors.
FAQs
Is NIRF Medical Ranking 2026 released?
No. As of September 6, 2026, the NIRF Medical Ranking 2026 is expected soon but has not yet been officially released.
Which is the No. 1 medical college according to the latest confirmed NIRF ranking?
AIIMS New Delhi ranked No. 1 in the NIRF Medical Ranking 2025.
Which were the top 5 medical institutions in NIRF 2025?
The top five were AIIMS New Delhi, PGIMER Chandigarh, CMC Vellore, JIPMER Puducherry and SGPGIMS Lucknow.
What was AIIMS Delhi's NIRF Medical Rank in 2025?
AIIMS New Delhi secured Rank 1.
What was CMC Vellore's NIRF rank?
CMC Vellore was ranked third in the NIRF Medical Ranking 2025.
What was JIPMER's NIRF Medical Rank?
JIPMER Puducherry secured Rank 4 in 2025, improving from Rank 5 in 2024.
Where can I check NIRF Medical Ranking 2026?
The official rankings will be available at:
Is NIRF ranking used for MBBS admission?
NIRF ranking itself does not allot MBBS seats. Medical admission follows the applicable entrance examination, eligibility and counselling process.
Should I choose a medical college based only on NIRF?
No. Candidates should also consider NEET cutoff, fees, clinical exposure, hospital facilities, location, seat availability and other programme-specific factors.
Conclusion
The NIRF Ranking 2026 for Medical Colleges is expected to provide an updated picture of India's leading medical institutions. However, candidates should remember that the official 2026 rankings have not yet been released as of September 6, 2026.
Until the new rankings are announced, NIRF Medical Ranking 2025 remains the latest confirmed benchmark. AIIMS New Delhi leads that list at Rank 1, followed by PGIMER Chandigarh, CMC Vellore, JIPMER Puducherry and SGPGIMS Lucknow.
The 2026 results will be particularly interesting because they will reveal whether AIIMS maintains its long-standing dominance, whether the top three remain unchanged and whether institutions such as JIPMER and SGPGIMS continue improving their positions.
Medical aspirants should use NIRF rankings as an important comparison tool but combine them with NEET cutoffs, MBBS fees, seat availability, clinical exposure, hospital facilities and counselling requirements before making a final college decision.
NIRF Official Website:
https://www.nirfindia.org/
Ministry of Education:
https://www.education.gov.in/
