📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Asbchoudhary9
Education
Over 1,000 MBBS Seats Remain Unfilled in Rajasthan Amid New NEET‑2026 Counselling Rules
✍️ Bhaskar English
🗓 12 Oct 2026, 08:32 AM
👁 9
More than a thousand MBBS seats in Rajasthan remain vacant after the implementation of new NEET‑2026 counselling guidelines, which have introduced additional eligibility hurdles for candidates.
Rajasthan's medical education authorities reported that over 1,000 undergraduate medical seats are still unoccupied for the 2026 admission cycle. The shortfall reflects a sharp decline in candidate uptake compared with previous years, raising concerns about the efficient utilization of state‑funded medical infrastructure.
The vacancy surge is linked to recently revised NEET‑2026 counselling rules, which impose stricter eligibility criteria, such as higher minimum qualifying marks and tighter domicile verification procedures. These changes were introduced to streamline seat allocation but have unintentionally created additional barriers for aspirants, especially those from rural districts.
Medical colleges across the state warn that prolonged seat vacancies could affect faculty recruitment, clinical training capacity, and ultimately the supply of new doctors in underserved areas. Officials are now reviewing possible remedial actions, including a limited relaxation of the new criteria and a targeted awareness drive to inform eligible students about the revised process.
The vacancy surge is linked to recently revised NEET‑2026 counselling rules, which impose stricter eligibility criteria, such as higher minimum qualifying marks and tighter domicile verification procedures. These changes were introduced to streamline seat allocation but have unintentionally created additional barriers for aspirants, especially those from rural districts.
Medical colleges across the state warn that prolonged seat vacancies could affect faculty recruitment, clinical training capacity, and ultimately the supply of new doctors in underserved areas. Officials are now reviewing possible remedial actions, including a limited relaxation of the new criteria and a targeted awareness drive to inform eligible students about the revised process.