AIIMS, JIPMER, and ESIC are names almost every NEET aspirant knows. But when counselling starts, many students realise they don’t actually know how these institutions differ. Is AIIMS always the better choice? How competitive is JIPMER? Is getting an ESIC seat easier? And most importantly, what kind of NEET rank do you need for each?
These questions become especially important during counselling, when students have to compare their options and make informed decisions. To make the right choice, students need a clear understanding of the colleges, seat availability, admission process, previous year cut-offs, and expected NEET trends for 2026. This guide provides a detailed comparison of AIIMS, JIPMER, and ESIC MBBS admissions to help students understand their options and plan their counselling choices better.
AIIMS, JIPMER & ESIC: What’s the Difference?
Although AIIMS, JIPMER, and ESIC Medical Colleges all offer MBBS admission through NEET UG, they are different in terms of ownership, the number of colleges, competition, and admission trends. AIIMS and JIPMER are recognised as Institutes of National Importance, while ESIC Medical Colleges are managed under the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation.
Getting a seat in these colleges depends a lot on the level of competition. AIIMS and JIPMER are harder to get into because of their limited seats and higher closing ranks. ESIC Medical Colleges give students more options with multiple campuses, making them a choice worth considering during MCC counselling.
The table below gives a quick comparison of all three.
| Feature | AIIMS | JIPMER | ESIC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Form | All India Institute of Medical Sciences | Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research | Employees' State Insurance Corporation |
| Admission | NEET UG + MCC Counselling | NEET UG + MCC Counselling | NEET UG + MCC Counselling |
| Institution Type | Institute of National Importance | Institute of National Importance | Government Medical Colleges under ESIC |
| Campuses | Multiple AIIMS across India | 2 Campuses (Puducherry & Karaikal) | Multiple Medical Colleges across India |
| Best Known For | Research, academics, and clinical exposure | High academic standards and limited seats | Wider college network and comparatively lower cut-offs |
Compare AIIMS, JIPMER & ESIC Before Counselling
Get expert guidance on AIIMS, JIPMER, ESIC, and other MBBS options based on your NEET rank and counselling preferences.
Know MoreAIIMS MBBS Admission Through NEET UG 2026
AIIMS is often the first choice for many NEET aspirants looking for a government MBBS seat. The main reasons are affordable fees, experienced faculty, strong research opportunities, and the opportunity to get clinical exposure by treating a wide range of patients. Over the years, AIIMS has expanded beyond New Delhi, with multiple campuses now offering MBBS programmes across India.
Admission to all AIIMS MBBS seats is based on NEET UG, followed by the MCC All India Counselling process. There is no separate entrance examination for AIIMS.
AIIMS Colleges Offering MBBS
The table below lists the AIIMS institutes that offer MBBS admissions through NEET UG
| AIIMS | State |
|---|---|
| AIIMS New Delhi | Delhi |
| AIIMS Bhopal | Madhya Pradesh |
| AIIMS Bhubaneswar | Odisha |
| AIIMS Jodhpur | Rajasthan |
| AIIMS Patna | Bihar |
| AIIMS Raipur | Chhattisgarh |
| AIIMS Rishikesh | Uttarakhand |
| AIIMS Raebareli | Uttar Pradesh |
| AIIMS Nagpur | Maharashtra |
| AIIMS Mangalagiri | Andhra Pradesh |
| AIIMS Kalyani | West Bengal |
| AIIMS Gorakhpur | Uttar Pradesh |
| AIIMS Madurai | Tamil Nadu |
| AIIMS Bathinda | Punjab |
| AIIMS Bibinagar | Telangana |
| AIIMS Deoghar | Jharkhand |
| AIIMS Guwahati | Assam |
| AIIMS Rajkot | Gujarat |
| AIIMS Vijaypur (Jammu) | Jammu & Kashmir |
| AIIMS Bilaspur | Himachal Pradesh |
AIIMS Previous Year’s Cut-Off (2025)
The table below shows the closing rank and NEET marks required for admission across different categories, based on the 2025 admission data.
| Category | Last Rank | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General | 7,143 | 564 |
| EWS | 12,057 | 550 |
| OBC | 8,617 | 559 |
| SC | 51,471 | 500 |
| ST | 70,969 | 485 |
Expected AIIMS Cut-Off 2026: Based on previous counselling trends, AIIMS cut-offs are expected to remain highly competitive. The final closing ranks may vary depending on seat availability, candidate preferences, category-wise competition, and MCC counselling trends.
JIPMER MBBS Admission Through NEET 2026
JIPMER is one of India’s oldest and most prestigious medical institutions. Like AIIMS, MBBS admission is based on NEET UG, and seats are allotted through MCC counselling. With only two campuses, competition for admission is extremely high.
JIPMER Campuses
| JIPMER Campus | State / UT |
|---|---|
| JIPMER Puducherry | Puducherry |
| JIPMER Karaikal | Puducherry |
JIPMER Previous Year's Cut-Off (2025)
| Category | Last Rank | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General | 260 | 628 |
| EWS | 1,624 | 596 |
| OBC | 748 | 612 |
| SC | 3,877 | 578 |
| ST | 6,910 | 564 |
ESIC MBBS Admission Through NEET 2026
For students aiming for a government MBBS seat, ESIC Medical Colleges are another option to consider during NEET counselling. These colleges are established under the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), and admission is based on NEET UG scores. The counselling process is conducted through MCC and the respective state counselling authorities, depending on the seat quota. Since ESIC colleges generally close at lower ranks compared with AIIMS and JIPMER, they are commonly considered by students looking for more opportunities during counselling.
ESIC Medical Colleges Offering MBBS
| ESIC Medical College | State |
|---|---|
| ESIC Medical College, Alwar | Rajasthan |
| ESIC Medical College, Faridabad | Haryana |
| ESIC Medical College & Hospital, Hyderabad | Telangana |
| ESIC Medical College & PGIMSR, Bengaluru | Karnataka |
| ESIC Medical College & Hospital, Chennai | Tamil Nadu |
| ESIC Medical College & Hospital, Kolkata (Joka) | West Bengal |
| ESIC Medical College & Hospital, Gulbarga | Karnataka |
| ESIC Medical College & Hospital, Bihta | Bihar |
| ESIC Medical College & Hospital, Parippally | Kerala |
Note: Although it is now known as Government Medical College, Kollam, it is included here because MBBS admissions are available under the ESIC quota.
ESIC Previous Year's Cut-Off (2025)
| Category | Last Rank | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General | 56,491 | 496 |
| OBC | 51,767 | 500 |
| SC | 237,652 | 386 |
| ST | 645,540 | 238 |
Things to Know Before Choosing AIIMS, JIPMER, or ESIC
Choosing between AIIMS, JIPMER, and ESIC isn’t just about comparing cut-offs. Before filling out your MCC counselling choices, keep these points in mind:
- Don’t base your decision only on the previous year’s cut-off. It changes every year depending on the NEET difficulty level, the number of applicants, seat availability, and counselling trends.
- Fill choices based on your NEET rank, not just your preferred college. A balanced preference list gives you a better chance of securing a seat.
- Include realistic options. If your NEET rank isn’t high enough for AIIMS or JIPMER, ESIC Medical Colleges can still be an excellent choice.
- Check the latest MCC counselling schedule and seat matrix before locking your preferences, as seat availability may change each year.
FAQ'S
No. AIIMS and JIPMER no longer have separate entrance exams for MBBS admission. Students are admitted based on their NEET UG score, followed by the MCC counselling process.
AIIMS and JIPMER usually close at much higher NEET ranks because they have fewer seats and attract top-ranking candidates from across the country. ESIC Medical Colleges generally have comparatively lower cut-offs, making them a practical option for many students during counselling.
If your NEET rank gives you the opportunity, AIIMS and JIPMER are among the top choices because of their academic reputation and clinical exposure. ESIC Medical Colleges are also a good option, especially if you’re looking for a government MBBS seat with comparatively lower admission cut-offs. The better choice is the one that matches your rank and counselling options.
Yes. If you get an ESIC college in Round 1 or Round 2, you can accept the seat and opt for upgradation on the MCC portal. If your rank qualifies for AIIMS or JIPMER in Round 2 or Round 3, MCC will automatically upgrade your seat and cancel your previous ESIC allotment. However, once you report to and secure a seat in Round 3, you cannot resign or upgrade further.