Before counselling
- Read the Medical Counselling Committee schedule and your state's counselling rules (checked 2026-10-28).
- List colleges realistically reachable with your rank using previous rounds' official data.
Checklist for each college
- Recognition — confirm on the National Medical Commission site.
- Fees and deposits — use the official fee notice only.
- Service bonds — some states and colleges require service after graduation.
- Hospital — bed count and patient flow affect learning.
- Location and living costs.
- Faculty and infrastructure — talk to current students.
If you don't get a seat
Consider a gap year only with a clear plan, or explore allied health careers that keep your options open.
Deciding whether it fits you
A field can look exciting from the outside and still be a poor fit. Before committing, talk to two or three people already doing the work, try a short course or project, and notice whether the day-to-day tasks energise or drain you. A structured conversation with a mentor can help you compare options against your interests, abilities and values rather than trends alone.