Karnataka MBBS Seat Reservations 2026 and Medical College Seat Distribution

Out of the 13,944 total MBBS seats in Karnataka 2026, 4,113 MBBS seats are government seats. This includes the 15% AIQ seats (637) and 85% seats (3,476 Karnataka MBBS seat reservations 2026) in government medical colleges.

There are 10,559 total MBBS seats in Karnataka 2026 for state counselling. This includes 3,476 MBBS seats, which are the 85% seats in government medical colleges (Karnataka MBBS seat reservations in 2026), 6,895 MBBS seats in private colleges, and 188 MBBS seats with government quota fee structure across 6 deemed universities. This article provides a breakdown of the Karnataka MBBS seat reservations in 2026, which include 3,476 (85%) MBBS seats in government medical colleges under state (KEA) counselling.

Karnataka MBBS Seat Reservations 2026 and Medical College Seat Distribution

There are a total of 24 government, 36 private, and 12 deemed medical colleges, bringing the total to 72 medical colleges in the state of Karnataka in 2026. 85% of the seats in government medical colleges are reserved for candidates hailing or domiciled from Karnataka. The NEET 2026 counselling for the 85% MBBS seats in government medical colleges across Karnataka is conducted by the state, in accordance with the regulations from MCC. Candidates must be aware of the Karnataka MBBS seat reservations in 2026 and the medical college seat distribution.

 

Also Read Karnataka State New Medical Colleges and MBBS Seat Increase 2026 Proposal

Karnataka MBBS Seat Reservations 2026 for 85% Government Seats

 

Here’s an analysis of the Karnataka MBBS seat reservations in 2026 for 85% government seats in medical colleges across Karnataka:

 

There are four Karnataka MBBS seat reservations in 2026 for 85% government seats in medical colleges, which include general seats, Hyderabad-Karnataka seats, special category seats, and Government NRI/Management seats. The general seat category tops the table with 2,369 total MBBS seats in Karnataka 2026. This is 68.15% of the total 85% medical college seat distribution in government institutes across Karnataka. This is followed by the Hyderabad-Karnataka seats category with 855 total MBBS seats in Karnataka 2026 (24.59%). 5.63% of the total MBBS seats in Karnataka 2026, which are 195 seats, are reserved for the special category. There are 57 total MBBS seats in Karnataka 2026(1.63%) reserved for the Government NRI/Management quota. All these figures collectively add up to 3,476 total MBBS seats in Karnataka 2026 under the 85% medical college seat distribution in government medical colleges.

 

Also Read Karnataka Government's Proposal for 5 New Medical Colleges in 2026

 

Karnataka MBBS Seat Reservations in 2026

The Karnataka MBBS seat reservations in 2026 are set in place by the government to give equal opportunities to both meritorious and backward class candidates. There are two major Karnataka MBBS seat reservations in 2026 for government seats in Karnataka, vertical and horizontal. Understanding the differences between the two Karnataka MBBS seat reservations in 2026 helps candidates make better decisions during the application process.

 

Vertical Karnataka MBBS Seat Reservations in 2026

The vertical reservation type includes categories such as Other Backward Classes (OBC), Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and General Merit (GM). The purpose of the vertical Karnataka MBBS seat reservations in 2026 is to provide equal opportunities to candidates from all categories aspiring to pursue medical education.

 

Here’s a breakdown of the vertical Karnataka MBBS seat reservations in 2026:

 

44% of the total government MBBS seats in Karnataka are reserved for the General Merit (GM) category, the highest among other categories. This is followed by the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category, with 32% government MBBS seats in Karnataka. The Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) have 17% and 7% government MBBS seats, respectively, in Karnataka.

 

Also Read Karnataka NEET Cut Off 2025 for General, OBC, SC, and ST Categories

 

Vertical Karnataka MBBS Seat Reservations in 2026 for Special Categories

 

Special categories are Karnataka MBBS seat reservations in 2026 for Physically Disabled (PH), Jammu & Kashmir migrant (JK), National Cadet Corps (NCC), Sports (SPO), Scouts & Guides (S&G), Defense (D), Ex-Defense (XD), Anglo-Indian (AGL), and Central Armed police Forces (CAP). Some portion of the MBBS seats in vertical reservation categories (in the table above) are reserved for the special categories. Here is a breakdown of the medical college seat distribution for each special category:

 

 

A total of 329 MBBS seats are available for candidates applying under the special category in Karnataka for the 2026 session. 263 MBBS seats, which is 79.93% of the total seats under the special category in Karnataka, are reserved for Physically Disabled (PH) candidates. 7.3% (24) of the total MBBS seats under the special category in Karnataka are reserved for Jammu & Kashmir migrants (JK).

Candidates can apply under their respective categories; however, they must have the required documents to support their category claims.

 

Horizontal Karnataka MBBS Seat Reservations in 2026

 

Horizontal reservation cuts through the vertical reservation. This means that candidates applying under the horizontal Karnataka MBBS seat reservations in 2026 are given priority in all the categories in the vertical reservation (OBC, SC, ST, and GM). For example, if there is a 5% Karnataka MBBS seat reservation in 2026 for Kannada medium candidates, 5% of OBC, 5% of ST, 5% of SC, and 5% of GM seats are reserved for Kannada medium candidates. Here are the categories and reservations under horizontal reservation:

 

 

15% of the seats are reserved for the rural quota in horizontal reservation. 8% of the seats are reserved for the Hyderabad-Karnataka region and 5% seats are reserved for Kannada medium candidates.

Hyderabad-Karnataka (HK) region MBBS Reservation: The colleges that are in the bordering districts of Hyderabad and Karnataka, including Bidar, Gulbarga, Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal, and Bellary, fall under the Hyderabad-Karnataka (HK) region. 70% of the seats across the colleges in the Hyderabad-Karnataka (HK) region are reserved exclusively for the local candidates from these districts.

 

Quick Facts about Government Medical College Seat Distribution in Karnataka

 

Here are some quick facts about government medical college seat distribution in Karnataka:

 

• Government MBBS Seats in Deemed Medical Colleges: Karnataka has 12 deemed universities, 6 of which offer a total of 188 government MBBS seats. The fee structure of these MBBS seats in Karnataka is the same as government quota seats in government institutions. Karnataka and Jharkhand are the only 2 states that offer government MBBS seats in deemed universities.
  
  
• Increase of MBBS Seats for PwD Candidates: There has been an increase in MBBS seats for PwD candidates over the years in Karnataka. Such increases in the number of seats provide opportunities for differently-abled candidates to pursue medical education.
  
  
• Reservation for the Hyderabad-Karnataka Region: 70% of the seats across the colleges in the Hyderabad-Karnataka (HK) region are reserved for the local candidates from these districts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are a few frequently asked questions by candidates:

• How many MBBS seats in Karnataka in 2026?
  The total MBBS seats in Karnataka 2026 are 13,944, which are distributed across 72 medical colleges in the state.
  
  
• How many MBBS seats in Karnataka in 2025?
  There were a total of 12,395 MBBS seats in Karnataka in 2026, which were distributed across 71 medical colleges in the state.
  
  
• How many MBBS seats in Karnataka in 2026 for the General Category under the 85% Government Reservation?
  The total MBBS seats in Karnataka 2026 for the General category under the 85% government quota reservation are 2,369.
  
  
• How many MBBS seats in Karnataka in 2026 for the Hyderabad-Karnataka Seats under the 85% Government Reservation?
  The total MBBS seats in Karnataka 2026 for the Hyderabad-Karnataka category candidates under the 85% government quota reservation are 855.
  

 

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