9,197 MBBS Seats Added—But Is NEET 2025 Still a Fair Race?

9,197 MBBS Seats Added—But Is NEET 2025 Still a Fair Race?

By Ankit Mahto, Inspired by the voices of Dhruv Rathee, Neil Patel, Maria Popova, and Thomas Frank

"Imagine running a marathon where the finish line keeps moving. You prepare. You push yourself. And when you think you've reached it—someone changes the rules. That, my friend, is NEET for many aspirants in India."

It was a humid July evening in Kota when Aarav, a 17-year-old NEET aspirant, received the news: 9,197 new MBBS seats would be added for NEET 2025. His coaching center erupted in cheers, his WhatsApp lit up with forward messages, and hope glimmered across his tired eyes.

But Aarav didn't celebrate. Not yet. Because he knew something most didn't.

This is not just a story about numbers. This story concerns fairness, access, and a race that may still be tilted.

The Good News: 9,197 MBBS Seats Added Nationwide

Let's start with the fact sheet. In an unprecedented move, the National Medical Commission (NMC) announced the addition of 9,197 MBBS seats across various government and private medical colleges. Rajasthan alone saw an increase of 900 seats, with several new medical colleges being approved.

At face value, this is a remarkable shift. More seats mean more opportunities, fewer heartbroken aspirants, and perhaps a marginal dip in the infamous cut-offs.

But dig a little deeper, and you find a web of contradictions and concerns.

More Seats, Same System: Does Quantity Equal Equity?

Here's the kicker—adding seats doesn't necessarily make the race fairer. If you view NEET as a funnel, it's just been made marginally wider, not restructured.

Despite the seat hike, over 2 million students are expected to sit for NEET 2025. The increase barely touches the surface of demand.

Moreover, not all seats are created equal:

• Private colleges charge exorbitant fees, often pushing aspirants into lifelong debts.
• Rural students still face digital and infrastructural challenges, even with Online Coaching for NEET becoming popular.
• Reservation dynamics remain complex and often contentious.

So, while the headline screams "opportunity," the footnotes whisper "inequality."

The Coaching Conundrum: Has NEET Become a Pay-to-Win Game?

Let's talk coaching.

In 2023, a report by the India Today group found that over 75% of successful NEET aspirants had access to premium coaching—most costing upwards of INR 1.5 lakh per year.

While Online Coaching for NEET has democratized access to some extent, the quality varies wildly.

But there's a silver lining. The rise of niche, personalized options like an Online Chemistry Teacher for NEET is quietly transforming the game. Many students now choose one-on-one mentoring in challenging subjects like chemistry, where conceptual clarity is key.

Still, the question looms large:

Is NEET evaluating talent or testing access to resources?

The Data Doesn't Lie: What the Numbers Say

Here's a contrarian take: More seats may increase the pressure.

Why?

• More competition per rank tier. With more colleges, students have more options, which paradoxically increases expectations.
• Higher dependency on exact percentiles. Even with seat expansions, top-tier government colleges remain elusive unless you rank in the top 1%.
• Tie-breaking complexity. NTA has already revised its tie-breaking criteria, but many believe it still doesn't address merit holistically.

So, while 9,197 sounds huge, it barely nudges the odds for someone in the bottom 90 percentile.

Real-Life Case Study: Priya and the NEET Dream

Priya, a farmer's daughter from Bihar, scored 630 in NEET 2023. She missed her dream college by just 2 marks.

Despite her excellent performance, she couldn't afford a private seat. Her only option was to drop a year, work with an Online Chemistry Teacher for NEET, and try again.

Her story isn't unique.

For thousands, NEET isn't just a test. It's a socioeconomic checkpoint.

So, What Would Make NEET Truly Fair?

Let's shift from critique to construction. Here's what could level the playing field:

1. Transparent Counselling Systems - Many seats go vacant due to poor counseling communication.
2. Affordable Coaching Access - More government-funded or subsidized Online Coaching for NEET platforms.
3. State-Specific Scholarships - Encourage local talent to pursue medicine within their region.
4. Subject-Specific Mentoring - Expanding access to niche resources like Online Chemistry Teachers for NEET to help students bridge weak spots.
5. Mental Health Support - With rising student suicides in Kota and elsewhere, psychological help is no longer optional.

The Metaphor That Explains It All

Picture a ladder.

NEET, ideally, should be that ladder—fair and sturdy. But for many, it's more like a rope: loose, unstable, and easier to climb if you have someone holding it for you.

We need to build ladders, not tighten ropes.

A Final Word to Students

If you're preparing for NEET 2025, don't get distracted by shiny numbers.

Seats don't guarantee success—preparation, perspective, and persistence do.

Use the best tools at your disposal. Enrol in an Online Chemistry Teacher for NEET. Join Online Coaching for NEET that matches your learning style. Focus on conceptual clarity, not just score inflation.

And remember: The system may not be perfect. But your preparation can be.