best medical colleges in bihar (2026) - NEET cutoff, fees, rankings, and honest reviews

tldr: top 5 medical colleges in bihar: AIIMS Patna (best infrastructure, NIRF top 15, almost free education), PMCH (155+ years legacy, best clinical exposure, rs 20,000/year), NMCH Patna (second best government college, narayanganj campus), DMCH Darbhanga (strong clinical training, north bihar), and IGIMS Patna (super-specialty focus, growing MBBS program). full breakdown of 15 colleges with NEET cutoffs, fees, seat matrix, and the hard truths below.

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medicine in bihar is not just a career choice. it’s a family project.

every bihari family i know that has a kid preparing for NEET treats it like a multi-year campaign. the stakes are real: a government MBBS seat in bihar costs rs 20,000-50,000 per year. a private seat costs rs 5-15 lakhs per year. the fee difference can be rs 50-70 lakhs over 5.5 years. that’s not a financial gap. that’s a life-altering difference.

i’ve watched this play out with relatives’ children. cousins who cracked NEET and got PMCH. family friends who missed the cutoff by a few marks and faced the private college vs. drop year dilemma. the conversations at family gatherings during NEET season are intense. everybody has an opinion. everybody knows “someone’s son who got AIIMS.”

this guide cuts through the noise. here’s the honest picture of medical education in bihar: which colleges are genuinely good, what the cutoffs really are, what the fees actually cost, and what nobody tells you about studying medicine in this state.

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quick comparison: all 15 colleges

#	college	type	NEET cutoff (gen, approx AIR)	MBBS fee/year	total seats	my rating	best for
1	AIIMS Patna	central govt	under 1,000	rs 1,628	125	9.5/10	best infrastructure
2	PMCH, Patna	state govt	15,000-25,000	rs 20,000-30,000	200	9/10	clinical exposure
3	NMCH, Patna	state govt	30,000-45,000	rs 20,000-30,000	150	8/10	second best govt
4	DMCH, Darbhanga	state govt	40,000-55,000	rs 20,000-30,000	150	8/10	north bihar
5	IGIMS, Patna	state govt	25,000-40,000	rs 30,000-50,000	100	8/10	super-specialty
6	ANMMCH, Gaya	state govt	50,000-70,000	rs 20,000-30,000	100	7.5/10	south bihar
7	SKMCH, Muzaffarpur	state govt	50,000-70,000	rs 20,000-30,000	100	7.5/10	north bihar
8	JLNMCH, Bhagalpur	state govt	55,000-75,000	rs 20,000-30,000	100	7/10	east bihar
9	Lord Buddha Koshi MC, Saharsa	state govt	70,000-1,00,000	rs 20,000-30,000	100	6.5/10	kosi region
10	Govt MC, Bettiah	state govt	70,000-1,00,000	rs 20,000-30,000	100	6.5/10	west champaran
11	Nalanda MC, Bihar Sharif	state govt	70,000-1,00,000	rs 20,000-30,000	100	6.5/10	nalanda district
12	Vardhman MC (new)	state govt	80,000-1,20,000	rs 20,000-30,000	100	6/10	newer govt college
13	KIST Medical College, Kaithani	private	3,00,000+	rs 8-15L	100-150	5/10	private option
14	Narayan Medical College, Sasaram	private	3,00,000+	rs 7-12L	100-150	5/10	rohtas region
15	Other private colleges	private	varies	rs 5-15L	varies	4-5/10	last resort

note: NEET cutoffs are approximate and vary annually based on difficulty, total candidates, and seat matrix. always check the latest counseling data.

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tier 1: nationally recognized

these colleges are respected across india, not just in bihar.

1. AIIMS Patna

phulwarisharif, patna / NEET cutoff: AIR under 1,000 (general) / fees: rs 1,628/year / seats: 125 / 9.5/10

AIIMS Patna is what happens when central government money meets bihar’s medical needs. established in 2012 as one of the 6 new AIIMS under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana, it has rapidly become the gold standard for medical education and healthcare in bihar.

what makes it work:

• infrastructure that matches delhi hospitals. modern OPDs, advanced imaging (MRI, CT, PET-CT), modular operation theaters, ICUs with international-grade equipment. this is infrastructure that most bihar hospitals can’t dream of
• AIIMS brand. the degree says “AIIMS.” for NEET PG, job applications, and career progression, this is the strongest possible brand from bihar
• virtually free education. rs 1,628 per year. that’s not a typo. AIIMS fees are nominal because the central government fully funds the institution. hostel, mess, and other charges exist but are heavily subsidized
• faculty recruited nationally. AIIMS professors are selected through a rigorous national process. the teaching quality is consistently high
• research opportunities. AIIMS Patna has significant research output in tropical medicine, public health, and clinical research. for students interested in academic medicine, this is the best platform in bihar
• super-specialty departments are being added regularly, expanding the clinical exposure available to MBBS students

the reality of getting in:

• AIIMS Patna admission is through NEET, with counseling conducted by AIIMS New Delhi
• general category cutoff: AIR under 500-1,000 (this fluctuates, but it’s extremely competitive)
• OBC-NCL: AIR under 1,500-3,000
• SC/ST: AIR under 5,000-15,000
• total MBBS seats: approximately 125
• essentially, you need to be in the top 0.05% of NEET takers

the catch: it’s extremely hard to get in. the cutoff is so competitive that many bihari students who score well in NEET still don’t make it to AIIMS Patna. the phulwarisharif campus is developing but the surrounding area is still catching up. and being a newer AIIMS (vs. AIIMS Delhi or AIIMS Bhubaneswar), some super-specialty departments are still being established.

verdict: if your NEET rank allows it, AIIMS Patna is the obvious choice. the education is virtually free, the infrastructure is world-class by bihar standards, and the AIIMS degree opens every door in indian medicine. the difficulty is getting that rank.

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2. PMCH (Patna Medical College and Hospital)

ashok rajpath, patna / NEET cutoff: AIR 15,000-25,000 (general, state quota) / fees: rs 20,000-30,000/year / seats: 200 / 9/10

PMCH is legend. established in 1869. one of the oldest medical colleges in india, older than most medical colleges in the world. the building on ashok rajpath has trained doctors for over 155 years. every doctor practicing in bihar, and many across india, has some connection to PMCH. a teacher, a senior, a classmate, someone.

relatives in my family who are in medicine speak about PMCH with a reverence that no other institution in bihar gets. not even AIIMS.

what makes it work:

• clinical exposure that’s unmatched. PMCH hospital sees the highest patient volume in bihar. we’re talking thousands of OPD patients daily. as an MBBS student here, you see more clinical cases in one week than students at many private colleges see in a month. this matters enormously for becoming a competent doctor
• 155+ years of alumni network. the PMCH alumni network is one of the strongest in indian medicine. seniors in every department of every major hospital in india. this network helps with NEET PG preparation, residency placements, and career progression
• the teaching. the clinical teaching at PMCH benefits from the sheer volume and diversity of cases. textbook conditions that students elsewhere read about, PMCH students see in person
• affordable. rs 20,000-30,000/year for one of the best clinical training experiences in eastern india
• location. ashok rajpath, patna. same stretch as NIT Patna. central, connected, accessible

the catch: here’s where the honest part comes in.

• infrastructure is old. the buildings need renovation. the wards are overcrowded. the equipment, while functional, isn’t as modern as AIIMS Patna. the hostels are aged. this is a college that has been operating since the british raj, and some of the infrastructure feels like it
• overcrowding. the hospital serves millions of people from bihar and surrounding states. the OPD can feel chaotic. for students, this means incredible clinical exposure, but it also means the learning environment can be overwhelming
• administrative issues. being a state government college, administrative processes can be slow. transfers, stipend delays, and bureaucratic friction are real complaints from students
• hostel conditions. basic. functional but not comfortable. students often supplement with nearby PGs

verdict: PMCH is the most important medical institution in bihar. full stop. the clinical training is irreplaceable. if you get PMCH through NEET counseling, take it. the infrastructure issues are real, but you’re not going to medical college for the building. you’re going for the patients, the cases, the teaching. and on those parameters, PMCH delivers like few colleges in india can.

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3. NMCH (Nalanda Medical College and Hospital), Patna

kankarbagh/agamkuan, patna / NEET cutoff: AIR 30,000-45,000 (general, state quota) / fees: rs 20,000-30,000/year / seats: 150 / 8/10

NMCH is the “other” government medical college in patna, and calling it that doesn’t do it justice. established in 1960, it has grown into a major medical institution with its own hospital and patient base.

what makes it work:

• good clinical exposure. not as high-volume as PMCH, but NMCH hospital sees significant patient numbers from patna and surrounding districts
• well-established departments. general medicine, surgery, obs-gyn, pediatrics, orthopedics, and other key departments have experienced faculty
• patna location. same city advantages as PMCH. access to everything patna offers
• affordable. government college fees mean the total MBBS cost is under rs 2 lakhs for 5.5 years
• NEET cutoff is more achievable than PMCH or AIIMS, making it accessible to a wider range of students

the catch: similar to PMCH, infrastructure needs investment. the hospital campus in agamkuan/kankarbagh area is functional but aging. the perception gap between PMCH and NMCH is real in the medical community, PMCH graduates sometimes get preferential treatment in the invisible hierarchy of medical networking. but this gap has narrowed significantly.

verdict: excellent government medical college with solid clinical training. if you don’t get PMCH, NMCH is a genuinely good outcome. many successful doctors in bihar are NMCH graduates. the clinical training is thorough, and the fees are nominal.

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4. DMCH (Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital)

laheriasarai, darbhanga / NEET cutoff: AIR 40,000-55,000 (general, state quota) / fees: rs 20,000-30,000/year / seats: 150 / 8/10

DMCH is the medical college of north bihar. established in 1946, it serves the mithilanchal region and beyond. for families in darbhanga, madhubani, samastipur, and surrounding districts, DMCH is the first-choice medical institution.

what makes it work:

• strong clinical training. the hospital serves a massive population from north bihar, jharkhand, and even nepal border areas. the case diversity is excellent
• established departments with experienced faculty, particularly in general surgery, medicine, and obs-gyn
• regional importance. DMCH is the primary referral hospital for most of north bihar. this means complex cases that provide invaluable learning opportunities
• affordable like all bihar government medical colleges

the catch: darbhanga city infrastructure is behind patna. the college campus needs modernization. some students find the location limiting compared to patna-based options, fewer coaching centers for NEET PG preparation, fewer networking opportunities. the city is developing, but it’s not patna.

verdict: if you’re from north bihar or your NEET rank places you here, DMCH is a solid choice. the clinical training is thorough, the legacy is strong, and the regional alumni network is extensive. many family friends from the darbhanga area have studied here and are practicing successfully.

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5. IGIMS (Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences), Patna

sheikhpura, patna / NEET cutoff: AIR 25,000-40,000 (general) / fees: rs 30,000-50,000/year / seats: 100 / 8/10

IGIMS is an interesting case. originally established as a super-specialty hospital, it has evolved into a full-fledged medical college with MBBS and post-graduate programs. the infrastructure reflects this, it was built to be a modern hospital first, and the medical college benefits from that.

what makes it work:

• modern infrastructure. built more recently than PMCH/NMCH, the facilities are noticeably better. modern OTs, better ward infrastructure, newer equipment
• super-specialty focus. departments like cardiology, neurology, nephrology, and gastroenterology are strong. MBBS students get exposure to super-specialty cases that many medical colleges can’t offer
• cleaner, more organized environment compared to the older government colleges
• growing reputation in the medical community

the catch: it’s a newer MBBS program, so the alumni network for MBBS specifically is still developing. fewer MBBS seats (100) compared to PMCH (200) or NMCH (150). the NEET cutoff is lower than PMCH but higher than what you’d expect for a college with less MBBS history.

verdict: great choice if you value infrastructure and super-specialty exposure. the hospital environment is more organized than PMCH/NMCH, and the clinical exposure in super-specialty departments is a genuine advantage. for students who plan to pursue super-specialty medicine (DM/MCh), the IGIMS MBBS experience provides early exposure.

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tier 2: established government colleges

these serve their regions well and provide solid medical education.

6. ANMMCH (Anugrah Narayan Magadh Medical College and Hospital), Gaya

gaya / NEET cutoff: AIR 50,000-70,000 / fees: rs 20,000-30,000/year / seats: 100 / 7.5/10

the medical college for the magadh region. serves gaya, aurangabad, nawada, and jehanabad districts. the hospital is a major referral center for south bihar. clinical exposure is good, especially in medicine, surgery, and orthopedics. gaya as a city has its own charm, proximity to bodh gaya is a bonus.

7. SKMCH (Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital), Muzaffarpur

muzaffarpur / NEET cutoff: AIR 50,000-70,000 / fees: rs 20,000-30,000/year / seats: 100 / 7.5/10

SKMCH gained national attention during the acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) outbreaks in muzaffarpur. that public health crisis, while devastating, also meant the hospital built expertise in managing complex encephalitis and pediatric emergency cases. the clinical experience here in pediatrics and tropical medicine is unique.

8. JLNMCH (Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and Hospital), Bhagalpur

bhagalpur / NEET cutoff: AIR 55,000-75,000 / fees: rs 20,000-30,000/year / seats: 100 / 7/10

the medical college for the anga region of east bihar. serves bhagalpur, banka, and surrounding districts. established institution with experienced faculty in core departments. the ganga-side location in bhagalpur is scenic. clinical exposure is good for a district medical college.

9-12. Newer government medical colleges

Lord Buddha Koshi Medical College (Saharsa), Government Medical College Bettiah, Nalanda Medical College Bihar Sharif, Vardhman Medical College, and others

bihar has been rapidly establishing new government medical colleges across districts. these newer colleges share common characteristics:

• fees: rs 20,000-30,000/year (same as established government colleges)
• seats: 100 per college (contributing to total MBBS seat increase in bihar)
• NEET cutoffs: AIR 70,000-1,20,000 range (more accessible)
• infrastructure: varies, some are purpose-built with decent facilities, others operate from district hospitals with limited infrastructure
• faculty: mix of experienced doctors and newly recruited faculty. faculty recruitment is ongoing
• clinical exposure: depends on the attached hospital’s patient volume. district hospitals in populous areas have decent patient flow

the honest take: these new colleges exist because bihar desperately needed more MBBS seats. the state was producing far fewer doctors per capita than the national average. these colleges are increasing that number. but some of them are still in the “getting established” phase. faculty recruitment, lab setup, library development, and clinical department maturation take 5-10 years. students in the first few batches are essentially pioneers.

should you join a newer government college? if the alternative is a private college at rs 8-15 lakhs/year, absolutely yes. the government college MBBS degree is the same, the fees are negligible, and the clinical experience from a district hospital is often better than a private college hospital. but if you can retake NEET and target PMCH/NMCH/DMCH, that might be worth considering depending on your score gap.

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tier 3: private medical colleges

this is where the conversation gets uncomfortable.

13. KIST Medical College, Kaithani (Patna)

kaithani, patna / NEET cutoff: AIR 3,00,000+ / fees: rs 8-15L/year / seats: 100-150 / 5/10

14. Narayan Medical College, Sasaram

sasaram, rohtas / NEET cutoff: AIR 3,00,000+ / fees: rs 7-12L/year / seats: 100-150 / 5/10

15. Other private medical colleges in bihar

several private medical colleges have been established in bihar in recent years. they range from “genuinely trying” to “degree mills.”

the private college reality in bihar:

• fees: rs 5-15 lakhs per year for MBBS. total cost: rs 25-80 lakhs over 5.5 years. compared to rs 1-2 lakhs total at government colleges, this is a 20-50x price difference
• clinical exposure: dramatically less than government colleges. private hospitals don’t see the patient volume that PMCH, NMCH, or even district hospitals see. less patients = less learning
• faculty: often shared between clinical duties and teaching. dedicated teaching time can be less than at government colleges
• NEET PG preparation: students at government colleges have an advantage because their clinical exposure gives them a deeper understanding of medicine. private college students often need additional coaching for NEET PG
• placement/career: the MBBS degree is the same regardless of college (recognized by NMC). but the informal hierarchy in the medical profession means government college graduates often get better residency preferences

when does a private medical college make sense?

• when the alternative is no medical degree at all (multiple NEET attempts failed)
• when the family can comfortably afford rs 50-80 lakhs (not taking loans that will cripple finances)
• when the student is self-motivated enough to supplement the limited clinical exposure with independent learning
• when the college is NMC-recognized and has been producing graduates for at least 3-4 years (avoid brand-new private colleges with no track record)

when it doesn’t make sense:

• when the family takes massive loans or sells property to fund it. an MBBS degree doesn’t guarantee the income level needed to repay rs 50-80 lakhs quickly
• when the student has a realistic chance of improving their NEET score by 50-100 marks with one more attempt. the financial difference between a government and private seat is worth a year of preparation

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NEET preparation: the bihar context

if you’re reading this as a student or parent planning for NEET:

coaching in bihar: patna has become a significant NEET coaching hub. the same boring road-bailey road corridor that houses BPSC coaching (best BPSC coaching in patna) also has NEET coaching institutes. allen, aakash, PW, and local institutes like target PMT operate in patna.

kota is still the dominant NEET coaching destination nationally, but patna’s coaching ecosystem is improving. for students who can’t afford kota’s living costs, patna-based coaching is a viable alternative.

the state quota advantage: 85% of government medical college seats in bihar are filled through state quota (BCECE counseling for NEET). this means bihar domicile students have a significant advantage. for context:

• PMCH general cutoff through state quota: AIR 15,000-25,000
• the same rank through all india quota might only get you a lower-ranked medical college outside bihar
• bihar domicile + strong NEET score = excellent chances at top bihar government colleges

the numbers game:

• approximately 18-20 lakh students take NEET each year
• bihar has approximately 3,000-4,000 government MBBS seats
• at state quota (85%), approximately 2,500-3,400 seats for bihar students
• getting into government medical college in bihar requires scoring in the top 5-10% of all NEET takers (adjusting for reservation categories)

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fees comparison: the full picture

college type	fees/year	total 5.5 years	monthly stipend (internship)
AIIMS Patna	rs 1,628	rs 9,000	rs 17,000
govt (PMCH, NMCH, DMCH, etc.)	rs 20,000-30,000	rs 1,10,000-1,65,000	rs 12,000-15,000
IGIMS	rs 30,000-50,000	rs 1,65,000-2,75,000	rs 12,000-15,000
newer govt colleges	rs 20,000-30,000	rs 1,10,000-1,65,000	rs 12,000-15,000
private colleges	rs 5-15L	rs 27,50,000-82,50,000	varies

the financial argument for cracking NEET is overwhelming. an improvement of 50-100 NEET marks can mean the difference between a government seat (total cost rs 2 lakhs) and a private seat (total cost rs 50 lakhs). that’s rs 48 lakhs saved. worth another year of preparation? almost always yes.

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NEET PG and post-MBBS options

for MBBS students already in bihar colleges, here’s the post-graduation landscape:

NEET PG preparation:

• PMCH and NMCH students have a significant advantage due to clinical exposure
• coaching for NEET PG is available in patna (marrow/prepladder online courses are popular supplementary resources)
• the clinical experience from bihar government hospitals, dealing with late presentations, limited resources, and high patient volumes, actually prepares you well for the clinical questions in NEET PG

popular PG branches:

• general medicine, general surgery, obs-gyn, pediatrics, orthopedics (core medical branches)
• dermatology, radiology, anesthesia (high demand, competitive cutoffs)
• super-specialties (after MD/MS): cardiology, neurology, nephrology, gastroenterology

career paths after MBBS in bihar:

1. NEET PG and residency at PMCH, NMCH, AIIMS Patna, or colleges outside bihar
2. government service through BPSC medical officer recruitment
3. private practice in bihar (growing demand for qualified doctors)
4. USMLE/PLAB for practicing in USA/UK (several bihar medical graduates take this path)
5. public health/community medicine (bihar has significant public health challenges = significant career opportunities)

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the bigger picture: medical education in bihar

bihar has the worst doctor-to-patient ratio among major indian states. one doctor for approximately 28,000 people against the WHO recommendation of 1:1,000. this is both a crisis and an opportunity.

the state government has been aggressively expanding medical education:

• new government medical colleges in every division
• increased MBBS seats at existing colleges
• infrastructure upgrades at PMCH, NMCH, and district hospitals
• new AIIMS (AIIMS Patna is already operational, and the impact on healthcare delivery has been significant)

for students entering medicine in bihar in 2026, the career prospects are actually excellent. bihar needs doctors badly. the demand is real and growing. government positions offer job security and the satisfaction of serving an underserved population. private practice in growing cities like patna, muzaffarpur, and bhagalpur is viable and increasingly lucrative.

the challenge is getting through the education phase: cracking NEET, surviving the 5.5 years of MBBS, and managing the financial burden (minimal at government colleges, substantial at private ones).

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practical advice

for NEET aspirants:

1. target government colleges. the fee difference is life-changing. another year of NEET preparation is almost always worth it compared to paying rs 50-80 lakhs at a private college
2. use the state quota advantage. if you’re a bihar domicile student, the 85% state quota at government colleges works in your favor
3. consider the newer government colleges. they’re new, yes. but they’re government, they’re cheap, and the MBBS degree is equally valid for NEET PG
4. don’t ignore biology in school. the best schools in patna guide covers schools with strong science programs. a solid school foundation makes NEET preparation easier

for current medical students:

1. focus on clinical learning. bihar’s government hospitals see cases that textbooks describe. learn from the patients
2. start NEET PG preparation early. by 3rd year MBBS, you should be reading with PG entrance in mind
3. build your network. the seniors, the residents, the professors, these connections matter for your entire career
4. stay healthy. medical school is brutal on mental health. the pressure, the long hours, the constant competition. take care of yourself. patna has good hospitals for healthcare access, and maintaining physical fitness through gyms in patna helps with the grind

for parents:

1. government seat = financial freedom. support your child’s NEET preparation properly. good coaching, test series, and study material. the investment of rs 1-3 lakhs in coaching can save rs 50 lakhs in college fees
2. the MBBS degree is the same regardless of government vs. private college. don’t panic if it takes an extra year to crack NEET. the long-term math overwhelmingly favors the government seat
3. mental health matters. NEET preparation is stressful. medical school is stressful. be the support system your child needs
4. cost of living while your child studies in patna is manageable. check the cost of living in patna guide. rs 8,000-12,000/month covers PG, food, and basic expenses

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final word

bihar’s medical education landscape is at an inflection point. AIIMS Patna has set a new standard. PMCH continues to produce some of the most clinically skilled doctors in india. new government colleges are expanding access. and the state’s desperate need for doctors means career opportunities are real.

the path is hard. NEET competition is fierce. medical school is demanding. the residency years are grueling. but for students from bihar who choose medicine, the reward is a career that genuinely matters in a state that genuinely needs them.

every doctor who trained at PMCH and practices in rural bihar is saving lives that would otherwise be lost. that’s not hyperbole. that’s the daily reality of medicine in one of india’s most underserved states.

if medicine is your calling, bihar is both the challenge and the opportunity.

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this post is based on publicly available data from NMC, NEET counseling records, college websites, and conversations with medical students and doctors. fees and cutoffs change annually. always verify from official sources before making admission decisions. last verified: february 2026.

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more on bihar:

• best engineering colleges in bihar - for students choosing between medicine and engineering
• best schools in patna - school planning for future medical aspirants
• best BPSC coaching in patna - some MBBS graduates switch to civil services
• best hospitals in patna - the hospital guide for patients and families
• cost of living in patna - budgeting for medical students and their families
• best PGs in patna - accommodation near medical colleges
• best areas to live in patna - where to live near PMCH, NMCH, AIIMS
• moving to patna guide - the complete relocation guide