HBT Medical College (Cooper) Review 2026: Cutoff, Fees, Hostels & Juhu Campus
- Tasmiya Shaikh
- 16 hours ago
- 3 min read
1. Introduction: The "Coolest" Campus in Mumbai
If KEM is "History" and Sion is "War Zone", Hinduhridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Medical College (HBTMC)—attached to Dr. R.N. Cooper Hospital—is "Modern Luxury."
Located in the prime suburb of Juhu (Vile Parle West), it is the newest Govt Medical College in Mumbai (Established 2015).
Unlike the crumbling walls of older colleges, Cooper boasts Air-Conditioned Classrooms, new elevators, and a vibe that feels more like a private university.
But being new has its downsides. In this HBT Medical College Review 2026, we analyze if the "Juhu Lifestyle" is worth the slightly lower academic legacy compared to KEM/Nair.
HBT Medical College Review 2026
2. NEET 2026 Cutoff Trends (The "Location" Factor)
Surprise: Many students place Cooper above Sion/Nair simply because they want to live in Juhu/Andheri and avoid the "Old Building" struggles of South/Central Mumbai.
Quota | Category | Closing Rank (AIR) | Safe Score (Est. 2026) |
All India (15%) | General | 4,100 - 4,500 | 670+ |
State (85%) | Open | 9,800 - 10,500 | 660+ |
State (85%) | OBC | 14,000 - 15,500 | 650+ |
State (85%) | SC | 75,000 - 80,000 | 560+ |
State (85%) | ST | 2,40,000+ | 400+ |
📉 Trend: The cutoff is rising fast. Students love the modern infrastructure, pushing the ranks higher every year.
3. Fee Structure 2026
Standard BMC Fee Structure (Affordable).
Component | Annual Fee (Open Category) |
Tuition Fee | ₹ 1,25,700 |
Development Fee | ₹ 5,000 |
Hostel Fee | ₹ 4,000 (Govt Subsidized) |
Other Charges | ₹ 4,000 |
TOTAL (Approx) | ₹ 1.39 Lakhs per year |
4. The "Juhu Hostel" Reality
For years, Cooper had no hostels. That has changed.
✅ The New Hostel (Modern but Crowded)
Infrastructure: The new hostel building is excellent—clean tiles, good elevators, and better hygiene than KEM/Sion.
The Catch: 4 Students per Room.
It follows a "1 BHK" apartment style where 4 students share a unit. It can get cramped, but you have your own washroom (unlike common toilets in other colleges).
Location: It is inside/near the campus in Juhu. Living in Juhu for ₹4,000/year is a miracle in itself.
❌ No Playground
The biggest con of HBTMC is the lack of a proper playground. The campus is small compared to JJ or even Nair's Gymkhana.
5. Academics & Patient Load
Infrastructure: Best in Mumbai Govt colleges. AC Lecture Halls, Digital Libraries, and clean corridors.
Patient Load: High. Cooper is the main hospital for the Western Suburbs (Andheri/Juhu/Versova).
Comparison: You will see fewer "Referral Cases" (Rare diseases) compared to KEM, but for an MBBS level, the load is more than enough to tire you out.
Faculty: Many professors are transferred from KEM/Sion/Nair, so the teaching quality is top-notch.
6. Comparison: Cooper vs. Sion vs. Nair
Feature | HBT Medical College (Cooper) | LTMMC (Sion) | TNMC (Nair) |
Infrastructure | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Modern, AC) | ⭐⭐ (Old) | ⭐⭐⭐ (Decent) |
Location | Juhu (Posh Area) | Sion (Crowded) | Mumbai Central |
Hostel | 4-Sharing (New) | No Hostel (1st Yr) | Sea Facing (Haji Ali) |
Patient Load | High | Extreme (Trauma) | High |
Legacy | New (Est. 2015) | Established (1964) | Established (1921) |
Vibe | "Private College" feel | "Hardcore Govt" feel | Balanced |
7. Final Verdict: Who Should Join?
Join Cooper if: You care about Hygiene and Infrastructure. You want AC classrooms, a posh location (Juhu), and don't mind a slightly newer alumni network.
Avoid Cooper if: You want a massive sports ground or the "Heritage Legacy" of KEM/JJ.
Action: Cooper is the smartest choice for students who want comfort + Govt Tag.
FAQ Schema
1. Is HBT Medical College (Cooper) good for MBBS?
Yes, it is excellent for students who prefer modern infrastructure. Unlike older govt colleges, HBTMC has air-conditioned lecture halls and newer hostel buildings. The patient load in Cooper Hospital is very high, serving the entire Western Suburbs.
2. Does Cooper Hospital have a hostel for MBBS students?
Yes, HBTMC now provides hostel facilities. The accommodation is usually in a 1-BHK apartment style, shared by 4 students. While crowded, the rooms have attached washrooms and are much cleaner than older colleges like KEM.
3. What is the cutoff rank for Cooper Hospital 2026?
For the State Quota, the safe rank is around 9,800 - 10,500 (AIR). For All India Quota, it closes around 4,500. The cutoff is high due to its prime location in Juhu.
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