Open States for NEET 2026 Counseling: Which States Allow Outsiders for MBBS?

Introduction: The "Domicile" Barrier

You scored 550 marks. You didn't get a government seat in your home state (e.g., Rajasthan or Delhi). Now what?

Most students assume they can only apply to private colleges in their own state.

This is wrong.

There are specific "Open States" in India where students from any state can apply for Private MBBS seats.4 These states are your best "Plan B" to avoid paying ₹1 Crore in Deemed Universities.

This blog categorizes every major state into Open, Closed, or Conditional for NEET 2026.

Open States for NEET 2026 Counseling

1. What is an "Open State"?

An Open State is a state that allows non-domicile students (outsiders) to participate in their state counseling for Private Medical Colleges.⁵

• Government Seats: Always reserved for State Domicile (85%).⁶ Outsiders can only get these via All India Quota (15%).⁷

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• Private Seats: This is where "Open States" matter.⁸

2. Category A: The "Golden" Open States (High Quality / Low Fees)

These are the most competitive open states because they offer high-quality education at affordable rates (₹7 - ₹11 Lakhs).

State	Status	Condition for Outsiders	Verdict
Kerala	OPEN	Eligible for 15% Private Seats. Must register for KEAM (usually in March/April).	#1 Choice for affordability.
Karnataka	OPEN	Eligible for "Open Quota" seats in Private colleges.	Best Quality. High cutoff (540+).
Chhattisgarh	OPEN	Eligible for Private seats. No domicile needed.	Hidden Gem. Low fees.

⚠️ Warning: Kerala registration closes very early (sometimes before NEET exams). If you miss the KEAM form, you are out.

3. Category B: The "Safety Net" Open States (Easy Admission)

If you have a lower score (250 - 450) and a flexible budget, these states are 100% open.

• Uttar Pradesh (UP):

  • Status: 100% Open.

  • Why apply: No domicile restrictions. Massive number of private colleges.

  • The Catch: High security deposit (₹2 Lakhs) required during counseling.

    
    

• Haryana:

  • Status: Open.

  • Why apply: Good option for North Indian students (Delhi/NCR proximity).⁹

    
    

• Bihar:

  • Status: Open.

  • Why apply: Fees are getting competitive; good for lower scores.

    
    

• Himachal Pradesh:

  • Status: Open (for Private Universities like MMU Solan).

4. Category C: The "Confusing" States (Conditional / Semi-Open)

These states are technically open, but have major "Terms & Conditions."

• Maharashtra:

  • Status: CLOSED (mostly).

  • The Rule: Outsiders CANNOT apply for the normal 85% State Quota.¹⁰ You can only apply for the Institutional Quota (15%), which often has NRI-level fees (₹20L - ₹30L+ per year).

    
    

  • Verdict: Don't expect cheap seats here.

    
    

• Madhya Pradesh (MP):

  • Status: Conditional.

  • The Rule: Outsiders are usually allowed only from Round 2 onwards, and only if seats remain vacant after exhausting state candidates.

  • Verdict: Risky. Don't depend on it.

    
    

• West Bengal:

  • Status: Open.

  • The Rule: Open for Management Quota in private colleges, but the application process can be complex.

5. Category D: The "Closed" States (Don't Apply)

Do not waste time waiting for these state forms if you are an outsider. They are strictly for domicile students.

1. Gujarat (Closed - except for NRI).¹¹

   
   

2. Punjab (Closed - except for NRI/Christian Minority).

3. Odisha (Closed).¹²

   
   

4. Assam (Closed).

6. Strategy for NEET 2026

• Score 500 - 580: Focus on Kerala (Apply in April) and Karnataka.

• Score 300 - 500: Focus on Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

• Score < 300: Focus on Deemed Universities (All India Management Quota).

Conclusion: Don't Put All Eggs in One Basket

The biggest mistake students make is registering only for their home state and MCC (All India).

If you have the budget for a private college, you must register for the state counseling of at least 2 "Open States" (e.g., UP + Karnataka) to maximize your chances.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I apply for private medical colleges in Maharashtra if I am from another state?

Technically, yes, but only for the Institutional Quota (15%).14 You are not eligible for the general state quota seats which have lower fees.15 Institutional quota fees are significantly higher (often 3-4x).+1

2. Which is the best open state for low fees?

Kerala is the best open state for low fees (approx. ₹7.5 Lakhs/year), followed closely by Chhattisgarh. However, Kerala requires you to register for the KEAM exam months before the NEET results.

3. Is Karnataka an open state for NEET?

Yes, Karnataka is an open state.16 Non-domicile students can apply for the "Open Quota" seats in private colleges.17 These seats are highly coveted due to the high quality of education and reasonable fees (~₹11 Lakhs/year).+1

4. Do I need a domicile certificate for Uttar Pradesh (UP) counseling?

No. If you are applying for Private Medical Colleges in UP, you do not need a UP domicile certificate.18 It is 100% open to students from all over India.