The Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune, has been ranked the No. 1 medical college in Maharashtra and third nationally in the India Today–MDRA Best Medical Colleges Ranking 2026, further strengthening its position as one of India's leading institutions for medical education. AFMC also emerged as the highest-ranked government medical college with the lowest fee structure in the country.
The institution's strong overall performance was supported by high scores across key evaluation parameters. AFMC secured second place nationally in Career Progression & Placements and ranked third in both the Objective Score and Perceptual Score, reflecting its academic excellence, faculty strength, research capabilities, infrastructure and emphasis on professional ethics and leadership development.
The achievement comes under the guidance of Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS), and the leadership of Lieutenant General Pankaj P. Rao, Director and Commandant & Colonel Commandant, Army Medical Corps, along with Major General Atul Seth, VSM, Dean and Deputy Commandant, AFMC.
In addition to the India Today-MDRA rankings, AFMC has also secured the fifth position nationally in THE WEEK–Hansa Research Survey 2026. The college was recognised as the top-ranked medical college in the Western Zone, reinforcing its leadership in medical education and military healthcare training.
According to the institution, the rankings recognise AFMC's sustained focus on academic rigour, research excellence, high-quality patient care and holistic student development. The college continues to invest in state-of-the-art infrastructure, clinical training and research while fostering discipline, leadership and character development among future medical professionals.
The latest rankings underscore AFMC's continued role in producing highly skilled, mission-ready medical officers for the Armed Forces while contributing to India's broader healthcare ecosystem through excellence in education, research and clinical practice.
