Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Manipal, opened its doors on June 30, 1953. The college started with only the pre-clinical section at Manipal and the students had to go to Mangalore for their clinical training. But with the clinical program having commenced at Manipal in 1969, it became a full-fledged independent college. The first college in the private sector, KMC ranks among the top five medical colleges in the country today. Students from 44 countries have graduated from KMC, and the degrees are recognized worldwide. KMC Manipal has consistently been ranked among the top 10 medical colleges in the country. Recognition by the General Medical Council of Great Britain and the Malaysian Medical Council soon followed.