NMC approves 13,186 new MBBS seats for 2026-27, total intake reaches 1.4 lakh

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has expanded the MBBS seat pool for the 2026-27 academic session, approving 13,186 additional seats across 27 states and Union Territories.

The latest seat matrix takes the total approved undergraduate medical intake to 140,214 seats across 836 medical colleges, excluding seats at Institutes of National Importance (INIs). The revised figures include approvals for new medical colleges as well as higher intake in existing institutions.

The expansion comes as NEET-UG 2026 counselling is underway, with the admission schedule extending into October as subsequent rounds, including the stray vacancy round, are expected to continue.

Private medical colleges account for most of the increase. Of the 13,186 newly approved seats, 10,400 have been added across 391 private colleges, while government institutions have received 2,786 additional seats across 445 colleges. The overall intake has risen about 10.4% from 127,028 seats.

Karnataka has recorded the largest increase, with 1,650 new MBBS seats. Tamil Nadu follows with 1,250, while Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have added 1,240 and 1,200 seats, respectively. Rajasthan has received 1,100 additional seats, Telangana 1,010 and West Bengal 975.

Karnataka now has 15,745 MBBS seats across 76 medical colleges, including 4,600 seats in government institutions and 11,145 in private colleges. Tamil Nadu's total stands at 14,299 seats, while Uttar Pradesh has 14,400 and Maharashtra has 13,249.

Other additions include 550 seats in Maharashtra, 525 in Andhra Pradesh, 520 each in Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand, 350 in Haryana, 300 in Kerala and 250 in Gujarat. Puducherry and Uttarakhand have added 200 seats each, while Jammu and Kashmir has received 175 additional seats.

The latest matrix also records smaller increases in several regions. Assam, Odisha and Sikkim have each added 100 seats, while Chandigarh, Goa, Punjab and Tripura have added 50 seats each. Manipur has received 25 additional seats and Himachal Pradesh one.

Seven states and Union Territories have recorded no increase in the revised matrix. They are Delhi, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. Their seat totals remain unchanged.

The additional seats increase the number of MBBS options available to NEET-UG candidates during the current admission cycle, although availability will depend on the counselling process and the approved seat matrix.

The NMC has directed counselling authorities to strictly follow the notified matrix. Any discrepancy or deviation must be referred to the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB), and counselling bodies cannot permit admissions beyond the number of seats approved by the regulator.

Medical colleges have also been cautioned against admitting students beyond their sanctioned intake, as admissions exceeding the approved capacity can lead to regulatory action.

The expansion comes as the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) processes NEET-UG 2026 counselling, including the Round 2 allotment process for MBBS and BDS seats under the All India Quota and other categories handled through the committee.