NMC Adds 13,186 MBBS Seats for 2026-27 Medical Admissions
The NMC has approved 13,186 new MBBS seats for 2026-27, taking the total intake to 1,40,214 across 836 medical colleges.
The National Medical Commission (NMC) has approved 13,186 new MBBS seats for the 2026-27 academic year. This takes the total approved undergraduate medical intake to 1,40,214 seats across 836 medical colleges.
The figure does not include seats at Institutes of National Importance, or INIs. The updated seat matrix covers approvals for new medical colleges and higher intake at existing colleges.
What the new MBBS seat count means
The total intake has increased from 1,27,028 renewed seats to 1,40,214 seats. This is a rise of about 10.4%. For students taking part in NEET-UG counselling, the increase means more seats may be available in the 2026-27 admission cycle.
However, an increase in approved seats does not mean every student will get a medical seat. Allocation will depend on NEET-UG rank, category, domicile rules, college choices and the counselling process. In simple terms, the door is wider, but students still need the right key.
Private colleges account for most new seats
Private medical colleges have added 10,400 seats, which is nearly 79% of the total increase. Government medical colleges have added 2,786 seats.
This split matters because fees, admission rules and financial planning can vary greatly between government and private colleges. Students and parents should check the official fee details and seat category before locking their choices during counselling.
States with the highest increase
Karnataka has recorded the largest rise, with 1,650 additional MBBS seats. Tamil Nadu follows with 1,250 seats, while Bihar has added 1,240 seats. Uttar Pradesh has added 1,200 seats and Rajasthan has added 1,100 seats.
Telangana has increased its intake by 1,010 seats, while West Bengal has added 975 seats. Other major changes include:
- Maharashtra: 550 seats
- Andhra Pradesh: 525 seats
- Madhya Pradesh: 520 seats
- Jharkhand: 520 seats
- Haryana: 350 seats
- Kerala: 300 seats
- Gujarat: 250 seats
- Puducherry and Uttarakhand: 200 seats each
- Jammu and Kashmir: 175 seats
Karnataka remains the largest contributor
Karnataka now has a total MBBS intake of 15,745 seats. This includes 4,600 seats in government colleges and 11,145 seats in private colleges.
Tamil Nadu has 14,299 seats, Uttar Pradesh has 14,400 seats and Maharashtra has 13,249 seats. These states remain important choices for students because of their large number of medical colleges and seats.
Some regions show no increase
The NMC seat matrix shows no increase in Delhi. Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli have also recorded no additional MBBS seats.
A zero increase does not mean that these regions have no medical colleges or seats. It means the approved intake has not changed in the latest update.
NEET-UG counselling schedule and seat checks
NEET-UG counselling for the 2026-27 MBBS batch is under way. The counselling schedule has pushed back the start of the academic session. Further rounds, including the stray vacancy round, may continue into October.
Students should check the latest counselling notices before making decisions. They should confirm the college name, course, seat type, fee, bond rules and reporting date. The seat matrix can change the options shown during counselling, so relying on old lists may lead to confusion.
The NMC has also stated that colleges must admit students only up to the number of seats approved in the official matrix. Admissions beyond the approved intake can lead to regulatory action. Students should therefore verify every seat through the official NMC and counselling portals before paying fees or reporting to a college.
