The National Medical Commission (NMC), through its Medical Assessment & Rating Board (MARB), has officially issued the updated state-wise seat matrix for Undergraduate MBBS courses for the Academic Year 2026–27 (as of September 1, 2026).
This update incorporates approvals, renewals, and capacity expansions granted by the MARB, the 1st Appeal Committee of the NMC, and the 2nd Appeal Committee under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoH&FW).
Key Highlights of the AY 2026–27 MBBS Seat Matrix
The consolidated matrix covers both government and private medical institutions across India (excluding Institutes of National Importance like AIIMS and JIPMER):
- Total Medical Colleges Included: 836 colleges across all States and Union Territories.
- Overall MBBS Seats Available: 140,214 seats approved for the 2026–27 academic session.
- Government Sector: 445 government colleges account for 63,971 MBBS seats (including 2,786 newly increased seats).
- Private Sector: 391 private institutions provide 76,243 seats (including 10,400 increased seats).
- Total Capacity Expansion: 13,186 additional seats were sanctioned across existing and newly established institutions.
State-Wise Summary: Top States by MBBS Intake
Several major states lead the seat distribution for the 2026–27 academic session:
- Karnataka: Leads the nation with 15,745 total seats across 76 medical colleges (4,600 government and 11,145 private).
- Uttar Pradesh: Features 14,400 total seats across 92 institutions (5,700 government and 8,700 private).
- Tamil Nadu: Offers 14,299 total seats distributed across 78 colleges (5,349 government and 8,950 private).
- Maharashtra: Holds 13,249 total seats across 87 colleges (6,000 government and 7,249 private).
- Telangana: Follows with 10,450 total seats across 66 colleges.
- Rajasthan: Provides 8,280 total seats across 51 medical colleges.
Important Directives for Colleges & Counselling Authorities
Along with the seat distribution, the NMC issued strict compliance protocols under the National Medical Commission Act, 2019:
- Strict Intake Cap: Colleges must admit candidates strictly within their sanctioned intake capacity. Any excess admission will attract legal and regulatory penalties under the NMC Act.
- Bank Guarantee Compliance: Private colleges granted new establishment or seat expansions must submit the mandatory Electronic Bank Guarantee (E-Bank Guarantee) to the MARB within seven days of the notice. Letters of Permission (LoP) remain contingent upon this verification.
- Counselling Coordination: Central and state counselling committees are instructed to adhere strictly to this matrix. Any identified discrepancies must be flagged to the MARB before counselling rounds commence.
What This Means for NEET UG Aspirants
With the addition of over 13,000 seats and multiple newly established government and private medical colleges, the competition landscape for NEET UG counselling shifts significantly. Candidates are advised to review the official NMC portal and the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) guidelines when locking college preferences during state and all-India quota counselling rounds.
Disclaimer: Seat numbers are subject to revisions based on ongoing reviews and official directives issued by competent regulatory authorities. Candidates should verify live updates through the official MCC and NMC portals.
