The National Medical Commission (NMC) has released the MBBS seat matrix for the 2026-27 academic session. According to the latest matrix, India will have 1,36,939 MBBS seats across 823 medical colleges, excluding Institutes of National Importance.
A total of 9,911 MBBS seats have been added for the new academic session. Of these, 2,400 seats will come from 25 newly approved medical colleges, while the remaining 7,511 seats will be added through increased intake capacity in existing colleges.
The expansion may provide more opportunities for NEET UG 2026 candidates. However, admission will still depend on factors such as NEET rank, category, state quota, college preference, counselling rules and fee affordability.
NMC MBBS Seat Matrix 2026-27
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Total MBBS seats | 1,36,939 |
| Total medical colleges | 823 |
| Additional MBBS seats | 9,911 |
| New medical colleges | 25 |
| Seats from new colleges | 2,400 |
| Seats added in existing colleges | 7,511 |
| Government MBBS seats | 63,296 |
| Private MBBS seats | 73,643 |
| Existing seats retained | 1,27,028 |
The figures are based on the MBBS seat matrix issued by the Medical Assessment and Rating Board for the 2026-27 academic session. Institutes of National Importance are not included in this matrix.
How 9,911 Seats Have Been Added
The total addition of 9,911 MBBS seats has come from two sources:
| Source of increase | MBBS seats |
|---|---|
| 25 new medical colleges | 2,400 |
| Increased intake in existing colleges | 7,511 |
| Total additional seats | 9,911 |
Therefore, the entire increase has not come from newly established medical colleges. A larger portion of the expansion has been created by increasing the approved intake in existing institutions.
25 New Medical Colleges Approved
The NMC has approved 25 new medical colleges for the 2026-27 academic session. These colleges will collectively offer 2,400 MBBS seats.
| College type | New colleges | MBBS seats |
|---|---|---|
| Government | 7 | 400 |
| Private | 18 | 2,000 |
| Total | 25 | 2,400 |
Private institutions account for the majority of seats being introduced through the new colleges.
However, approval of a medical college does not necessarily mean that students can immediately select it during counselling. Candidates should confirm whether the college has received the required approvals and appears in the latest counselling seat matrix.
Government and Private MBBS Seats
The 2026-27 matrix includes 63,296 government MBBS seats across 441 government medical colleges. Private medical colleges account for 73,643 seats across 382 institutions.
| College type | Colleges | MBBS seats |
|---|---|---|
| Government | 441 | 63,296 |
| Private | 382 | 73,643 |
| Total | 823 | 1,36,939 |
Although government colleges are more numerous, private colleges collectively offer a higher number of MBBS seats.
Students comparing private colleges should consider the complete cost of education, including tuition fees, hostel charges, university fees, examination charges, living expenses and any applicable bond or service conditions.
States With the Highest MBBS Seats
The seat matrix shows significant differences in MBBS capacity across states. Karnataka has the highest number of MBBS seats, followed by Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Telangana.
| Rank | State | MBBS seats |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Karnataka | 15,395 |
| 2 | Uttar Pradesh | 14,000 |
| 3 | Tamil Nadu | 13,999 |
| 4 | Maharashtra | 13,099 |
| 5 | Telangana | 10,250 |
This state-wise distribution may be useful for students who are considering colleges outside their home state.
How Will the Seat Increase Affect NEET UG 2026?
The addition of 9,911 MBBS seats will increase the overall seat pool available during counselling. It may create additional opportunities for candidates, especially in colleges that have increased their intake or in newly approved institutions.
However, the increase in seats will not automatically guarantee admission. A candidate’s chances will continue to depend on:
- NEET UG rank and score
- Category and reservation rules
- State domicile
- All India Quota eligibility
- Government or private college preference
- Choice-filling strategy
- Fee affordability
- Seat movement in different counselling rounds
- Number of candidates and their college preferences
Students should therefore prepare a broad preference list instead of depending on only a few colleges.
Will NEET Cut-Offs Fall?
Not necessarily.
An increase in MBBS seats may improve admission opportunities in some colleges, but cut-offs and closing ranks are influenced by several factors. These include the number of candidates, NEET performance, examination difficulty, reservation categories, state-wise demand, college preference and counselling round.
The effect of the seat increase will become clearer only after the actual counselling process and closing ranks are released.
Will New Colleges Be Available During Counselling?
Students should not assume that every newly approved college will automatically appear in the NEET UG counselling list.
Before adding a new college to the preference list, candidates should verify:
- Whether the college has the required NMC approval
- Whether it appears in the latest counselling seat matrix
- Number of approved MBBS seats
- Attached teaching hospital and clinical facilities
- Fee structure and additional charges
- Hostel and accommodation facilities
- Location and accessibility
- Applicable State Quota or All India Quota
- Latest NMC, MCC or state counselling notification
The seat matrix may be revised because of regulatory decisions, appeals or other competent authority directions. Students should always rely on the latest official notification.
NMC Seat Matrix and Counselling
The NMC seat matrix provides information about approved MBBS intake. The actual admission process is conducted through the relevant counselling authorities.
Depending on the type of seat and college, students may need to participate in:
- MCC counselling for applicable All India Quota and centrally handled seats
- State counselling for state quota seats
- Institutional or special counselling processes, wherever applicable
Candidates should carefully check the counselling notification for registration dates, eligibility requirements, fee payment, choice filling and document verification.
Important Note About INIs
The total of 1,36,939 MBBS seats does not represent every MBBS seat available in India. The NMC matrix excludes Institutes of National Importance, which follow separate admission and counselling arrangements.
Therefore, students should check the scope of every seat dataset before comparing total MBBS seat numbers.
What Should NEET UG 2026 Candidates Do?
Candidates should divide their college preferences into three groups:
Dream Colleges
Colleges where admission may be difficult based on the expected rank but which are still worth including in the choice list.
Realistic Options
Colleges where the candidate’s rank, category, eligibility and fee preference make admission reasonably possible.
Backup Options
Additional colleges that can improve the chances of securing an MBBS seat during later counselling rounds.
A broad and carefully researched choice list can be especially useful because seats may move between rounds due to upgrades, withdrawals and changes in candidate preferences.
Final Thoughts
The approval of 25 new medical colleges and 9,911 additional MBBS seats is a significant development for medical aspirants preparing for the 2026-27 admission cycle.
The total MBBS intake in the latest NMC matrix has reached 1,36,939 seats across 823 medical colleges. However, students should look beyond the headline number.
The 9,911-seat increase includes 2,400 seats from 25 newly approved colleges and 7,511 additional seats created through increased intake at existing colleges. Government colleges account for 63,296 seats, while private colleges account for 73,643 seats.
FAQs
How many MBBS seats have been added for 2026-27?
A total of 9,911 MBBS seats have been added to the 2026-27 NMC seat matrix.
How many new medical colleges have been approved?
The NMC has approved 25 new medical colleges for the 2026-27 academic session.
How many seats will the new colleges offer?
The 25 new colleges will collectively offer 2,400 MBBS seats. Seven government colleges will offer 400 seats, while 18 private colleges will offer 2,000 seats.
What is the total number of MBBS seats in the 2026-27 matrix?
The matrix lists 1,36,939 MBBS seats across 823 medical colleges, excluding Institutes of National Importance.
How many government MBBS seats are available?
There are 63,296 government MBBS seats across 441 government medical colleges.
How many private MBBS seats are available?
There are 73,643 private MBBS seats across 382 private medical colleges.
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- Candidates should confirm whether the college has received the required approvals and appears in the latest counselling seat matrix.
- Students should always rely on the latest official notification.
- <h2 id="important-note-about-inis"Important Note About INIs</h2 The total of 1,36,939 MBBS seats does not represent every MBBS seat available in India.
- Therefore, students should check the scope of every seat dataset before comparing total MBBS seat numbers.
- However, students should look beyond the headline number.