The National Medical Commission (NMC) has released the approved MBBS seat matrix for the academic year 2026–27, bringing an important update for students preparing for NEET UG 2026 counselling. According to the matrix, India now has 1,36,939 MBBS seats across 823 medical colleges, excluding seats offered by Institutes of National Importance such as AIIMS and JIPMER.
The seat matrix was issued by the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) through a public notice dated July 14, 2026, based on the approved position as of July 13. It includes renewed seats, newly approved medical colleges and increases in the intake capacity of existing institutions.
NMC MBBS Seat Matrix 2026: Key Highlights
Here are the most important numbers announced for the 2026–27 admission session:
| Particular | Details |
| Total medical colleges | 823 |
| Total MBBS seats | 1,36,939 |
| Government medical colleges | 441 |
| Private medical colleges | 382 |
| Government MBBS seats | 63,296 |
| Private MBBS seats | 73,643 |
| Renewed seats | 1,27,028 |
| Newly approved seats | 9,911 |
| New medical colleges | 25 |
| Seats added through new colleges | 2,400 |
The overall MBBS capacity has increased from 1,27,028 seats to 1,36,939 seats, representing the addition of 9,911 seats. This is an increase of approximately 7.8% over the previous approved capacity.
Private Medical Colleges Account for Most New Seats
Private medical institutions have contributed the largest share of the expansion announced for 2026–27.
Government medical colleges now offer 63,296 seats, including 2,111 newly approved seats. Private medical colleges account for 73,643 seats, including 7,800 newly approved seats. Therefore, nearly four out of every five additional seats in the latest expansion have come from private institutions.
Although the increase provides students with more options, candidates must carefully examine the tuition fees, hostel charges, bond requirements, location, hospital facilities and recognition status of private institutions before filling their counselling choices.
25 New Medical Colleges Approved
NMC has approved 25 new medical colleges for the 2026–27 academic year. These colleges together contribute 2,400 MBBS seats.
Of the newly approved institutions:
- Seven are government medical colleges offering 400 seats.
- Eighteen are private medical colleges offering 2,000 seats.
States receiving new colleges include Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Jharkhand, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and West Bengal.
The expansion is expected to provide more regional opportunities for medical aspirants, particularly in states where the number of candidates competing for MBBS admission is significantly higher than the available government seats.
State-Wise MBBS Seats: Leading States in 2026
Karnataka continues to have the highest number of MBBS seats in India. Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of medical colleges, while Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra also remain among the country’s largest medical-education hubs.
The leading states according to the NMC MBBS seat matrix 2026–27 are:
| State | Total MBBS Seats |
| Karnataka | 15,395 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 14,000 |
| Tamil Nadu | 13,999 |
| Maharashtra | 13,099 |
| Telangana | 10,250 |
| Rajasthan | 8,080 |
| Gujarat | 7,750 |
| Andhra Pradesh | 7,465 |
| West Bengal | 7,200 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 6,020 |
Karnataka has 15,395 seats across 75 colleges. Uttar Pradesh offers 14,000 seats across 88 colleges, the highest number of medical institutions among all states. Tamil Nadu offers 13,999 seats, followed closely by Maharashtra with 13,099 seats.
States Recording Major Seat Increases
Karnataka has received the largest increase, with 1,300 additional seats. Tamil Nadu has added 950 seats, Rajasthan 900, West Bengal 825, Telangana 810 and Uttar Pradesh 800.
Bihar has gained 740 seats, while Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand have also recorded notable increases in MBBS capacity.
For students, the increase could create additional possibilities during later counselling rounds. However, it does not guarantee a uniform decline in admission cut-offs. NEET cut-offs will continue to depend on factors such as examination difficulty, candidate performance, category, domicile rules, reservation policies, college preferences and tuition fees.
What Does the Seat Increase Mean for NEET UG 2026 Aspirants?
The addition of nearly 10,000 seats is positive news for candidates seeking MBBS admission in India. More seats can lead to a greater number of choices during All India Quota and state counselling, especially for candidates willing to consider multiple states and different types of institutions.
Students should nevertheless distinguish between the NMC-approved intake and the seats displayed during an individual counselling round. The NMC matrix establishes the approved capacity of medical colleges. Actual seat allocation will be conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee for eligible central and All India Quota seats and by the respective state counselling authorities for state-quota and private-college seats.
Candidates should monitor the official counselling matrix before submitting their choices because seats may be added, removed or modified before or during counselling.
Is the NMC MBBS Seat Matrix 2026 Final?
The July 14 notice provides the approved matrix that counselling authorities are expected to follow. However, NMC has specifically clarified that the matrix may be revised based on decisions taken by the Appeal Committee or another competent authority.
Private colleges approved for a new institution or increased intake have also been asked to submit the required Electronic Bank Guarantee. Their Letter of Permission will be issued after the guarantee is received and found to be in order.
Therefore, students should consider the present matrix an official approved list, but they must check the latest NMC, MCC and state-counselling notifications before finalising their college preferences.
Conclusion
The NMC MBBS seat matrix 2026–27 marks a major expansion in India’s undergraduate medical-education capacity. With 1,36,939 seats across 823 colleges, aspirants have more opportunities than in the previous admission cycle.
Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra continue to offer the largest number of seats, while private colleges have driven most of the latest growth. Candidates should now compare colleges carefully, understand government and private fee structures, follow counselling deadlines and prepare a realistic choice-filling strategy based on their NEET UG rank.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many MBBS seats are available in India for 2026–27?
The NMC-approved matrix lists 1,36,939 MBBS seats across 823 medical colleges. The figure excludes seats offered by Institutes of National Importance such as AIIMS and JIPMER.
2. How many government MBBS seats are available in 2026?
There are 63,296 MBBS seats across 441 government medical colleges in the NMC matrix for 2026–27.
3. How many private MBBS seats are available in 2026?
Private medical colleges account for 73,643 seats across 382 institutions. This is higher than the number of seats available in government colleges.
4. Which state has the highest number of MBBS seats?
Karnataka has the highest number, with 15,395 MBBS seats. Uttar Pradesh follows with 14,000 seats, while Tamil Nadu has 13,999 seats.
5. Can the NMC MBBS seat matrix be revised?
Yes. NMC has stated that the approved matrix may be revised following decisions of the Appeal Committee or another competent authority. Candidates should check the latest counselling seat matrix before choice filling.