The National Medical Commission (NMC) has released the final MBBS seat matrix for the academic year 2026-27. According to the latest data, India now has 1,36,939 MBBS seats across 823 medical colleges, excluding seats offered by Institutes of National Importance (INIs).
The updated seat matrix includes renewed seats, newly approved medical colleges, and increased intake capacity at existing institutions. This expansion aims to provide more opportunities for medical aspirants seeking admission through the NEET UG counselling process.
Nearly 10,000 New MBBS Seats Added
The Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) under the NMC has approved 9,911 additional MBBS seats for the upcoming academic session. Meanwhile, 1,27,028 seats have been renewed, bringing the total number of available MBBS seats to 1,36,939.
The increase comes through the approval of new medical colleges and expansion of seat capacity in existing colleges. Consequently, more students will have access to undergraduate medical education across different states and institutions.
Medical Colleges Must Follow Approved Seat Limits
The NMC has instructed all medical colleges to admit students only against the number of seats approved by the Medical Assessment and Rating Board. Colleges cannot exceed their approved intake capacity during the admission process.
Furthermore, institutions that received approval for new colleges or increased MBBS seats must submit the required Electronic Bank Guarantee (E-Bank Guarantee) within the specified timeline. The NMC will issue the Letter of Permission (LoP) only after verifying the submitted documents.
State-Wise Distribution of MBBS Seats
The newly released seat matrix provides details of MBBS seats across different states and medical colleges. Several states have recorded an increase in their medical seats due to newly approved institutions and expanded intake capacity.
For example, Andhra Pradesh has received an increase in MBBS seats, while other states such as Bihar, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra have also witnessed additions in medical education capacity.
As per Medical Dialogues, the final seat matrix released by the NMC includes approvals granted for establishing new MBBS colleges and increasing the intake capacity of existing medical colleges for the 2026-27 academic year. The publication also highlighted that the updated list covers both renewed seats and newly added seats approved by the regulatory authority.
Guidelines Issued for Medical Admissions
Following the release of the seat matrix, the NMC has directed medical colleges and counselling authorities to strictly follow the approved seat numbers. Admissions made beyond the sanctioned intake will be considered a violation of regulatory provisions and may invite action against the concerned institution.
Therefore, medical colleges and admission authorities must ensure complete compliance with NMC regulations during the counselling and admission process for the 2026-27 academic session.
Conclusion
The addition of nearly 10,000 MBBS seats marks a significant expansion of medical education capacity in India. With more seats available across 823 medical colleges, aspiring doctors will have increased opportunities to pursue undergraduate medical education in the upcoming academic year.