Bihar NEET-PG 2026 Seat Matrix: 386 MD/MS, 95 DNB & Diploma Seats

Bihar's Combined Entrance Competitive Examination Board (BCECEB) has released the official seat matrix for PGMAC-2026, the state-quota NEET-PG counselling for the 2026–27 academic session. The matrix details 386 MD/MS degree seats across 9 government medical colleges, 95 DNB (Diplomate of National Board) and diploma seats reserved for in-service government doctors, and 648 seats at private medical colleges. Each seat is broken down by category — Unreserved (UR), Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), Extremely Backward Class (EBC), Backward Class (BC), Religiously and Culturally Grouped (RCG), Economically Weaker Section (EWS), and Disabled Quota (DQ). This matrix is the foundation for all counselling rounds and determines where you can apply and which seats are available in your category.

What is the Seat Matrix and Why It Matters

The seat matrix is an official document that lists every postgraduate medical seat available in Bihar for the 2026–27 academic year, broken down by college, specialty, and category. It is the blueprint for all NEET-PG counselling rounds — your rank, category, and choices will be matched against this matrix to determine which seat you are offered.

Without the seat matrix, you would not know how many seats exist in your category at each college, or which specialties have seats available. This document is released before counselling begins so candidates can plan their choices strategically. The matrix covers three types of seats: state-quota seats at government colleges (filled through PGMAC counselling), DNB and diploma seats for in-service government doctors, and seats at private medical colleges.

Government Medical Colleges: 386 State-Quota MD/MS Seats

Bihar has 9 government medical colleges offering postgraduate MD and MS degree courses. The total state-quota seats available are 386, distributed across all specialties and categories. These seats are filled through PGMAC counselling based on your NEET-PG rank and category.

The 9 colleges are: Patna Medical College (PMC Patna), Nalanda Medical College (NMC Patna), Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS Patna), Darbhanga Medical College (DMC Darbhanga), Shri Krishna Medical College (SKMC Muzaffarpur), Akhil Nath Mishra Medical College (ANMMC Gaya), Jyoti Lal Nath Medical College (JLNMC Bhagalpur), Bihar Medical Institute and Medical Sciences (BMIMS Pawapuri, Nalanda), and Gyan Medical College (GMC Bettiah).

Each college offers multiple specialties — from basic sciences (Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pathology, Microbiology, Pharmacology) to clinical specialties (General Medicine, Surgery, Paediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Anaesthesiology, Radiology, ENT, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Psychiatry, and others). The number of seats per specialty varies by college and category.

• PMC Patna: 100 seats across 21 specialties
• NMC Patna: 59 seats across 19 specialties
• IGIMS Patna: 56 seats across 20 specialties
• DMC Darbhanga: 76 seats across 18 specialties
• SKMC Muzaffarpur: 15 seats across 9 specialties
• ANMMC Gaya: 21 seats across 14 specialties
• JLNMC Bhagalpur: 38 seats across 17 specialties
• BMIMS Pawapuri: 12 seats across 8 specialties
• GMC Bettiah: 9 seats across 8 specialties

Category-Wise Seat Distribution: Understanding Your Eligibility

The 386 state-quota seats are distributed across eight categories according to Bihar's reservation policy. The distribution percentages are: Unreserved (UR) 26.6%, SC 16%, ST 1%, EBC 18%, BC 12%, RCG 3%, EWS 10%, and Disabled Quota (DQ) 5%. This means that if you belong to a reserved category, you compete only against candidates in your category for those reserved seats.

For example, out of 386 total seats, 103 are Unreserved, 51 are SC, 40 are SC (Female), 21 are ST, 3 are ST (Female), 1 is ST (Female), 47 are EBC, 23 are EBC (Female), 31 are BC, 16 are BC (Female), 11 are RCG, 26 are EWS, 13 are EWS (Female), and 19 are Disabled Quota. The 'F_' prefix (e.g., F_UR, F_SC) indicates seats reserved for female candidates within that category.

⚠️ **Critical trap**: Your category certificate must match the category you claim during counselling. If you claim SC but your certificate shows a sub-caste not recognized as SC in Bihar, your application will be rejected. Similarly, EWS certificates must be issued after a specific date and show income within the limit. Verify your category certificate well before counselling registration opens.

• UR (Unreserved): 103 seats — open to all candidates
• SC (Scheduled Caste): 51 seats + 40 female-specific seats
• ST (Scheduled Tribe): 21 seats + 3 female-specific seats + 1 additional female seat
• EBC (Extremely Backward Class): 47 seats + 23 female-specific seats
• BC (Backward Class): 31 seats + 16 female-specific seats
• RCG (Religiously and Culturally Grouped): 11 seats
• EWS (Economically Weaker Section): 26 seats + 13 female-specific seats
• DQ (Disabled Quota): 19 seats — for candidates with 40% or more disability

Open and Remote Seats: 50% of Diploma Seats

In addition to the main state-quota seats, Bihar offers 'Open' and 'Remote' seats for PG Diploma courses. These are 50% of the total diploma seats and are distributed across categories. Open seats are available to candidates from anywhere in India, while Remote seats are for candidates from remote or underserved areas of Bihar.

The diploma courses available are: Diploma in Tuberculosis and Chest Disease, Diploma in Medical Radio Diagnosis (DMRD), Diploma in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (DIP PMR), and Diploma in Microbiology. A total of 10 diploma seats (5 Open + 5 Remote) are available across PMC Patna and DMC Darbhanga. These seats are also distributed by category.

• PMC Patna Diploma (Open): 3 seats across 4 courses
• DMC Darbhanga Diploma (Open): 2 seats (D.A. only)
• PMC Patna Diploma (Remote): 3 seats across 4 courses
• DMC Darbhanga Diploma (Remote): 2 seats (D.A. only)

DNB and Diploma Seats for In-Service Government Doctors

Bihar reserves 35 DNB (Diplomate of National Board) broad-speciality seats and 60 DNB diploma seats exclusively for doctors already working in Bihar government hospitals on a regular basis. These are separate from the MD/MS seats and are not open to fresh NEET-PG candidates. If you are an in-service government doctor, you are eligible to apply for these seats through a separate counselling process.

The DNB seats are spread across 28 colleges and hospitals, including major institutions like IGIMS Patna, SKMC Muzaffarpur, BMIMS Pawapuri, and various Sadar Hospitals across Bihar. Specialties include Emergency Medicine, General Medicine, Anaesthesiology, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Psychiatry, and others. The DNB diploma seats cover courses like D.G.O. (Diploma in Gynaecology & Obstetrics), D.C.H. (Diploma in Child Health), D.A. (Diploma in Anaesthesiology), and D.M.R.D. (Diploma in Medical Radio Diagnosis).

⚠️ **Important**: If you are a fresh NEET-PG candidate (not an in-service government doctor), you cannot apply for these 35 + 60 = 95 seats. They are reserved exclusively for government employees. Do not confuse DNB broad-speciality seats (which are part of NEET-PG counselling for fresh candidates) with these in-service DNB seats.

• DNB broad-speciality seats for in-service doctors: 35 seats across 28 institutions
• DNB diploma seats for in-service doctors: 60 seats across 40+ institutions
• Total in-service seats: 95 (not available to fresh NEET-PG candidates)
• Category distribution: UR, SC, ST, EBC, BC, RCG, EWS, and DQ

Private Medical Colleges: 648 Seats with Minority and NRI Quotas

Bihar has 9 private medical colleges offering postgraduate seats. The total private college seats are 648, distributed across Unreserved, Minority, and NRI (15%) quotas. Unlike government colleges, private colleges do not follow the same category-wise reservation system; instead, they have their own quota structure based on their minority status or general unreserved seats.

The private colleges are: K.M.C. Katihar (84 seats, Muslim Minority 50%), MGMMC & LSK Hospital Kishanganj (112 seats, Sikh Minority 30%), N.M.C. & Hospital Sasaram (120 seats, no minority), Madhubani Medical College (96 seats, Muslim Minority 50%), Netaji Subhas Medical College & Hospital Bihta (74 seats, no minority), Lord Buddha Koshi Medical College & Hospital Saharsa (62 seats, no minority), RDJM Medical College & Hospital Muzaffarpur (62 seats, no minority), and Shri Narayan Medical Institute & Hospital (38 seats, no minority).

Each private college lists seats by specialty and quota. For example, K.M.C. Katihar has 29 Unreserved seats, 42 Muslim Minority seats (50% of total), and 13 NRI seats (15% of total) across 19 specialties. The NRI quota is typically 15% of total seats and is open to Non-Resident Indians and foreign nationals. Minority seats are reserved for candidates belonging to the college's specified minority community (Muslim or Sikh).

• K.M.C. Katihar: 84 seats (Muslim Minority 50%)
• MGMMC & LSK Hospital Kishanganj: 112 seats (Sikh Minority 30%)
• N.M.C. & Hospital Sasaram: 120 seats (no minority quota)
• Madhubani Medical College: 96 seats (Muslim Minority 50%)
• Netaji Subhas Medical College Bihta: 74 seats (no minority quota)
• Lord Buddha Koshi Medical College Saharsa: 62 seats (no minority quota)
• RDJM Medical College Muzaffarpur: 62 seats (no minority quota)
• Shri Narayan Medical Institute: 38 seats (no minority quota)
• Total private seats: 648

How to Read the Seat Matrix Tables

The seat matrix is presented in detailed tables for each college. Each row represents a specialty (e.g., Anatomy, General Medicine, Surgery), and each column represents a category or quota. For government colleges, the columns are: State Quota Seats (total), UR, F_UR, SC, F_SC, ST, F_ST, EBC, F_EBC, BC, F_BC, RCG, EWS, F_EWS, Total, and DQ (Disabled Quota).

For example, if PMC Patna's General Medicine row shows: State Quota Seats = 10, UR = 2, F_UR = 2, SC = 2, F_SC = 1, ST = 1, EBC = 1, BC = 1, F_BC = 1, EWS = 1, Total = 10, DQ = 1, this means there are 10 total General Medicine seats at PMC Patna, distributed as shown. If you are an SC candidate, you compete for the 2 SC seats (or the 1 F_SC seat if you are a female SC candidate). The DQ column shows how many of the total seats are reserved for disabled candidates.

⚠️ **Critical reading trap**: The 'Total' column shows the total seats for that specialty at that college. The 'Seats for DQ' column is NOT additional seats — it is a subset of the total. For example, if General Medicine has 10 total seats and 1 DQ seat, there are still only 10 seats, not 11. The DQ seat is one of the 10. Do not double-count.

• Each row = one specialty at one college
• Columns = categories (UR, SC, ST, EBC, BC, RCG, EWS) and female-specific seats (F_UR, F_SC, etc.)
• F_ prefix = female-specific seats within that category
• Total column = sum of all category seats for that specialty
• DQ column = disabled quota seats (subset of total, not additional)
• State Quota Seats column = total seats available through state quota

Specialty-Wise Seat Availability Across Colleges

The seat matrix shows that some specialties are available at multiple colleges, while others are offered at only one or two. For instance, General Medicine is available at all 9 government colleges with a combined total of 50+ seats, making it one of the most competitive specialties. Conversely, specialties like Respiratory Medicine, Psychiatry, and Dermatology have fewer seats (1–3 per college), making them less competitive but also harder to secure if that is your preferred specialty.

Basic science specialties (Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pathology, Microbiology, Pharmacology) are available at most colleges, typically with 1–5 seats per specialty per college. Clinical specialties like Surgery, Paediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, and Anaesthesiology have higher seat counts (5–10 per college). Diagnostic specialties like Radio Diagnosis and ENT have moderate availability (1–4 seats per college).

When planning your choices during counselling, note that seats in high-demand specialties (General Medicine, Surgery, Paediatrics) will have higher cutoffs, while seats in less popular specialties may be easier to secure. However, your rank and category will ultimately determine which seats you are eligible for.

• General Medicine: ~50 seats across all 9 colleges (highest availability)
• Surgery: ~40 seats across all 9 colleges
• Paediatrics: ~35 seats across 8 colleges
• Obstetrics & Gynaecology: ~35 seats across 8 colleges
• Anaesthesiology: ~30 seats across 8 colleges
• Psychiatry: ~5 seats across 4 colleges (lowest availability)
• Respiratory Medicine: ~5 seats across 4 colleges
• Dermatology: ~8 seats across 6 colleges

Female-Specific Seats: What You Need to Know

The seat matrix includes female-specific seats within each category, denoted by the 'F_' prefix (e.g., F_UR, F_SC, F_EBC). These seats are reserved exclusively for female candidates and are in addition to the general category seats. For example, if a specialty has 2 UR seats and 2 F_UR seats, there are 4 unreserved seats total: 2 for any candidate (male or female) and 2 for female candidates only.

Female candidates have the advantage of competing in both the general category and the female-specific category. If you are a female SC candidate, you can apply for both the SC seats and the F_SC seats, giving you more options. However, once you are allotted a seat, you cannot switch between categories.

⚠️ **Important**: Female-specific seats are NOT a separate quota that reduces seats for male candidates. They are additional seats created to ensure female representation. If a specialty shows 2 UR + 2 F_UR, the total is 4 seats, not 2. Male candidates compete only for the 2 UR seats, while female candidates can compete for either the 2 UR seats or the 2 F_UR seats.

• F_UR, F_SC, F_ST, F_EBC, F_BC, F_EWS = female-specific seats within each category
• Female candidates can apply for both general and female-specific seats
• Female-specific seats are additional, not a reduction of general seats
• Once allotted, you cannot change your category or seat type

Disabled Quota (DQ) Seats: 5% Reservation

Bihar reserves 5% of all seats for candidates with 40% or more disability, as per the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. The 'Seats for DQ' column in the matrix shows how many seats at each specialty are reserved for disabled candidates. For example, if General Medicine at PMC Patna has 10 total seats and 1 DQ seat, that 1 seat is reserved for a disabled candidate.

Disabled candidates can apply for both general category seats and DQ seats. If you have a valid disability certificate issued by a competent authority, you are eligible to claim DQ seats. The disability must be 40% or more, and the certificate must be recent (typically issued within the last 5 years). Different types of disabilities are recognized: physical, sensory, mental, and multiple disabilities.

⚠️ **Critical trap**: Your disability certificate must be issued by a government medical authority recognized by the state. Private certificates are not accepted. The certificate must clearly state the percentage of disability (40% or more) and the type of disability. If your certificate is older than 5 years or does not meet these criteria, your DQ claim will be rejected. Verify your certificate well in advance.

• DQ seats: 5% of total seats across all specialties and colleges
• Eligibility: 40% or more disability as per Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016
• Disability certificate must be from a government medical authority
• Certificate must be recent (typically within 5 years)
• Disabled candidates can apply for both general and DQ seats
• Total DQ seats across all government colleges: 19 seats

How the Seat Matrix Affects Your Counselling Strategy

The seat matrix is your roadmap for counselling. Before counselling registration opens, download and study the matrix carefully. Identify which specialties and colleges have seats in your category, and note the total number of seats available. This will help you estimate your chances based on your rank and category.

For example, if you are an SC candidate with a rank of 5,000, you should look at all SC seats across all colleges and specialties. Count how many SC seats are available in your preferred specialties. If General Medicine has 51 SC seats across all colleges, your chances of getting a General Medicine seat are higher than if you choose Psychiatry, which has only 1–2 SC seats. Use this information to rank your choices strategically during counselling.

Remember: the seat matrix is fixed for the entire counselling process. Seats do not increase or decrease between rounds. However, seats may remain vacant if no candidate in a particular category meets the cutoff, and these may be filled in subsequent rounds or upgraded to a higher category. Always keep the seat matrix handy during counselling and refer to it when making your choices.

• Study the seat matrix before counselling registration
• Identify seats available in your category and preferred specialties
• Estimate your chances based on seat availability and your rank
• Rank your choices strategically (high-preference specialties first, then backup options)
• Use the matrix to understand which colleges and specialties are competitive
• Keep the matrix handy during all counselling rounds
• Remember: the matrix is fixed; seats do not change between rounds

Frequently asked questions

The seat matrix is now available and is the foundation for all PGMAC-2026 counselling. Download it from the BCECEB website (bceceboard.bihar.gov.in) and study it carefully. Identify the seats available in your category and preferred specialties, and use this information to plan your counselling choices strategically. Verify your category certificates (SC, ST, EBC, BC, EWS, or disability) well in advance — any discrepancy will result in rejection. Counselling registration and choice-filling dates will be announced separately; watch the BCECEB portal for updates. Keep the seat matrix handy throughout the counselling process and refer to it during each round.