1,880 MD Dermatology Seats in NEET-PG 2026-27: State-wise Breakdown

The National Medical Commission has released its official seat matrix for the 2026-27 academic year, allocating 1,880 positions across India for MD Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy — a broad-speciality postgraduate course that attracts many NEET-PG aspirants. This allocation forms part of the larger 63,177 MD, MS, Diploma, DM and MCh seats announced for the year. Understanding the state-wise distribution is crucial for NEET-PG candidates planning their speciality choice and counselling strategy, as seat availability directly influences cutoff scores and admission chances.

What the NMC seat matrix tells NEET-PG aspirants about dermatology

The National Medical Commission's latest seat matrix, released in October 2026, provides the official count of postgraduate medical seats available across India for the 2026-27 academic year. For MD Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy specifically, 1,880 seats are now confirmed across all states and union territories. This figure is part of a broader allocation that includes MD and MS courses in other specialities, as well as PG Diploma and super-speciality (DM and MCh) seats.

For an MBBS graduate preparing for NEET-PG, this seat matrix is your roadmap. It tells you exactly how many positions exist in your chosen speciality, in which states, and helps you estimate the competition you will face. Dermatology is a popular choice among NEET-PG candidates due to its lifestyle appeal and career prospects, so knowing the total seat count helps you set realistic cutoff expectations and plan your counselling preferences strategically.

Top three states dominate dermatology seat allocation

Karnataka leads the nation with 300 MD Dermatology seats, followed by Maharashtra with 216 seats and Tamil Nadu with 204 seats. Together, these three states account for 720 seats — roughly 38% of all dermatology positions in India. This concentration reflects both the size of these states' medical college networks and the demand for postgraduate medical education in these regions.

For NEET-PG aspirants, this means that if you are aiming for a dermatology seat in one of these high-seat states, you will face stiffer competition due to the larger pool of candidates competing for proportionally more seats. Conversely, if you are willing to relocate or have a state preference outside these three, you may find relatively lower cutoff scores, though the absolute number of seats available will be smaller.

Mid-tier states offer significant dermatology opportunities

Beyond the top three, several states offer a meaningful number of dermatology seats. Uttar Pradesh has 154 seats, Telangana has 153, Andhra Pradesh has 146, and Rajasthan has 109. These mid-tier allocations represent a second tier of opportunity for NEET-PG candidates. States like Gujarat (90 seats), Kerala (79 seats), and Madhya Pradesh (74 seats) also provide substantial options.

For candidates from these states or those willing to pursue postgraduate training outside the southern and western metros, these allocations are significant. The cutoff scores in these states are typically lower than in Karnataka, Maharashtra, or Tamil Nadu, making them strategic choices during counselling if your NEET-PG rank does not secure a seat in the most competitive regions. Understanding this tier helps you plan a realistic counselling strategy with backup options.

Smaller allocations and zero-seat states: What it means for you

At the lower end of the allocation spectrum, states like West Bengal (57 seats), Bihar (46 seats), and Odisha (38 seats) have modest but non-zero dermatology positions. Even smaller allocations exist in states such as Haryana (29 seats), Delhi (26 seats), and Punjab (23 seats). For candidates from these regions, securing a dermatology seat in their home state may be challenging, requiring either a higher NEET-PG rank or a willingness to migrate to states with more seats.

Critically, five states and union territories — Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Sikkim, and Tripura — have zero MD Dermatology seats listed in this matrix. Candidates from these regions who wish to pursue dermatology must plan to study outside their home state. This is an important consideration for aspirants from these areas when deciding on speciality choice and counselling strategy. The NMC matrix does not include seats from applications pending for new or expanded PG courses, so future additions are possible but not guaranteed.

How the seat matrix affects your NEET-PG counselling strategy

The seat matrix is released before NEET-PG counselling begins, allowing you to make informed decisions about speciality and state preferences. With 1,880 dermatology seats confirmed, you can estimate the likely cutoff score based on historical trends and the total number of NEET-PG candidates competing. If dermatology is your target speciality, you should cross-reference this seat count with your expected rank to gauge your chances realistically.

During counselling, you will rank your preferred colleges and specialities in order of choice. Knowing that Karnataka has 300 seats versus Mizoram has zero helps you prioritize. If your rank is borderline for dermatology in a high-seat state, you might secure a seat there; if your rank is lower, you may need to either accept a dermatology seat in a smaller state or consider an alternative speciality with more seats available. This matrix is your foundation for that decision-making process.

Important clarification: What this matrix does and does not include

The NMC has clarified that the seat matrix released in September 2026 (which includes the 1,880 dermatology seats) does not yet include seats from applications received for an increase in the intake of existing postgraduate courses or for the commencement of new postgraduate courses for the 2026-27 academic year. This means the 1,880 figure is the baseline, and additional seats may be added if pending applications are approved.

For NEET-PG aspirants, this is important context. The seat count you see now is not final; it may increase before or during counselling. However, you should plan based on the confirmed 1,880 seats and treat any future additions as a bonus. Do not delay your preparation or counselling decisions waiting for potential new seats, as there is no guarantee they will be approved or when they will be announced.

State-wise dermatology seat distribution at a glance

The full state-wise breakdown reveals significant regional variation. The top 10 states by seat count are: Karnataka (300), Maharashtra (216), Tamil Nadu (204), Uttar Pradesh (154), Telangana (153), Andhra Pradesh (146), Rajasthan (109), Gujarat (90), Kerala (79), and Madhya Pradesh (74). These 10 states together account for 1,425 seats — approximately 76% of all dermatology positions.

The remaining 455 seats are distributed across 23 other states and union territories, with some receiving very small allocations (e.g., Meghalaya with 2 seats, Manipur with 6 seats). This concentration in a few states reflects the distribution of medical colleges and postgraduate training infrastructure across India. For NEET-PG candidates, this underscores the importance of being flexible about location if you wish to pursue dermatology, especially if you are from a state with limited seats.

Frequently asked questions

The 1,880 MD Dermatology seats for 2026-27 are now confirmed, with significant regional variation — use this matrix to benchmark your NEET-PG rank against realistic cutoff expectations and plan your counselling strategy. Monitor the NMC website for any updates on additional seats from pending applications, but base your preparation and decisions on the current allocation.