The National Medical Commission (NMC) has released its official seat matrix for the 2026-27 academic year, confirming a total of 4,203 MD Paediatrics seats available across India's medical colleges. This data is critical for NEET-PG aspirants planning their speciality choice and counselling strategy. The allocation varies significantly by state, with southern and northern states dominating the seat count. Understanding the state-wise distribution will help you assess competition, predict cutoff trends, and make informed decisions during PG counselling.
MD Paediatrics offers 4,203 seats nationally for 2026-27 NEET-PG; Karnataka (583), Maharashtra (452), and Tamil Nadu (420) account for over one-third of all seats.
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The NMC's latest postgraduate seat matrix, released in early October 2026, confirms that MD Paediatrics will have 4,203 seats available across all medical colleges in India for the 2026-27 academic year. This figure is part of a broader matrix that includes MD, MS, Diploma, DM, and MCh courses totalling 63,177 seats. However, the NMC clarified that this matrix does not yet include seats from applications for new PG course commencements or increases in intake for existing courses—those may be added later.
For NEET-PG aspirants, this means the 4,203 figure represents the baseline seat availability. If you are considering paediatrics as your speciality, this is the confirmed pool you will compete for during counselling. The actual number of seats available during your counselling round may increase if pending applications for new courses are approved, so it is worth monitoring NMC updates closer to the counselling date.
Top three states dominate paediatrics seat allocation
Karnataka leads the nation with 583 MD Paediatrics seats, followed by Maharashtra with 452 seats and Tamil Nadu with 420 seats. Together, these three states account for 1,455 seats—approximately 35% of all paediatrics seats in India. This concentration reflects the higher density of medical colleges and larger healthcare infrastructure in these southern and western states.
For aspirants from these states, this abundance of seats typically translates to lower cutoff scores compared to states with fewer seats. If you are from Karnataka, Maharashtra, or Tamil Nadu and are aiming for paediatrics, your competition pool is larger but your cutoff threshold may be more accessible. Conversely, if you are from a state with fewer seats, you may need a higher rank to secure a paediatrics seat in your home state during counselling.
Mid-tier states: Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh ranks fourth nationally with 378 MD Paediatrics seats, followed by Telangana (290 seats) and Andhra Pradesh (289 seats). These three states together offer 957 seats, representing a significant secondary cluster. Uttar Pradesh's large allocation reflects its population and number of medical colleges, while Telangana and Andhra Pradesh continue to expand their postgraduate medical infrastructure.
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Aspirants from these states should note that while seat availability is reasonable, competition is also substantial. During counselling, you may find that paediatrics seats in these states fill quickly if you are aiming for a college in your home state. Understanding your state's cutoff trends from previous years will help you decide whether to pursue paediatrics or consider alternative specialities.
Significant contributors: Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh
Rajasthan offers 251 MD Paediatrics seats, Gujarat 226, and Madhya Pradesh 203. These three states together provide 680 seats. While individually smaller than the top tier, they represent meaningful capacity for paediatrics training across central and western India. Rajasthan's allocation is particularly notable given its geographic size and medical college distribution.
For aspirants in these states, paediatrics remains a competitive but achievable speciality. Your counselling strategy should account for the fact that while seats exist, they may not be abundant. If paediatrics is your preferred choice, securing a seat in your home state may require a competitive rank, or you may need to be flexible about college location.
Eastern and northern states: Moderate to limited capacity
West Bengal has 179 MD Paediatrics seats, Delhi 140, Bihar 103, and Odisha 96. These eastern and northern states represent moderate capacity. Kerala, despite its strong healthcare reputation, has 150 seats. Haryana (58), Puducherry (59), and Punjab (50) round out the mid-range allocations. Together, these states account for approximately 900 seats.
Aspirants from these regions should be aware that paediatrics seats, while available, are not abundant relative to the number of NEET-PG candidates competing. If you are from Delhi, West Bengal, or Bihar and aiming for paediatrics, your rank will need to be competitive to secure a seat in your home state. Consider whether you are willing to relocate to another state if your rank does not secure a paediatrics seat locally.
Low-capacity states and union territories
Several states and union territories have minimal MD Paediatrics seat allocations. Jammu & Kashmir has 60 seats, Uttarakhand 48, Assam 40, Chhattisgarh 34, and Himachal Pradesh 32. Smaller allocations include Jharkhand (18), Chandigarh (10), Goa (10), Manipur (7), Tripura (7), Dadra and Nagar Haveli (4), Arunachal Pradesh (2), Mizoram (2), and Sikkim (2). Notably, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Meghalaya have zero seats listed in this matrix.
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For aspirants from these low-capacity regions, securing a paediatrics seat in your home state during counselling will be highly competitive and may not be feasible depending on your rank. You should prepare mentally and strategically for the possibility of relocating to another state or choosing an alternative speciality. The NMC's seat matrix does not include pending applications for new courses, so there is a small possibility that additional seats may be added for some of these states, but you should not rely on this.
What this means for your NEET-PG counselling strategy
The state-wise distribution of paediatrics seats directly influences your counselling approach. If you are from a high-capacity state like Karnataka, Maharashtra, or Tamil Nadu, paediatrics is a realistic choice even with a moderate rank. If you are from a low-capacity state, you need to decide early whether you will pursue paediatrics in another state or choose a different speciality with better seat availability in your region.
During counselling, you will have the option to apply for seats across states, but most aspirants prioritize their home state for practical reasons (proximity, family, existing networks). Knowing your state's seat count helps you set realistic expectations. If your state has fewer than 100 paediatrics seats and you are competing with hundreds of other aspirants, your rank threshold for securing a seat will be significantly higher than in states with 400+ seats.
Pending applications and future seat additions
The NMC explicitly noted that the current seat matrix does not include seats from applications for new PG course commencements or increases in existing course intake for 2026-27. This means the 4,203 figure is a floor, not a ceiling. Additional paediatrics seats may be approved and added to the matrix in the coming weeks or months.
As an aspirant, you should monitor the NMC website and official counselling notifications for updates. If you are from a state with very few paediatrics seats, a pending application for a new course in your state could significantly improve your chances. However, do not assume this will happen—plan your counselling strategy based on the current confirmed seats, and treat any additions as a bonus.
Comparing paediatrics to other specialities
While this matrix focuses on MD Paediatrics, it is worth noting that the NMC released seat data for other specialities as well. For example, MS Surgery has 5,591 seats nationally—significantly more than paediatrics. This means if you are flexible on speciality choice, surgery may offer better seat availability and potentially lower cutoff scores in your state. Conversely, if paediatrics is your passion, the 4,203 seats represent a reasonable pool, though you should be prepared for competition.
Use this state-wise data to compare your chances across specialities. If your rank is borderline for paediatrics in your state, check whether you would have a better chance in surgery, medicine, or another speciality. The counselling process allows you to rank your preferences, so understanding seat distribution across specialities helps you make strategic choices.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
How many MD Paediatrics seats are available for NEET-PG 2026-27?
The NMC has confirmed 4,203 MD Paediatrics seats across all medical colleges in India for the 2026-27 academic year. This figure is based on the official seat matrix released in early October 2026. However, additional seats may be added if pending applications for new course commencements or intake increases are approved.
Which state has the most MD Paediatrics seats?
Karnataka has the highest number of MD Paediatrics seats with 583, followed by Maharashtra (452) and Tamil Nadu (420). Together, these three states account for over one-third of all paediatrics seats in India.
How many MD Paediatrics seats are available in my state?
The seat allocation varies by state. High-capacity states like Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu have 400+ seats each. Mid-tier states like Uttar Pradesh (378), Telangana (290), and Andhra Pradesh (289) have moderate allocations. Low-capacity states like Jharkhand (18), Chandigarh (10), and Goa (10) have very few seats. Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Meghalaya have zero seats listed. Check the state-wise table in this article for your specific state.
Does the 4,203 figure include all paediatrics seats that will be available?
No. The NMC clarified that the current seat matrix does not include seats from pending applications for new PG course commencements or increases in existing course intake for 2026-27. Additional paediatrics seats may be approved and added to the matrix later. Monitor NMC updates for any revisions.
How does the number of paediatrics seats affect my counselling cutoff?
States with more paediatrics seats typically have lower cutoff scores because there is less competition per seat. For example, in Karnataka with 583 seats, the cutoff may be lower than in a state with only 50 seats. If you are from a low-capacity state and aiming for paediatrics, you may need a higher rank to secure a seat in your home state, or you may need to be willing to relocate.
Can I apply for paediatrics seats in states other than my own?
Yes. During NEET-PG counselling, you can apply for seats across India, not just in your home state. However, most counselling systems prioritize home state seats in early rounds. If you do not secure a paediatrics seat in your state, you can apply for seats in other states in subsequent rounds, though this may involve relocation.
Are paediatrics seats more or less competitive than other specialities?
Paediatrics with 4,203 seats is less abundant than some specialities like MS Surgery (5,591 seats) but more abundant than highly competitive specialities like Dermatology or Ophthalmology. Your competitiveness depends on your rank, your state, and your speciality preferences. Compare seat availability across specialities to assess your chances.
What should I do if my state has very few paediatrics seats?
If your state has fewer than 100 paediatrics seats and you are aiming for paediatrics, you have three options: (1) aim for a very competitive rank to secure a seat in your home state, (2) be prepared to relocate to another state for paediatrics, or (3) consider an alternative speciality with better seat availability in your state. Decide early based on your priorities and rank expectations.
The 4,203 MD Paediatrics seats for 2026-27 represent a solid but competitive pool. Use this state-wise breakdown to assess your realistic chances in your home state and plan your counselling strategy accordingly. Monitor the NMC website for any updates on pending seat applications, and compare paediatrics seat availability with other specialities to make an informed choice.
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