MS Surgery NEET-PG 2026-27: 6,349 seats across India, state-wise breakdown

The National Medical Commission has released the official seat matrix for postgraduate medical education in India for the 2026-27 academic year. MS General Surgery, one of the most sought-after broad-speciality branches for NEET-PG aspirants, has a total of 6,349 seats available across all states and Union Territories. This updated matrix reflects new seats approved by the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) following applications from medical colleges seeking to expand their postgraduate intake or launch new programmes. Understanding the state-wise distribution is crucial for NEET-PG candidates planning their counselling strategy and college preferences.

Total MS Surgery seats and national distribution

The National Medical Commission has confirmed that 6,349 MS General Surgery seats are available for the 2026-27 academic year across India's medical colleges. This figure is part of a broader postgraduate seat matrix that includes 68,305 total seats across MD, MS, Diploma, and MCh (6-year) broad-speciality courses. The seat allocation reflects approvals granted by MARB to medical institutions that applied for increased intake capacity or permission to start new postgraduate programmes.

For NEET-PG aspirants, this total seat count is important because it determines the overall competition ratio and the likelihood of securing a seat in this speciality. MS General Surgery remains one of the most competitive branches, so knowing the exact number of available positions helps candidates set realistic expectations during counselling and plan their backup options.

Top three states with highest MS Surgery seat availability

Karnataka leads all states with 789 MS General Surgery seats, followed closely by Tamil Nadu with 744 seats and Maharashtra with 721 seats. These three states together account for approximately 2,254 seats—roughly 35% of all MS Surgery positions in India. The concentration of seats in these states reflects the presence of multiple medical colleges, both government and private, with established postgraduate programmes in surgery.

For NEET-PG candidates, this distribution has direct implications for counselling. Aspirants with strong scores may have more options in these states, potentially leading to better college choices or earlier allotment. However, candidates should also consider that higher seat availability often correlates with higher competition, as more qualified doctors compete for these positions. State-specific cutoff scores and merit lists will ultimately determine who secures these seats.

Mid-tier states: 300–700 MS Surgery seats

A second tier of states offers substantial MS Surgery seat capacity. Uttar Pradesh has 651 seats, Andhra Pradesh 432, Telangana 381, Gujarat 378, and Madhya Pradesh 312 seats. These states provide meaningful opportunities for NEET-PG candidates and represent regions where competition may be slightly less intense than in the top three states, though this depends on the overall merit pool and state-specific cutoff trends.

Candidates from these states or those willing to relocate should carefully track the previous year's cutoff scores for MS Surgery in each state. The availability of 300–700 seats in a single state can significantly improve the chances of securing a seat, especially for candidates in the middle-to-upper range of the merit list. Counselling strategy should include these states as realistic options alongside aspirational choices in high-seat states.

Lower-capacity states and Union Territories

Several states and Union Territories offer fewer MS Surgery seats. West Bengal has 233 seats, Kerala 186, Bihar 162, and Puducherry 139. Delhi, despite being the national capital, has 118 seats. Punjab (100), Rajasthan (89), Assam (85), and Jammu & Kashmir (79) round out the mid-lower tier. These regions still represent viable options for candidates, particularly those with competitive scores who may not secure seats in higher-capacity states.

Smaller states like Chhattisgarh (71), Uttarakhand (55), Himachal Pradesh (51), Jharkhand (41), and Manipur (28) have limited seats but may offer less competition in some cases. Union Territories such as Chandigarh and Goa (15 seats each), Tripura (11), Dadra and Nagar Haveli (4), and Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, and Mizoram (2 seats each) have minimal capacity. NEET-PG candidates should view these as backup options or consider them if they have a strong preference for that region.

What the updated seat matrix means for NEET-PG counselling

The release of the official seat matrix is a critical milestone for NEET-PG aspirants. It provides the definitive list of positions available for counselling and helps candidates understand the scope of competition. The matrix is used by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) and state counselling authorities to conduct merit-based allotment of seats. Knowing the exact number of seats in each state and college allows candidates to make informed choices about their preferred colleges and locations during the counselling process.

Candidates should cross-reference this seat matrix with previous years' cutoff scores for MS Surgery to estimate their likelihood of securing a seat. The cutoff is typically determined by the number of seats available, the total number of candidates, and the merit distribution. With 6,349 seats nationally, the cutoff for MS Surgery will be competitive but may vary significantly by state. Aspirants should prepare for counselling by ranking colleges strategically—placing high-preference colleges where their score is likely to secure a seat, and including aspirational choices where they might just make the cutoff.

State-wise seat distribution: Full breakdown for planning

The complete state-wise allocation shows significant regional variation. The top 10 states (Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, and Kerala) together account for approximately 4,700 seats—roughly 74% of all MS Surgery positions. This concentration means that candidates aiming for MS Surgery should seriously consider these states during counselling, as they offer the best chance of securing a seat.

Candidates from states with fewer seats (such as Manipur, Mizoram, or Arunachal Pradesh) may find it strategically advantageous to apply for seats in other states during counselling, as inter-state mobility is permitted. The counselling process typically allows candidates to choose from seats across India based on their merit rank, so geographic location of the candidate's MBBS college does not restrict their options. This flexibility is important for aspirants in low-seat states to maximize their chances of securing MS Surgery.

• Top 3 states: Karnataka (789), Tamil Nadu (744), Maharashtra (721) = 2,254 seats
• Mid-tier states (300–700 seats): Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh
• Lower-capacity states (100–300 seats): West Bengal, Kerala, Bihar, Puducherry, Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan, Assam, Jammu & Kashmir
• Minimal-capacity states and UTs (< 100 seats): Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Manipur, Odisha, Chandigarh, Goa, Tripura, and others

How to use this seat matrix for your NEET-PG strategy

NEET-PG candidates should use this seat matrix as a foundation for their counselling preparation. First, identify your expected merit rank based on your NEET-PG score and previous years' cutoffs. Then, cross-reference this rank against the state-wise seat availability and historical cutoff data to determine which states and colleges are realistic, aspirational, or backup options. The seat matrix tells you where seats exist; historical cutoff data tells you what rank is needed to secure them.

Second, consider your preferences beyond just MS Surgery. If your rank is borderline for MS Surgery, you may want to explore other broad-speciality branches (MD Medicine, MD Pediatrics, MD Psychiatry, etc.) that might have higher seat availability or lower cutoffs. The total PG seat matrix released by NMC includes all branches, so comparing seat numbers across specialities can help you make strategic choices. Finally, stay updated on any further changes to the seat matrix, as MARB may release additional updates closer to the counselling date.

Important notes on seat matrix updates and counselling timeline

The seat matrix released by NMC is the official, updated version that reflects all approvals granted by MARB for the 2026-27 academic year. This includes new seats created by colleges that expanded their intake capacity and new postgraduate programmes that were approved. Candidates should rely on this official matrix and not on unofficial or outdated versions circulating online.

The counselling process typically begins after the NEET-PG results are announced and merit lists are prepared. The exact dates and procedure will be communicated by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) and state counselling authorities. Candidates are advised to register on the official counselling portal, verify their eligibility, and prepare their college preference list well in advance. Having a clear understanding of seat availability by state and college will make the preference-filling process faster and more strategic.

Frequently asked questions

The 6,349 MS Surgery seats for NEET-PG 2026-27 represent a competitive but achievable goal for qualified MBBS graduates. Use this official seat matrix alongside previous years' cutoff data to develop a realistic counselling strategy, and remember that inter-state mobility gives you flexibility to pursue seats across India. Stay updated on the MCC's counselling timeline and begin preparing your preference list now.