MS Surgery NEET-PG 2026-27: 5,591 seats across India, Karnataka leads with 676

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has released the official seat matrix for postgraduate medical education in India for the 2026-27 academic year. For MS General Surgery—one of the most sought-after broad-speciality branches—a total of 5,591 seats are available across all states and Union Territories. This breakdown is critical for NEET-PG aspirants planning their counselling strategy, as it shows where seats are concentrated and which states offer the most opportunities in this speciality. Understanding the state-wise distribution helps you set realistic rank targets and plan your college preferences.

What the NMC seat matrix 2026-27 tells you about MS Surgery availability

The National Medical Commission released its official postgraduate seat matrix on 29 September 2026, covering all MD, MS, PG Diploma, DM and MCh courses across India for the 2026-27 academic year. Within this matrix, MS General Surgery—a core surgical speciality pursued by many NEET-PG candidates—accounts for 5,591 seats. This figure represents the baseline capacity of medical colleges offering this course and does not yet include seats from applications for new PG course starts or intake increases that may be approved later in the year.

For a NEET-PG aspirant, this number is your starting point for understanding competition and seat availability. The 5,591 seats will be filled through the NEET-PG counselling process, which typically ranks candidates by their NEET-PG score and allows them to choose colleges and specialities in order of merit. Knowing the total seat pool helps you estimate how many candidates will compete for MS Surgery and what rank range you might need to secure a seat in your preferred state or college.

Top three states dominate MS Surgery seat distribution

Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu together account for 1,925 of the 5,591 MS Surgery seats—roughly one-third of all available positions nationally. Karnataka leads with 676 seats, Maharashtra follows with 628, and Tamil Nadu has 621. This concentration reflects the presence of large numbers of government and private medical colleges in these southern and western states, as well as their established postgraduate medical infrastructure.

For NEET-PG aspirants from these states or those willing to relocate, this represents a significant advantage: higher seat availability typically translates to lower cutoff ranks needed to secure admission. Conversely, if you are aiming for MS Surgery in a state with fewer seats, you may need a higher rank to compete. This is why state-wise seat data is essential for realistic counselling planning.

Northern and eastern states: moderate to limited MS Surgery capacity

Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state, has 558 MS Surgery seats—the fourth-highest nationally. However, this is still significantly fewer than Karnataka. Other major northern states show more modest numbers: Delhi has 118 seats, Haryana 97, Punjab 83, and Jammu & Kashmir 82. In the east, West Bengal offers 197 seats and Bihar 147, while Odisha has 135.

For aspirants in these regions, the lower seat count means higher competition relative to population. If you are from Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, or Punjab and targeting MS Surgery, you should expect a more competitive rank threshold than in southern states. This does not mean admission is impossible—it means you need to plan your rank expectations carefully and consider whether you are willing to relocate to a state with higher seat availability.

Smaller states and Union Territories: minimal MS Surgery seats

Several states and Union Territories have very limited MS Surgery capacity. Meghalya and Sikkim have zero seats listed in the matrix. Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, and Mizoram each have only 2 seats. Dadra and Nagar Haveli has 4, Tripura has 9, and Chandigarh has 12. These minimal numbers reflect either the absence of medical colleges offering postgraduate surgery training or very small institutional capacity in these regions.

If you are from one of these areas and wish to pursue MS Surgery, you will almost certainly need to relocate to another state for your postgraduate training. This is an important consideration during counselling: you should be prepared to move and should factor in the logistics and costs of relocation when making your college choices.

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

The state-wise seat distribution is a foundational tool for counselling planning. First, identify which states have the highest seat counts in MS Surgery—these typically have lower cutoff ranks because more seats mean less competition per seat. Second, cross-reference this data with your expected NEET-PG rank: if your rank is in the lower range, you may secure a seat in a high-capacity state but not in a low-capacity one. Third, consider your personal preferences: are you willing to relocate? Do you have a preference for a particular state or region? Are you aiming for a government or private college?

During the actual counselling process, you will be asked to rank colleges in order of preference. The seat matrix helps you understand which colleges in which states are realistic options for your rank. For example, if you score a rank that places you in the middle of the MS Surgery candidate pool, you might secure a seat in Maharashtra or Tamil Nadu but not in a state with fewer seats. Use this matrix to create a balanced preference list: include some aspirational choices (lower-capacity states), realistic choices (medium-capacity states), and safe choices (high-capacity states).

Important caveat: this matrix may expand before counselling

The NMC has clarified that the 29 September 2026 seat matrix does not include seats from pending applications for new PG course starts or increases in intake for existing courses in 2026-27. This means the actual number of MS Surgery seats available during counselling could be higher than 5,591. Medical colleges often apply to increase their postgraduate intake or to start new courses, and these applications are processed separately.

As an aspirant, this means you should monitor NMC announcements in the weeks leading up to counselling. If additional seats are approved, the total pool will increase, potentially lowering cutoff ranks across the board. Conversely, if no new seats are approved, the 5,591 figure will remain your baseline. Either way, use the current matrix as your planning reference, but stay alert for updates.

State-wise MS Surgery seat distribution at a glance

Below is the complete breakdown of MS General Surgery seats by state and Union Territory for 2026-27, as released by the NMC. This table is your reference for understanding where seats are concentrated and where competition may be highest or lowest.

What this means for your NEET-PG rank expectations

The total of 5,591 MS Surgery seats is distributed across approximately 33 states and Union Territories. In a typical NEET-PG examination, the number of candidates competing for MS Surgery is often higher than the number of seats available, meaning cutoff ranks are competitive. The exact cutoff rank for MS Surgery in any given state depends on the number of candidates who rank that state and speciality in their preference list during counselling.

As a rough guide: if you score a rank in the top 10–15% of all NEET-PG candidates, you are likely to secure MS Surgery in a high-capacity state like Karnataka or Maharashtra. If your rank is in the top 20–25%, you may secure it in a medium-capacity state. If your rank is lower, you may need to consider either a lower-capacity state (if you are willing to relocate) or a different speciality. Use the seat matrix to set realistic expectations and to avoid disappointment during counselling.

Frequently asked questions

The NMC seat matrix for 2026-27 provides essential data for your NEET-PG planning. Use the state-wise MS Surgery seat distribution to calibrate your rank expectations, identify realistic college options, and build a balanced counselling preference list. Stay alert for updates on additional seats that may be approved before counselling begins.