The National Medical Commission (NMC) has released the postgraduate seat matrix for the 2026-27 academic year, allocating 78 MD and MS seats across four geographically remote and underserved regions: Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Mizoram. This allocation is part of the broader effort to strengthen medical education and specialist availability in India's northeastern and island territories. For NEET-PG aspirants, these seats represent important opportunities in regions where postgraduate medical training capacity has historically been limited. Understanding the speciality-wise distribution across these states can help candidates plan their counselling strategy and career choices.
A total of 78 MD and MS postgraduate seats are now available across four underserved regions for 2026-27, with Sikkim offering the most (32 seats) and Mizoram the fewest (10 seats), spanning multiple clinical and non-clinical specialities.
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Unlock My College ListWhat the NMC seat matrix 2026-27 includes for these regions
The National Medical Commission's latest postgraduate seat matrix for 2026-27 designates 78 MD (Doctor of Medicine) and MS (Master of Surgery) seats across four states and union territories. This represents a targeted effort to expand postgraduate medical training capacity in regions that have historically faced shortages of specialist doctors. The allocation is state-specific: Sikkim receives 32 seats, Arunachal Pradesh receives 23 seats, Andaman and Nicobar Islands receives 13 seats, and Mizoram receives 10 seats.
It is important to note that the NMC has clarified this seat matrix does not include seats from pending applications for increases in existing postgraduate course intake or for newly approved postgraduate courses for 2026-27. This means the 78 seats represent only the confirmed, operational postgraduate positions in these regions as of the matrix release date. Aspirants should monitor NMC announcements for any subsequent updates regarding new course approvals or seat increases.
Sikkim: 32 seats across 13 specialities
Sikkim has the largest allocation among the four regions, with 32 postgraduate seats distributed across both clinical and non-clinical specialities. Anaesthesiology leads with four MD seats, followed by three specialities with three seats each: MD Physiology, MD Psychiatry, and MD Radio-Diagnosis/Radiology, plus MS Orthopaedics. The remaining eight specialities—including Biochemistry, Community Medicine, General Medicine, Microbiology, Paediatrics, Pharmacology, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)—each have two seats.
For NEET-PG aspirants targeting Sikkim, this distribution suggests a balanced mix of opportunities. Candidates with strong performance in clinical subjects may find competitive seats in Anaesthesiology or Orthopaedics, while those interested in foundational or preventive medicine have options in Biochemistry, Community Medicine, or Pharmacology. The presence of Psychiatry and Radio-Diagnosis reflects growing recognition of mental health and diagnostic imaging needs in the region.
- MD Anaesthesiology: 4 seats (highest in Sikkim)
- MD Physiology, Psychiatry, Radio-Diagnosis: 3 seats each
- MS Orthopaedics: 3 seats
- Eight specialities with 2 seats each (Biochemistry, Community Medicine, General Medicine, Microbiology, Paediatrics, Pharmacology, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, ENT)
Arunachal Pradesh: 23 seats with emphasis on diagnostic and clinical branches
Arunachal Pradesh has been allocated 23 postgraduate seats across 10 specialities. MD Radio-Diagnosis/Radiology has the highest allocation with three seats, reflecting the importance of diagnostic imaging infrastructure in the state. Nine other specialities—Anaesthesiology, Anatomy, Community Medicine, General Medicine, Microbiology, Paediatrics, Pharmacology, Physiology, MS General Surgery, and MS Obstetrics and Gynaecology—each have two seats.
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The emphasis on Radio-Diagnosis in Arunachal Pradesh suggests the state's healthcare system is prioritizing diagnostic capability. For NEET-PG aspirants, this indicates strong demand for radiologists in the region. The presence of foundational science seats (Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology) alongside clinical branches offers flexibility for candidates with varying interests. General Surgery and Obstetrics & Gynaecology seats are particularly valuable in a state where surgical and obstetric services are critical for maternal and emergency care.
- MD Radio-Diagnosis/Radiology: 3 seats (highest in Arunachal Pradesh)
- Nine specialities with 2 seats each (Anaesthesiology, Anatomy, Community Medicine, General Medicine, Microbiology, Paediatrics, Pharmacology, Physiology, General Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology)
Andaman and Nicobar Islands: 13 seats with focus on foundational sciences
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands union territory has 13 postgraduate seats distributed across six specialities. MD Anaesthesiology and MD Microbiology lead with three seats each, followed by MD Anatomy and MD Biochemistry with two seats each, MS General Surgery with two seats, and MS Ophthalmology with one seat. The concentration of foundational science seats (Anatomy, Biochemistry, Microbiology) reflects the territory's need to build strong academic infrastructure.
For aspirants considering the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the single MS Ophthalmology seat is highly competitive. However, the multiple seats in Anaesthesiology and Microbiology offer better odds. The foundational science specialities are valuable for candidates interested in teaching, research, or academic medicine. The presence of General Surgery and Ophthalmology indicates the territory's commitment to maintaining essential clinical services for its island population.
- MD Anaesthesiology: 3 seats
- MD Microbiology: 3 seats
- MD Anatomy, MD Biochemistry: 2 seats each
- MS General Surgery: 2 seats
- MS Ophthalmology: 1 seat (most competitive)
Mizoram: 10 seats across five clinical and foundational specialities
Mizoram has the smallest allocation with 10 postgraduate seats, evenly distributed across five specialities with two seats each: MD Anaesthesiology, MD General Medicine, MD Paediatrics, MS General Surgery, and MS Obstetrics and Gynaecology. This balanced distribution reflects the state's need for both clinical specialists and foundational expertise across multiple domains.
The equal distribution of seats in Mizoram suggests a deliberate strategy to build capacity across essential medical services. For NEET-PG aspirants, all five specialities in Mizoram are equally competitive. The presence of Paediatrics, General Medicine, and Obstetrics & Gynaecology underscores the state's focus on primary and maternal healthcare, while Anaesthesiology and General Surgery support surgical and emergency services.
- MD Anaesthesiology: 2 seats
- MD General Medicine: 2 seats
- MD Paediatrics: 2 seats
- MS General Surgery: 2 seats
- MS Obstetrics and Gynaecology: 2 seats
What this means for NEET-PG aspirants and counselling strategy
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These 78 seats represent a small but significant portion of India's total postgraduate medical capacity. For NEET-PG aspirants, particularly those from northeastern states or with a willingness to serve underserved regions, these seats offer genuine opportunities. The speciality distribution across the four regions is diverse, allowing candidates with different interests—whether clinical (Surgery, Obstetrics, Anaesthesiology) or foundational (Anatomy, Biochemistry, Microbiology)—to find relevant options.
During NEET-PG counselling, aspirants should consider several factors: (1) their NEET-PG rank and expected cutoff for each speciality in each region, (2) their genuine interest in serving these regions long-term, (3) the career prospects and further specialization opportunities available after completing the postgraduate degree, and (4) the quality of training and infrastructure at the specific medical college offering the seat. Candidates with lower ranks may find these regions offer better chances of securing a postgraduate seat compared to metropolitan or well-established medical colleges.
- Total 78 seats across four underserved regions
- Diverse speciality mix: clinical (Surgery, Obstetrics, Anaesthesiology) and foundational (Anatomy, Biochemistry, Microbiology)
- Sikkim offers the most seats (32); Mizoram the fewest (10)
- Candidates with lower NEET-PG ranks may have better chances in these regions
- Consider long-term career prospects and infrastructure quality at the specific college
Important clarification: What is NOT included in this seat matrix
The NMC has explicitly stated that this seat matrix does not include seats from applications pending approval for increases in existing postgraduate course intake or for newly approved postgraduate courses for 2026-27. This is a critical distinction for aspirants. If a medical college in any of these regions has applied to increase seats in an existing speciality or to start a new postgraduate course, those seats will not appear in the current matrix.
Aspirants should regularly check the NMC website and official counselling portals for updates. Additional seats may be released if pending applications are approved before or during the counselling process. Some states or colleges may also release supplementary notifications about new courses or seat increases. Staying informed through official channels is essential to avoid missing opportunities.
- Current matrix excludes pending applications for seat increases in existing courses
- Current matrix excludes pending applications for newly approved postgraduate courses
- Additional seats may be released if pending approvals are granted
- Check NMC website and official counselling portals regularly for updates
Regional context: Why these regions matter for India's medical education
Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are geographically remote and historically underserved in terms of postgraduate medical training. These regions face significant challenges in attracting and retaining specialist doctors, leading to gaps in specialized healthcare delivery. By allocating postgraduate seats in these regions, the NMC is working to build local specialist capacity and reduce the need for patients to travel to metropolitan centers for advanced care.
For NEET-PG aspirants, choosing to pursue postgraduate training in these regions is not merely a career decision—it is also a contribution to India's goal of equitable healthcare distribution. Doctors who complete their postgraduate training in these regions often remain to practice, creating a sustainable specialist workforce. This has long-term benefits for the local population and strengthens the overall healthcare ecosystem in underserved areas.
- These regions historically lack postgraduate medical training capacity
- Specialist doctors are scarce, forcing patients to seek care in metropolitan centers
- Postgraduate seats in these regions build local specialist capacity
- Doctors trained in these regions often remain to practice locally
- This supports India's goal of equitable healthcare distribution
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
How many total postgraduate seats are available in Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Mizoram for 2026-27?
A total of 78 postgraduate MD and MS seats are available across these four regions for 2026-27. The breakdown is: Sikkim (32 seats), Arunachal Pradesh (23 seats), Andaman and Nicobar Islands (13 seats), and Mizoram (10 seats).
Which speciality has the most seats in Sikkim?
MD Anaesthesiology has the most seats in Sikkim with four seats. Three other specialities—MD Physiology, MD Psychiatry, MD Radio-Diagnosis/Radiology, and MS Orthopaedics—each have three seats.
What specialities are available in Arunachal Pradesh?
Arunachal Pradesh offers 23 seats across 10 specialities: MD Radio-Diagnosis/Radiology (3 seats), and MD Anaesthesiology, MD Anatomy, MD Community Medicine, MD General Medicine, MD Microbiology, MD Paediatrics, MD Pharmacology, MD Physiology, MS General Surgery, and MS Obstetrics & Gynaecology (2 seats each).
Does this seat matrix include seats from pending applications for new postgraduate courses?
No. The NMC has clarified that this seat matrix does not include seats from pending applications for increases in existing postgraduate course intake or for newly approved postgraduate courses for 2026-27. Only confirmed, operational seats are listed.
Which region has the fewest postgraduate seats?
Mizoram has the fewest seats with 10 total postgraduate seats, distributed equally across five specialities (Anaesthesiology, General Medicine, Paediatrics, General Surgery, and Obstetrics & Gynaecology) with 2 seats each.
What is the most competitive speciality in Andaman and Nicobar Islands?
MS Ophthalmology is the most competitive speciality in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with only 1 seat available. MD Anaesthesiology and MD Microbiology are less competitive, each offering 3 seats.
How should NEET-PG aspirants use this seat matrix for counselling?
Aspirants should consider their NEET-PG rank, expected cutoffs for each speciality in each region, their genuine interest in serving these regions, career prospects after postgraduate training, and the quality of infrastructure at the specific medical college. Candidates with lower ranks may find better opportunities in these underserved regions compared to metropolitan medical colleges.
Will more seats be added to these regions before counselling?
Possibly. If pending applications for seat increases or new postgraduate courses are approved by the NMC before or during counselling, additional seats may be released. Aspirants should regularly check the NMC website and official counselling portals for updates.
The allocation of 78 postgraduate seats across Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Mizoram reflects India's commitment to strengthening medical education in underserved regions. NEET-PG aspirants should carefully review the speciality-wise distribution in each region, assess their rank and counselling strategy, and monitor the NMC website for any updates regarding additional seat approvals before the counselling process begins.
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