NEET-PG 2026 Round 2 Seat Matrix: 15,533 Clear Vacancies Released

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has published three separate updated seat matrices for Round 2 of NEET-PG counselling 2026, detailing clear vacancies, newly added seats, and virtual vacancies across all MD, MS, PG Diploma and DNB broad-speciality courses. These matrices are critical for MBBS doctors preparing to lock in their preferences during Round 2 counselling, as they show exactly which seats remain available, which are newly introduced, and which may open up as candidates move between rounds. Understanding the difference between these three categories—and how to use them strategically—can significantly influence your final allotment.

What the Three Seat Matrices Mean for Your Round 2 Choices

MCC has released three distinct seat matrices, each serving a different purpose in your counselling strategy. The first lists 15,533 seats that are definitively vacant after Round 1—these are confirmed available for allotment in Round 2. The second shows 3,678 newly added seats that were not part of the original seat matrix; these represent additional capacity introduced by colleges or institutes, often to address demand in high-competition specialities. The third matrix contains 18,235 virtual vacancies—seats that may become available if candidates who were allotted in Round 1 decline their seat, upgrade to a better option, or do not report to their assigned college.

The critical distinction is that clear vacancies are guaranteed to be offered in Round 2, while virtual vacancies are conditional. Virtual seats depend on candidate movement and are not assured. Newly added seats represent fresh opportunities that did not exist in the original Round 1 matrix. When you prepare your preference list for Round 2, you should prioritise clear and newly added seats for realistic expectations, but also include virtual vacancies as backup options if you are willing to take the risk of a seat that may or may not materialise.

Clear Vacancies: Which Specialities Have the Most Seats Available

Among the 15,533 clearly vacant seats, the highest concentration is in foundational and clinical specialities. MD Anaesthesiology leads with 1,027 vacant seats, followed by MD General Medicine with 1,014 seats and MS General Surgery with 957 seats. These three specialities together account for nearly 3,000 clear vacancies—a significant portion of the total. MS Obstetrics and Gynaecology (813 seats), MD Paediatrics (769 seats), and MS Orthopaedics (690 seats) also show substantial availability.

Preclinical and para-clinical specialities such as MD Pathology (869 seats), MD Anatomy (537 seats), MD Physiology (501 seats), and MD Microbiology (498 seats) have considerable vacancies as well. These branches often attract fewer candidates relative to clinical specialities, resulting in higher clear vacancy numbers. If you are flexible on speciality choice or have a genuine interest in these fields, Round 2 offers a genuine opportunity to secure a seat with lower competition. Conversely, highly competitive specialities like MD Dermatology (375 clear vacancies) and MS Ophthalmology (452 clear vacancies) still have openings but remain more contested.

• MD Anaesthesiology: 1,027 clear vacancies
• MD General Medicine: 1,014 clear vacancies
• MS General Surgery: 957 clear vacancies
• MD Pathology: 869 clear vacancies
• MS Obstetrics and Gynaecology: 813 clear vacancies
• MD Paediatrics: 769 clear vacancies
• MS Orthopaedics: 690 clear vacancies

Newly Added Seats: Where Colleges Have Expanded Capacity

The 3,678 newly added seats represent a significant injection of fresh capacity into the 2026 PG counselling process. These seats were not part of the original Round 1 matrix and reflect colleges' decisions to increase intake in response to demand or regulatory approval. MD General Medicine leads with 302 newly added seats, followed by MS General Surgery (258 seats) and MD Pathology (254 seats). MD Anaesthesiology (250 seats) and MS Obstetrics and Gynaecology (233 seats) also show substantial new capacity.

Newly added seats are particularly valuable because they represent genuine additional opportunities—not dependent on other candidates' choices. If you are targeting a speciality where newly added seats have been introduced, your chances of securing a seat in Round 2 improve significantly. For instance, MD General Medicine now has 302 new seats plus 1,014 clear vacancies, totalling over 1,300 confirmed available positions. However, newly added seats may be distributed across multiple institutes and quotas, so you must carefully review the institute-wise and quota-wise breakdown in the full matrix before finalising your preferences.

• MD General Medicine: 302 newly added seats
• MS General Surgery: 258 newly added seats
• MD Pathology: 254 newly added seats
• MD Anaesthesiology: 250 newly added seats
• MS Obstetrics and Gynaecology: 233 newly added seats
• MS Orthopaedics: 229 newly added seats
• MD Paediatrics: 226 newly added seats

Virtual Vacancies: Seats That May Open If Candidates Move

Virtual vacancies are seats that may become available during Round 2 if candidates who were allotted in Round 1 decline their seat, upgrade to a better option in a different institute or speciality, or fail to report. The total of 18,235 virtual vacancies is substantial, but these are inherently uncertain. MD General Medicine has the highest virtual vacancy count at 1,386 seats, followed by MD Anaesthesiology (1,323 seats) and MS General Surgery (1,212 seats). MS Obstetrics and Gynaecology (1,112 seats) and MD Paediatrics (1,010 seats) also show high virtual vacancy numbers.

Virtual vacancies are most useful as a safety net or backup strategy. If you are aiming for a highly competitive speciality or a specific institute, including virtual vacancies in your preference list increases your chances of allotment—but you must be prepared for the possibility that the seat may not materialise. The MCC explicitly cautions that virtual vacancies should not be combined with clear vacancies and described as confirmed available seats. Use virtual vacancies strategically: include them in your list if you are willing to accept the uncertainty, but prioritise clear and newly added seats for your top preferences to ensure a realistic chance of allotment.

• Virtual vacancies are conditional and depend on candidate movement
• Do not combine virtual vacancy numbers with clear vacancy numbers
• Use virtual vacancies as backup options, not primary choices
• Higher virtual vacancy counts in competitive specialities reflect greater uncertainty
• Always check the latest MCC notices for updates before finalising preferences

NBEMS (DNB) Seats: Significant Availability Across Broad-Speciality Courses

NBEMS (National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences) administers DNB (Diplomate of National Board) broad-speciality courses, which are part of NEET-PG counselling. The seat matrices show substantial availability in NBEMS courses across all three categories. In clear vacancies, NBEMS Anaesthesiology has 334 seats, NBEMS General Medicine has 311 seats, and NBEMS General Surgery has 192 seats. NBEMS Diploma courses (such as Diploma in Paediatrics with 231 clear vacancies and Diploma in Anaesthesiology with 222 clear vacancies) also show significant openings.

For candidates considering DNB as an alternative to MD/MS, Round 2 offers genuine opportunities. NBEMS courses are recognised qualifications and provide comparable training and career prospects. The newly added NBEMS seats include 29 in General Medicine, 18 in Anaesthesiology, and 17 in Orthopaedics, among others. If you are open to DNB or PG Diploma pathways, the availability in Round 2 is encouraging. However, ensure you understand the differences between MD/MS (university-based) and DNB/NBEMS (board-based) qualifications before making your choice, as they may have different recognition and career implications depending on your future plans.

• NBEMS Anaesthesiology: 334 clear vacancies
• NBEMS General Medicine: 311 clear vacancies
• NBEMS Diploma Paediatrics: 231 clear vacancies
• NBEMS Diploma Anaesthesiology: 222 clear vacancies
• DNB courses also available with varying vacancy counts
• DNB is a valid alternative to MD/MS with comparable recognition

How to Use the Seat Matrices to Build Your Round 2 Preference List

The MCC has provided institute-wise, speciality-wise, quota-wise, and category-wise information in the matrices. Before finalising your preferences, download all three matrices from the MCC website and cross-reference them. First, identify your target specialities and note the clear vacancy count for each. Second, check which institutes offer those specialities and in which quotas (All India, State, Deemed, Private, etc.). Third, verify your eligibility for each quota based on your NEET-PG rank, state domicile, and other criteria.

Build your preference list in tiers: Tier 1 should include seats with clear vacancies in your preferred specialities and institutes. Tier 2 should include newly added seats in your target specialities, even if the institute is less preferred. Tier 3 can include virtual vacancies as backup options. Ensure you review the latest MCC notices and counselling instructions, as the matrices may be revised before Round 2 begins. Do not assume that the numbers in the matrices are final; MCC may release further updates. Finally, be realistic about your rank and the competitiveness of your choices. If your rank is borderline for a speciality, prioritise clear vacancies over virtual vacancies to maximise your chances of allotment.

• Download all three matrices from the MCC official website
• Cross-reference speciality, institute, quota, and category information
• Verify your eligibility for each quota before including seats in your list
• Prioritise clear vacancies in Tier 1 of your preference list
• Include newly added seats in Tier 2 as realistic backup options
• Use virtual vacancies in Tier 3 only if you are willing to accept uncertainty
• Check for MCC updates and revisions before finalising preferences

Important Cautions: What Not to Do When Reviewing the Matrices

The MCC has explicitly warned candidates not to combine clear vacancy numbers with virtual vacancy numbers and treat the total as confirmed available seats. For example, if a speciality shows 1,000 clear vacancies and 1,500 virtual vacancies, you cannot assume 2,500 seats are available. Only the 1,000 clear vacancies are guaranteed; the 1,500 virtual vacancies are conditional. Misinterpreting this distinction can lead to unrealistic expectations and disappointment during allotment.

Additionally, the matrices provide aggregate numbers by speciality, but the actual seat distribution varies by institute, quota, and reservation category. A speciality may show 1,000 clear vacancies, but these may be spread across 50 institutes and multiple quotas. Your rank and eligibility determine which specific seats you can access. Do not assume that a high clear vacancy count in a speciality guarantees you a seat; you must verify the institute-wise and quota-wise breakdown. Finally, remember that the matrices are snapshots at a specific point in time. MCC may release revised matrices before Round 2 begins, so check the official website regularly for updates.

• Do not add clear and virtual vacancy numbers together
• Virtual vacancies are not guaranteed; they depend on candidate movement
• Aggregate speciality numbers mask variation across institutes and quotas
• Your rank and quota eligibility determine which seats you can access
• Matrices may be revised; check the MCC website regularly for updates
• Refer to the latest MCC notices and counselling instructions before finalising preferences

Next Steps: Preparing for Round 2 Counselling

Now that the seat matrices are available, your immediate task is to download them from the MCC website and begin analysing your options. Identify your target specialities, note the clear vacancy counts, and cross-reference the institute-wise and quota-wise details. If you are unsure about your eligibility for a particular quota or institute, consult the MCC counselling instructions or contact your state counselling authority.

Prepare multiple versions of your preference list: an optimistic version (targeting competitive specialities and institutes), a realistic version (targeting specialities with moderate competition), and a conservative version (targeting specialities with high vacancy counts). This flexibility will help you adapt quickly if your rank falls in an unexpected range during allotment. Finally, stay alert for any further updates or revisions from MCC. Round 2 counselling is a dynamic process, and last-minute changes are possible. Keep your documents ready, verify your eligibility criteria, and be prepared to lock in your preferences as soon as the counselling portal opens.

• Download the three seat matrices from the MCC official website
• Analyse speciality-wise, institute-wise, and quota-wise availability
• Prepare multiple versions of your preference list
• Verify your eligibility for each quota and institute
• Stay alert for MCC updates and revisions
• Keep all documents ready for the counselling process
• Lock in your preferences promptly when the portal opens

Frequently asked questions

The Round 2 seat matrices represent a significant opportunity for MBBS doctors to secure a PG seat. Download the matrices from the MCC website, analyse your options carefully, and build a strategic preference list that balances your aspirations with realistic expectations. Stay alert for MCC updates and lock in your preferences promptly when counselling begins.