NEET PG Round 2 Seat Matrix 2026: MCC Updates Seats, Adds 31 at Naval Institute

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has released a revised seat matrix for NEET PG 2026 Round 2 counselling, reflecting changes across multiple medical institutions and specialities. The update includes the addition of 31 postgraduate seats at a major Armed Forces medical institute in Mumbai, the removal of 10 seats from a Punjab college, and reclassification of 45 DNB seats across Armed Forces institutions in four states. These changes will directly affect seat availability and competition ratios for candidates participating in Round 2 allotment, making it essential to understand which branches and quotas have been modified before finalising your choices.

What Changed in the NEET PG Round 2 Seat Matrix

The MCC announced modifications to the Round 2 seat matrix on 12 November 2026, based on information received directly from medical institutions regarding seat availability and quota adjustments. The changes span three categories: addition of new seats, removal of existing seats, and reclassification of quota assignments for DNB positions. These updates reflect real-time changes in institutional capacity and Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) requirements, and will be applied during the Round 2 seat processing phase.

The revised matrix is now the official reference document for all Round 2 candidates. MCC has explicitly stated that the updated seat matrix will be used for seat processing in Round 2, meaning any candidate who has already submitted their choices based on the earlier matrix should cross-check whether their preferred branches or institutions have been affected by these changes.

31 New MD and MS Seats Added at Naval Medicine Institute, Mumbai

The Institute of Naval Medicine, INHS Asvini, located in Colaba, Mumbai, has added 31 postgraduate medical seats to the Round 2 matrix. All 31 newly added seats fall under the Armed Forces Medical quota and are classified under the OP (Open) category. These seats represent a significant expansion of capacity at this Armed Forces institution and will be available to candidates who have applied for the Armed Forces Medical quota during NEET PG 2026.

For candidates with Armed Forces Medical quota eligibility (typically those with a service background or specific military affiliation), this addition increases the pool of available positions in MD and MS courses at this institute. The exact branch-wise distribution of these 31 seats has been included in the official revised matrix, which candidates should consult to identify which specialities have received the new positions. This is particularly relevant for candidates who ranked this institute highly in their choice list.

10 Seats Removed from Dr B R Ambedkar Institute, Mohali, Punjab

Dr B R Ambedkar State Institute of Medical Sciences in SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, has had 10 postgraduate seats removed from the All India quota in Round 2. The removed seats span multiple specialities and categories, affecting candidates who may have listed this institution in their preferences. The removal reflects institutional decisions regarding seat sustainability and resource allocation for the current counselling cycle.

The branch-wise breakdown shows removals across MS Otorhinolaryngology (ENT), MD General Medicine, MS General Surgery, MS Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and MS Orthopaedics, with seats removed from Open (OP), Scheduled Caste (SC), Backward Class (BC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Economically Weaker Section (EW) categories. Candidates who had this institute and these branches as their preferred choices should be prepared for a potential shift in their allotment outcome, as the total available seats in these specialities at this college have decreased.

• MS ENT: 2 seats removed (1 OP, 1 SC)
• MD General Medicine: 2 seats removed (1 BC, 1 ST)
• MS General Surgery: 2 seats removed (both OP)
• MS Obstetrics and Gynaecology: 2 seats removed (1 BC, 1 OP)
• MS Orthopaedics: 2 seats removed (1 EW, 1 SC)

45 DNB Seats Reclassified Across Armed Forces Institutions

Beyond seat additions and removals, MCC has announced quota reclassification for 45 DNB (Diplomate of National Board) seats across Armed Forces medical institutions in four states. These seats are not newly added; rather, their quota classification has been changed based on updated information from AFMS. The reclassification affects institutions in Delhi, Haryana, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh, with the largest impact in Delhi (31 seats affected).

The affected institutions include Base Hospital Delhi Cantt (31 DNB seats), Command Hospital Chandimandir in Haryana (7 seats), Command Hospital Air Force Bengaluru in Karnataka (1 seat), and 7 Air Force Hospital Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh (6 seats). MCC has clarified that these 45 seats should not be counted as newly added capacity; they represent a shift in how existing DNB positions are categorised within the quota system. Candidates pursuing DNB courses at Armed Forces institutions should verify whether their preferred centre has been affected and whether the quota reclassification impacts their eligibility.

• Base Hospital, Delhi Cantt: 31 DNB seats reclassified
• Command Hospital, Chandimandir, Panchkula (Haryana): 7 DNB seats reclassified
• Command Hospital Air Force, Bengaluru (Karnataka): 1 DNB seat reclassified
• 7 Air Force Hospital, Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh): 6 DNB seats reclassified

Why These Changes Matter for Round 2 Candidates

For candidates who did not secure a seat in Round 1 or who are participating in Round 2 for the first time, these matrix changes directly affect the competition landscape. The addition of 31 seats in Mumbai may reduce cutoff scores at that institute, while the removal of 10 seats in Punjab could increase competition for the remaining positions. The DNB reclassifications may alter eligibility or quota-based competition at Armed Forces centres, potentially opening or closing opportunities depending on your quota category.

The timing of these changes is critical: Round 2 registration was open until 14 November 2026, and candidates needed to fill their choice list based on the most current seat matrix. Any candidate who submitted their choices before these updates were announced should review whether their preferred institutions or branches have been affected. If significant changes have occurred at your top-choice colleges, you may have the opportunity to modify your choices if the registration window is still open or if MCC permits changes before seat processing begins.

How to Use the Revised Seat Matrix for Your Round 2 Strategy

The first step is to download the official revised seat matrix from the MCC website and cross-reference it with your original choice list. Identify which of your preferred institutions, branches, or quota categories have been affected by the changes. For candidates targeting the Naval Medicine institute in Mumbai, the addition of 31 seats may represent a new opportunity if you have Armed Forces Medical quota eligibility. For those who listed Mohali as a preference, the removal of 10 seats means fewer positions available and potentially higher competition for the remaining slots.

Next, assess how these changes affect your expected cutoff range. If a college you prefer has gained seats, your chances of allotment may improve; if it has lost seats, you may need to lower your expectations or shift your focus to alternative institutions. For DNB aspirants at Armed Forces centres, verify whether the quota reclassification affects your category eligibility. Finally, if you have not yet submitted your Round 2 choices or if MCC permits modifications, use this updated information to refine your preference order strategically.

Key Dates and Next Steps for Round 2 Counselling

Round 2 registration closed on 14 November 2026. Candidates who registered before the seat matrix revision should have received the updated matrix and had the opportunity to review their choices. The Round 2 seat allotment result was scheduled for 17 November 2026, meaning the revised matrix would be applied during seat processing. If you have already submitted your choices, monitor the MCC website for any further notifications or clarifications regarding the matrix changes.

If you are preparing for a future round of counselling or if you did not participate in Round 2, ensure you are familiar with the revised matrix before the next round opens. Keep the official MCC notification and the updated seat matrix saved for reference. If you have questions about how the changes affect your specific situation—your quota category, preferred branches, or target institutions—consult the detailed branch-wise and institution-wise tables provided in the official MCC notification.

Frequently asked questions

Review the official revised seat matrix on the MCC website immediately to identify how these changes affect your preferred institutions and branches. If you are in Round 2, cross-check your submitted choices against the updated matrix; if you are preparing for a future round, use this information to refine your strategy and set realistic expectations for cutoffs and competition.