NEET UG 2026 MBBS Seat Matrix: 140,664 Seats Across India

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has released the official Seat Matrix for Undergraduate MBBS courses for the academic year 2026–27, effective as of 18 September 2026. This matrix shows the approved number of seats at every government and private medical college across India, and is the document that counselling committees will use to conduct admissions. The matrix includes approvals from the Medical Assessment & Rating Board (MARB), the 1st Appeal Committee of NMC, and the 2nd Appeal Committee of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. A total of 140,664 MBBS seats are now available nationally—comprising 64,121 government seats and 76,543 private seats across 839 colleges. Importantly, this includes 3,850 seats in 41 newly established medical colleges (850 in 13 government colleges and 3,000 in 28 private colleges). This is the final, binding seat matrix for the 2026–27 admission season.

What is the Seat Matrix and Why It Matters

The Seat Matrix is the official, government-approved list of the exact number of MBBS seats available at every medical college in India for the 2026–27 academic year. It is not a suggestion or estimate—it is a binding document that governs all admissions. Every counselling committee (whether central, state, or institutional) must use this matrix to allocate seats to candidates. No college can admit more students than the number shown in this matrix for their institution.

This matrix matters to you because it determines where seats are available, how many seats each college has, and therefore which colleges you can be allotted to during counselling. If a college you are interested in has 150 seats in the matrix, only 150 students will be admitted there. If it has 250 seats, 250 will be admitted. The matrix is the foundation of the entire admission process.

Total Seat Count: 140,664 MBBS Seats Nationwide

The 2026–27 seat matrix authorizes a total of 140,664 MBBS seats across India. This breaks down as follows: 64,121 seats in government medical colleges and 76,543 seats in private medical colleges. These seats are distributed across 839 colleges: 447 government colleges and 392 private colleges.

This represents an increase from previous years, driven largely by the establishment of 41 new medical colleges (13 government and 28 private) that collectively bring 3,850 new MBBS seats into the system. The expansion is part of the government's effort to increase the availability of medical education and reduce the pressure on existing institutions.

• Total MBBS seats: 140,664
• Government seats: 64,121 (447 colleges)
• Private seats: 76,543 (392 colleges)
• Total colleges: 839
• New colleges: 41 (13 government, 28 private)
• New seats from new colleges: 3,850

State-Wise Seat Distribution

The 140,664 seats are distributed across all 35 states and union territories of India. The distribution is not uniform—it reflects the population, existing medical infrastructure, and policy decisions of each state. The top five states by total MBBS seat availability are: Uttar Pradesh (14,400 seats), Maharashtra (13,399 seats), Tamil Nadu (14,299 seats), Karnataka (15,745 seats), and Telangana (10,500 seats).

Smaller states and union territories have fewer seats. For example, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh each have 100 seats; Sikkim has 200 seats; and Goa has 250 seats. If you are applying from a smaller state, you may have fewer options within your home state, but you can apply to colleges in other states during counselling (subject to state-specific quotas and eligibility rules).

• Uttar Pradesh: 14,400 seats (92 colleges)
• Maharashtra: 13,399 seats (89 colleges)
• Tamil Nadu: 14,299 seats (78 colleges)
• Karnataka: 15,745 seats (76 colleges)
• Telangana: 10,500 seats (66 colleges)
• Rajasthan: 8,280 seats (51 colleges)
• Gujarat: 7,800 seats (42 colleges)
• West Bengal: 7,400 seats (41 colleges)
• Andhra Pradesh: 7,615 seats (40 colleges)
• Kerala: 5,754 seats (36 colleges)

New Medical Colleges and Increased Seats

A significant feature of the 2026–27 matrix is the inclusion of 41 newly established medical colleges, which collectively add 3,850 MBBS seats to the system. Of these, 13 are government colleges (contributing 850 seats) and 28 are private colleges (contributing 3,000 seats). These new colleges are spread across multiple states and represent a major expansion of medical education capacity.

In addition to new colleges, many existing colleges have been granted permission to increase their annual intake. The matrix shows 'seats increased' for each college—these are additional seats approved by MARB, the 1st Appeal Committee, or the 2nd Appeal Committee. For example, some colleges have been approved to increase their intake by 50 seats, others by 100 seats or more. These increases are reflected in the 'Total Seats' column for each college.

• 41 newly established medical colleges approved for 2026–27
• 13 new government colleges: 850 seats
• 28 new private colleges: 3,000 seats
• Total new seats: 3,850
• Existing colleges also granted seat increases (total increase: 13,636 seats across all colleges)

How the Seat Matrix Was Prepared

The seat matrix is not created arbitrarily. It is the result of a rigorous approval process involving multiple levels of review. The Medical Assessment & Rating Board (MARB) of the NMC evaluates applications from medical colleges seeking to establish new institutions or increase their intake capacity. MARB assesses whether the college meets infrastructure, faculty, and regulatory standards required by the NMC.

After MARB's decision, colleges can appeal to the 1st Appeal Committee of the NMC if they disagree. If they remain unsatisfied, they can appeal further to the 2nd Appeal Committee of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. The final seat matrix incorporates all approvals and appeal decisions made up to 18 September 2026. This means the matrix is current and reflects the most recent regulatory decisions.

• MARB (Medical Assessment & Rating Board) evaluates applications and grants initial approvals
• 1st Appeal Committee (NMC) reviews appeals from colleges
• 2nd Appeal Committee (Ministry of Health & Family Welfare) reviews further appeals
• Final matrix incorporates all approvals and decisions as of 18 September 2026
• Matrix is subject to revision if new appeal decisions are made

Critical Rule: Admissions Must Match the Approved Seat Count

The NMC has issued a strict directive: every medical college must admit students only against the number of seats shown in this matrix. Not one seat more. The notice explicitly states that 'any admission made in excess of the approved intake capacity shall be treated as non-compliance of the provisions of the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, and the regulations framed thereunder, and shall attract appropriate regulatory and penal action against the defaulting Medical College/Institution.'

This is not a warning—it is a legal requirement. Colleges that violate this rule face regulatory action and penalties. For you as a candidate, this means: (1) the seat count in the matrix is guaranteed and binding, and (2) if a college tries to admit more students than its approved number, those excess admissions may be invalidated. Always verify the approved seat count for a college before accepting an admission offer.

• ⚠️ Colleges must admit ONLY the number of students shown in the matrix
• ⚠️ Excess admissions are illegal and subject to regulatory and penal action
• ⚠️ Counselling committees must not permit admissions beyond approved seats
• ✅ Verify the approved seat count for every college before accepting admission

How to Use This Seat Matrix During Counselling

During NEET UG 2026 counselling, the seat matrix will be used by counselling committees to determine which seats are available for allocation. When you register for counselling and fill your choice of colleges, the system will show you only the colleges and seats that are available according to this matrix. You cannot be offered a seat at a college that is not in the matrix, and you cannot be offered more seats than the college has.

The matrix is also used to determine the quota breakdown for each college. For example, if a college has 100 seats, the matrix may specify that 85 seats are for the general category, 10 for OBC, and 5 for SC/ST. The counselling system will allocate seats according to these quotas. If you want to know the exact seat breakdown for a specific college, you can refer to the detailed college-by-college list in the matrix (which lists each college's total approved seats).

• Counselling committees use this matrix to allocate seats
• Only colleges in the matrix can offer admissions
• Only the approved number of seats per college can be filled
• Quota breakdowns (if specified) are determined by this matrix
• You can cross-check your college's seat count in the matrix before counselling

Government vs. Private College Seats

Of the 140,664 total MBBS seats, 64,121 (45.6%) are in government medical colleges and 76,543 (54.4%) are in private medical colleges. This means that slightly more than half of all MBBS seats are in private institutions. Government seats are typically more affordable (lower fees) and are often reserved for candidates from economically weaker sections and reserved categories. Private seats are generally more expensive but may offer more flexibility in admission criteria.

The distribution of government vs. private seats varies by state. Some states have a higher proportion of government colleges (e.g., Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh), while others have more private colleges. When choosing colleges during counselling, consider both the type of institution and the fees structure, as these will affect your financial commitment and educational experience.

• Government seats: 64,121 (45.6% of total)
• Private seats: 76,543 (54.4% of total)
• Government colleges: 447 institutions
• Private colleges: 392 institutions
• Government seats typically have lower fees; private seats are more expensive

Important: The Matrix Is Subject to Revision

The NMC has stated that 'the enclosed seat matrix shall remain subject to revision, if required, based on the decisions of the Appeal Committee or any other competent authority.' This means that if new appeals are decided or if regulatory changes occur after 18 September 2026, the matrix may be updated. However, such revisions are typically minor and do not affect the vast majority of colleges.

If you are tracking a specific college or state, check the NMC website periodically for any updates to the matrix. The most current version will always be available on the NMC portal. Counselling committees are also required to refer any discrepancies they notice in the matrix to MARB for clarification before proceeding with admissions.

• Matrix is current as of 18 September 2026
• Subject to revision based on future appeal decisions
• Check NMC website for any updates before counselling
• Counselling committees must report discrepancies to MARB

College-by-College Seat Details

The full seat matrix includes a detailed list of all 839 colleges, showing the exact number of seats approved for each. The list is organized state-by-state and includes both government and private colleges. For each college, the matrix shows: (1) the college code, (2) the college name, (3) the management type (government or private), (4) the number of seats renewed (i.e., seats that were approved in previous years and are continuing), (5) the number of seats increased (new seats approved for 2026–27), and (6) the total approved seats for 2026–27.

You can use this list to identify all colleges in your preferred state or region, and to verify the seat count for any college you are interested in. The list is comprehensive and includes colleges across all 35 states and union territories. If you cannot find a college in the list, it means that college is not approved to offer MBBS admissions for 2026–27 (or it may be an INI—Institute of National Importance—which is excluded from this matrix).

• Matrix lists all 839 colleges with individual seat counts
• Organized by state and management type (government/private)
• Shows seats renewed, seats increased, and total seats for each college
• Includes college code and college name for easy identification
• If a college is not in the list, it is not approved for MBBS admissions in 2026–27

What Happens If a College Tries to Admit More Students Than Approved

If a medical college attempts to admit more students than the number shown in the seat matrix, the NMC will take regulatory and penal action against that college. This could include suspension of recognition, cancellation of affiliation, or other penalties. For students admitted in excess of the approved number, their admissions may be invalidated, and they may not be recognized as legitimate students of that college.

To protect yourself: (1) always verify the approved seat count for a college before accepting an admission offer, (2) if you receive an admission offer from a college, cross-check the college's seat count in this matrix, and (3) if you suspect a college is admitting more students than approved, report it to the NMC or the state medical education authority.

• ⚠️ Excess admissions are illegal and subject to NMC action
• ⚠️ Colleges violating the seat limit face suspension or cancellation of recognition
• ⚠️ Students admitted in excess may have their admissions invalidated
• ✅ Verify seat count before accepting admission
• ✅ Report suspected violations to NMC or state authority

Frequently asked questions

The 2026–27 MBBS seat matrix is now official and binding. With 140,664 seats across 839 colleges nationwide, this is the document that will govern all NEET UG counselling and admissions. Download the full matrix from the NMC website (nmc.org.in), verify the seat count for colleges you are interested in, and use this information to make informed choices during counselling. Remember: colleges must admit only the approved number of students, and any excess admission is illegal. If you have questions about a specific college or state, consult your state counselling authority or the NMC directly.