SMBT Igatpuri Deemed University: NEET-PG Moves to MCC from 2026-27

SMBT Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre in Igatpuri, Maharashtra, has been granted deemed-to-be university status by India's Ministry of Education. This recognition brings a significant shift in how postgraduate medical admissions will be handled at the institution starting from the 2026-27 academic year. From next year, NEET-PG candidates seeking MD, MS, DM, and MCh seats at SMBT will apply through the national Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) system rather than state-level counselling. However, undergraduate programmes including MBBS, BDS, and nursing courses will continue to operate under Maharashtra's state counselling framework. This mixed-model approach reflects a broader trend of private medical colleges transitioning to deemed university status while maintaining state-level undergraduate pathways.

What is deemed-to-be university status and why does it matter for NEET-PG?

Deemed-to-be university status is a regulatory classification granted by India's Ministry of Education that allows an institution to operate with greater autonomy in academic and administrative matters, similar to a central university. For a medical college, this status carries significant implications for how postgraduate admissions are conducted and which counselling authority manages seat allocation.

Under deemed status, SMBT will now conduct its postgraduate medical admissions through the national MCC system rather than relying on state-level counselling mechanisms. This means NEET-PG candidates from across India will compete for SMBT's MD, MS, DM, and MCh seats on an equal footing, rather than seats being reserved or prioritised for Maharashtra domicile candidates. The shift aligns SMBT's postgraduate pathway with how most central government medical colleges and other deemed institutions manage their PG admissions.

How will NEET-PG admissions change at SMBT from 2026-27?

Beginning in the 2026-27 academic year, all postgraduate medical admissions at SMBT—including MD, MS, DM, and MCh programmes—will be managed by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC). This is a departure from the previous arrangement where state counselling authorities may have handled these admissions. MCC operates a centralised, merit-based counselling system that allocates seats across participating institutions based on NEET-PG scores and candidate preferences.

The transition to MCC counselling means that SMBT's postgraduate seats will now be part of the national pool. Candidates will register on the MCC portal, participate in centralised counselling rounds, and receive seat allotments based on their rank, category, and choice of speciality and institution. This process is transparent, competitive, and follows the same rules as admissions to government medical colleges and other deemed institutions across India. Aspirants should note that the exact number of seats, fee structure, and any institutional preferences will be clarified in detailed guidelines to be issued by SMBT separately.

Which courses at SMBT will move to MCC and which will stay under state counselling?

SMBT's transition to deemed status is not uniform across all programmes. Postgraduate medical and professional courses—MD, MS, DM, MCh, BPharm, MPharm, physiotherapy, and Ayurveda MD/MS—will now be offered under the deemed university framework and will use MCC-based admissions for medical programmes. However, undergraduate and certain other courses will continue to operate under the existing Maharashtra state system.

Specifically, MBBS, BDS, BSc Nursing, and MSc Nursing admissions will remain under the Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test Cell and will continue to be affiliated with Maharashtra University of Health Sciences. Students admitted to these programmes will remain part of the state university system, and their examinations will be conducted by the state university. Additionally, DPharm, BDS, and MDS will not be constituent courses of the deemed university and will continue their admission process as before. This dual-track model allows SMBT to operate postgraduate medical programmes at a national level while maintaining state-level undergraduate pathways.

• Moving to MCC: MD, MS, DM, MCh, BPharm, MPharm, physiotherapy, Ayurveda MD/MS
• Remaining under Maharashtra state counselling: MBBS, BDS, BSc Nursing, MSc Nursing
• Continuing as before: DPharm, BDS, MDS (not constituent courses of deemed university)

What does this mean for NEET-PG aspirants planning to apply to SMBT?

For MBBS doctors preparing for NEET-PG and considering SMBT for postgraduate training, the shift to MCC counselling is a positive development in terms of transparency and national-level competition. Previously, if SMBT's admissions were state-managed, there may have been domicile-based reservations or preferences. Under MCC, all candidates compete on merit alone, and seat allocation follows a standardised, published algorithm. This removes ambiguity and ensures that your NEET-PG rank is the primary determinant of your chances.

However, aspirants should be aware that SMBT's postgraduate seats will now be part of a much larger national pool. This means competition may be stiffer, and the cutoff rank required to secure a seat at SMBT may shift compared to previous years. It is advisable to monitor SMBT's official announcements for details on the number of seats available, fee structure, and any institutional preferences or eligibility criteria specific to each speciality. Additionally, since the transition begins in 2026-27, candidates applying in NEET-PG 2026 should verify whether SMBT's seats are included in that counselling round or if the change takes effect only from 2027 onwards.

Broader trend: Other Maharashtra medical colleges moving to deemed status

SMBT's transition is part of a wider movement among private medical colleges in Maharashtra to seek deemed university status. Recently, the Maharashtra Cabinet approved the conversion of two other medical colleges—NKP Salve Medical College in Nagpur and Dr Vitthalrao Vikhe Patil Foundation Medical College in Ahilyanagar—into private universities affiliated with Lata Mangeshkar University and Balasaheb Vikhe Patil University, respectively. Additionally, KJ Somaiya Medical College in Mumbai has applied for deemed status, and BKL Walawalkar Rural Medical College in Ratnagiri is also a potential candidate.

This trend reflects a strategic shift by private medical institutions to gain greater autonomy and access to national-level admissions systems. For NEET-PG aspirants, this means an increasing number of private medical college seats will be allocated through MCC rather than state counselling, expanding the national pool of available seats and potentially increasing competition. On the positive side, it standardises the admission process and reduces the influence of state-specific policies. Aspirants should stay informed about which institutions are transitioning and how this affects their counselling strategy and seat availability in their preferred specialities.

What should NEET-PG aspirants do now?

If you are preparing for NEET-PG and SMBT is on your list of preferred institutions, take the following steps. First, verify the exact timeline: confirm whether SMBT's postgraduate seats are included in NEET-PG 2026 counselling or only from 2027 onwards. Second, monitor SMBT's official website and the MCC portal for detailed guidelines on seat numbers, fee structure, and speciality-wise eligibility. Third, familiarise yourself with how MCC counselling works—the registration process, choice-filling, and seat allotment rounds—so you are prepared when counselling begins.

Additionally, consider how this change affects your overall counselling strategy. With SMBT now part of the national MCC system, you may need to adjust your expected cutoff ranks and seat availability estimates. Compare SMBT's postgraduate offerings with other deemed institutions and government colleges in your preferred specialities to make an informed choice during counselling. Finally, stay updated on similar transitions by other Maharashtra medical colleges, as these changes will reshape the landscape of available seats and competition in the coming years.

Frequently asked questions

SMBT Igatpuri's transition to deemed university status marks a significant shift in how postgraduate medical admissions will be conducted at the institution. NEET-PG aspirants should stay informed about the exact timeline, seat numbers, and fee structure by monitoring SMBT's official website and the MCC portal. As more private medical colleges in Maharashtra pursue similar transitions, the landscape of available postgraduate seats and competition will continue to evolve—making it essential to plan your counselling strategy carefully.