Tamil Nadu NEET UG 2026 Round 2: 250 New MBBS Seats Added – Modify Choices Now

Tamil Nadu's Selection Committee has just announced the addition of 250 new MBBS seats across three medical colleges, effective immediately in Round 2 online counselling for the 2026-27 session. Two existing self-financing colleges (Madha Medical College, Chennai, and Arunai Medical College, Tiruvannamalai) have each received approval to increase their intake by 50 seats. A newly established self-financing college, APS Medical College Hospital in Kancheepuram, has been granted permission to admit 150 students in its first year. All three colleges have received Letters of Permission (LoP) from the National Medical Commission (NMC) and the University. This is a significant opportunity: if you are already in Round 2 counselling, you can now edit your choice list to include these colleges. Even if you have already submitted your choices, you are permitted to modify, reorder, and add these new options.

What Has Changed: The Three New Colleges and Seat Additions

The Selection Committee has received formal regulatory approval to include three medical colleges in Round 2 counselling, adding a total of 250 MBBS seats to the available pool. This is not a new counselling round — these seats are being integrated directly into the ongoing Round 2 process, which means you do not need to register again or apply separately.

Two of the colleges are existing self-financing institutions that have been permitted to increase their student intake. Madha Medical College and Hospital in Thandalam, Chennai, will add 50 seats to its existing approved intake. Arunai Medical College and Hospital in Tiruvannamalai will also add 50 seats. The third college, APS Medical College Hospital in Mevaloorkuppam, Kancheepuram, is newly established and has been granted permission to admit 150 students in its inaugural year — this is its initial intake under a new Letter of Permission from the NMC.

All three colleges are self-financing institutions. This means the fees, hostel charges, and other costs will be set by the college management, not by the government. The seats will be divided between Government Quota and Management Quota according to Tamil Nadu's prevailing rules, and communal reservations (SC, ST, OBC, etc.) will apply as per government guidelines.

• Madha Medical College, Thandalam, Chennai: +50 seats (self-financing, increased intake)
• Arunai Medical College, Tiruvannamalai: +50 seats (self-financing, increased intake)
• APS Medical College Hospital, Mevaloorkuppam, Kancheepuram: 150 seats (newly established, self-financing, initial intake)

Who Is Eligible to Apply for These Seats

You are eligible to apply for these newly added seats if you are already participating in Round 2 online counselling for MBBS/BDS in Tamil Nadu. The notice does not impose any new eligibility criteria — your NEET UG 2026 score, state rank, category, and reservation status remain the same as they were for Round 1.

The key requirement is that you must be an eligible candidate in the ongoing Round 2 process. If you have already locked your choices in Round 2, you are still permitted to unlock, modify, and add these colleges. If you have not yet submitted your choices, you can include these colleges in your initial submission. The Selection Committee has explicitly stated that all eligible candidates participating in Round 2, including those who have already submitted, can edit, reorder, and add choices for these three colleges.

Seats will be allotted strictly according to your NEET UG 2026 state rank, your communal reservation category (if applicable), and the preference order in which you list the colleges. If you rank high enough and list one of these colleges in your preferences, you may be allotted a seat — but only if your rank falls within the cutoff for that college and quota.

• You must be a candidate already registered and participating in Round 2 counselling
• Your NEET UG 2026 score and state rank determine your eligibility for each college
• Your category (General, SC, ST, OBC, etc.) and any applicable reservation will be honoured
• You can modify your choices even if you have already submitted them in Round 2

How Seats Will Be Divided: Government Quota vs. Management Quota

Although all three colleges are self-financing, the seats will not all be available to every candidate. Tamil Nadu's government has a policy that divides seats in self-financing medical colleges between Government Quota (seats filled by the state counselling authority) and Management Quota (seats filled by the college directly). The exact ratio — for example, 50% government and 50% management, or 40% and 60% — is set by the government and varies by college and year.

The notice states that seats will be apportioned 'as per the prevailing Government and Management Quota ratio and Communal Reservation guidelines of the Government of Tamil Nadu.' This means you need to check the official counselling portal (www.tnmedicalselection.org) to find out exactly how many of the 250 new seats are available through state counselling (Government Quota) and how many are reserved for the college to fill directly (Management Quota).

Within the Government Quota seats, communal reservations will apply. Tamil Nadu reserves seats for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and other categories as per state law. If you belong to a reserved category, you will compete only with other candidates in your category for those reserved seats, which typically gives you a better chance of admission. If you are in the General category, you will compete with all General category candidates across the state.

• Seats are divided between Government Quota (state counselling) and Management Quota (college direct admission)
• The exact ratio for each college will be published on the official portal
• Communal reservations (SC, ST, OBC, etc.) apply within Government Quota seats
• Your rank and category determine which seats you are eligible for

Important: These Are Self-Financing Colleges — Understand the Fee Structure

All three colleges — Madha, Arunai, and APS — are self-financing institutions. This is a critical distinction. Unlike government medical colleges, which charge nominal fees set by the state, self-financing colleges set their own fees. The fees at these colleges are typically much higher — often ₹10–20 lakh or more per year, depending on the college and the course. Before you add these colleges to your choice list, you must be prepared for this financial commitment.

The notice does not specify the exact fee structure for any of these colleges. You must visit each college's official website or contact their admissions office directly to find out the total cost of the MBBS course (usually 4.5 years), including tuition, hostel, and other charges. Some colleges offer scholarships or installment payment options — ask about these when you inquire.

If you are admitted to one of these colleges and cannot afford the fees, you will lose your seat. Therefore, before you list these colleges in your preferences, confirm with your family that you can meet the financial obligation. Do not add a college to your choice list unless you are genuinely willing and able to attend if you are allotted a seat there.

• All three colleges are self-financing — fees are set by the college, not the government
• Expected fees are typically ₹10–20 lakh or more per year (exact amount varies by college)
• The notice does not provide fee details — contact each college directly
• Confirm your family's financial capacity before adding these colleges to your preferences
• Failure to pay fees after admission will result in loss of your seat

How to Modify Your Choices: Step-by-Step Instructions

The Selection Committee has explicitly permitted all candidates in Round 2 to edit, reorder, and add choices for these three newly added colleges. Whether you have already submitted your choice list or not, you can now log in to the official counselling portal and make changes.

Here is what you need to do: (1) Visit the official Tamil Nadu medical counselling website at www.tnmedicalselection.org. (2) Log in using your NEET UG 2026 registration number and password. (3) Navigate to the 'Choice Filling' or 'Modify Choices' section for Round 2. (4) You will see a list of all available colleges, including the three newly added ones: Madha Medical College, Arunai Medical College, and APS Medical College Hospital. (5) Add these colleges to your preference list in the order you prefer them. You can rank them 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or lower, depending on your preference and your estimated rank. (6) Save your changes. (7) If the portal requires you to 'lock' your choices, do so only when you are completely satisfied with your list.

Important: The notice does not specify a deadline for modifying your choices. However, because Round 2 counselling is already ongoing, the choice modification window may close soon. You should log in and make your changes immediately — do not delay. Check the official portal for the exact closing date and time for choice modification. If you miss the deadline, you will not be able to add these colleges to your list.

• Visit www.tnmedicalselection.org and log in with your NEET UG 2026 credentials
• Go to the 'Choice Filling' or 'Modify Choices' section for Round 2
• Search for and add Madha Medical College, Arunai Medical College, and APS Medical College Hospital
• Rank them in your preferred order (1st choice, 2nd choice, etc.)
• Save and lock your choices before the deadline
• Do this immediately — the modification window may close soon

How Seats Will Be Allotted: Rank, Preference, and Reservation

Once you have submitted your modified choice list, the Selection Committee will run the allotment algorithm. Seats will be allotted strictly based on three factors: (1) your NEET UG 2026 state rank, (2) your communal reservation category (if applicable), and (3) the order in which you have listed the colleges in your preferences.

Here is how it works: The system will process candidates in order of their state rank, starting with the highest rank (Rank 1). For each candidate, it will check their preference list from top to bottom. If the candidate's rank is high enough to qualify for a seat at their 1st choice college in their category, they will be allotted that seat and removed from further consideration. If not, the system moves to their 2nd choice, and so on. Once a seat is allotted to a candidate, it is no longer available for other candidates.

This means your rank is crucial. If your state rank is very high (e.g., Rank 500), you are likely to get a seat at one of these colleges if you list them in your preferences. If your rank is lower (e.g., Rank 50,000), you may not qualify for a seat at any of these colleges, depending on how many candidates with higher ranks have also listed them. The cutoff rank for each college will depend on the total number of seats available, the number of candidates competing, and the distribution of ranks across categories. The Selection Committee will publish the final allotment result on the official portal after the algorithm runs.

• Allotment is based on NEET UG 2026 state rank (higher rank = better chance)
• Your communal reservation category is honoured (SC, ST, OBC, General, etc.)
• Seats are allotted in the order of your preferences (1st choice first, then 2nd, etc.)
• Once a seat is allotted, it is no longer available
• The final cutoff rank for each college will be published after allotment

Key Dates and Deadlines: What You Must Know

The notice was issued on 09 September 2026 and is marked 'ATTENTION URGENT NOTIFICATION,' indicating that action is required immediately. However, the notice does not specify a deadline for choice modification. This is a critical gap — you do not know exactly when the choice modification window will close.

What we know: Round 2 counselling is already ongoing. The three colleges have just been added to the pool. You are permitted to modify your choices now. But the window will not remain open indefinitely — it will close at some point, after which you will not be able to add or change colleges.

What you must do: Visit www.tnmedicalselection.org immediately and check the 'Important Dates' or 'Schedule' section for the exact deadline for choice modification in Round 2. Do not assume you have days to decide — the deadline could be within hours. Modify your choices as soon as possible. After the choice modification deadline, the Selection Committee will run the allotment algorithm and publish results. You will then be notified of your allotted college (if any).

• Notification issued: 09 September 2026
• Choice modification deadline: NOT specified in the notice — check the official portal immediately
• Action required: Modify your choices before the deadline closes
• Next step: Allotment algorithm will run after the deadline
• Result publication: Check the official portal for the allotment result

Why This Matters: More Seats, More Opportunities

The addition of 250 new MBBS seats is significant for candidates in Tamil Nadu. In previous rounds, if your rank was just below the cutoff for a particular college, you would not get a seat. Now, with 250 additional seats spread across three colleges, the cutoff ranks may shift, and you may have a better chance of admission. Even if you did not get a seat in Round 1, you may qualify for one of these newly added seats in Round 2.

However, this opportunity comes with a caveat: these are self-financing colleges, not government colleges. The fees are high, and the quality of education, infrastructure, and placement outcomes may vary. Before you get excited about the additional seats, research each college thoroughly. Check their accreditation status, faculty qualifications, infrastructure, and past placement records. Read reviews from current students and alumni. Make an informed decision about whether attending one of these colleges is worth the financial investment.

The fact that APS Medical College is newly established is also important to note. A new college may not have a track record of placements, alumni network, or established reputation. While it has received NMC approval, which is a positive sign, you should be cautious about joining a college with no history. Ask the college for details about their faculty, infrastructure, and plans for clinical training and internships.

• 250 new seats increase your chances of getting admission in Round 2
• Cutoff ranks may shift downward, benefiting candidates with lower ranks
• All three colleges are self-financing — fees are high
• Research each college's accreditation, faculty, infrastructure, and placements before deciding
• APS Medical College is newly established — ask about their track record and plans

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Not modifying your choices in time. The choice modification window will close at a specific time. If you delay, you will miss the deadline and will not be able to add these colleges. Check the portal now and modify your choices immediately.

Mistake 2: Adding a college without checking the fees. Self-financing colleges charge high fees. If you add a college to your preference list and then get allotted a seat, you will be expected to pay the fees. If you cannot afford them, you will lose your seat and may face penalties. Before you add a college, confirm that your family can afford the fees.

Mistake 3: Misunderstanding the quota system. Not all 250 seats are available to all candidates. Some seats are reserved for Government Quota, some for Management Quota, and within each quota, seats are reserved for SC, ST, OBC, and other categories. Your rank and category determine which seats you are eligible for. Do not assume you will get a seat just because 250 new seats have been added.

Mistake 4: Not checking the official portal for updates. The Selection Committee has stated that candidates should visit www.tnmedicalselection.org regularly for schedule revisions and real-time updates. The choice modification deadline, allotment date, and other important information will be posted on the portal. If you do not check regularly, you may miss critical deadlines.

Mistake 5: Ranking colleges in the wrong order. Your preference order matters. If you list a college as your 1st choice and your rank qualifies for a seat there, you will be allotted that seat, even if you would have preferred a different college. Think carefully about the order in which you rank the colleges. List your most preferred college first, your second most preferred second, and so on.

• ⚠️ Do not delay — modify your choices immediately before the deadline closes
• ⚠️ Confirm your family can afford the fees before adding a self-financing college
• ⚠️ Understand that not all 250 seats are available to you — quota and category restrictions apply
• ⚠️ Check the official portal regularly for updates and deadlines
• ⚠️ Rank colleges in the order you actually prefer them — your preference order determines your allotment

Where to Find More Information and Support

The official source for all information about Round 2 counselling, including the newly added colleges, is the Tamil Nadu medical counselling portal: www.tnmedicalselection.org. This portal will have the latest schedule, choice modification deadlines, allotment results, and any further updates. Check it regularly — at least once a day during the counselling period.

If you have questions about your eligibility, your rank, or how the allotment algorithm works, contact the Selection Committee, Directorate of Medical Education & Research, Kilpack, Chennai-10. The notice does not provide a phone number or email address, but you can find contact details on the official portal or by searching online for 'Tamil Nadu DME counselling contact.'

For information about fees, infrastructure, faculty, and placements at each of the three colleges, visit their official websites or contact their admissions offices directly. Do not rely on unofficial sources or social media — get information directly from the colleges.

• Official portal: www.tnmedicalselection.org (check daily for updates)
• Authority: Selection Committee, Directorate of Medical Education & Research, Kilpack, Chennai-10
• College websites: Visit Madha Medical College, Arunai Medical College, and APS Medical College websites for fees and details
• Contact colleges directly for admissions queries

Frequently asked questions

The addition of 250 new MBBS seats in Round 2 counselling is a significant opportunity, but you must act immediately. Visit www.tnmedicalselection.org right now to find the exact deadline for choice modification, research the three colleges (Madha, Arunai, and APS Medical Colleges), confirm your family's financial capacity, and modify your choice list before the deadline closes. Do not delay — the window to add these colleges may close within hours. Check the official portal daily for updates on allotment dates and results.