The Directorate General of Medical Education and Training (DGME), Uttar Pradesh, has released the official seat matrix for UP NEET-PG Counselling 2026, marking a critical milestone for postgraduate medical aspirants in the state. The matrix details institution-wise, course-wise, and category-wise availability of seats for MD/MS programmes and DNB (Diplomate of National Board) broad-speciality courses across Round 1 of counselling. This document is essential for every MBBS graduate planning to pursue postgraduate training in Uttar Pradesh, as it allows candidates to assess seat availability in their preferred colleges and specialities before the counselling process begins. Understanding the seat distribution—both government and private—will help aspirants make informed choices during counselling registration and preference filling.
Uttar Pradesh has released the NEET-PG 2026 seat matrix showing 3,961 MD/MS seats (1,095 government, 2,866 private) and 164 DNB seats across 71 institutions for Round 1 counselling.
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Unlock My College ListWhat the Seat Matrix Contains and Why It Matters
The seat matrix published by UP DGME is a comprehensive document that breaks down postgraduate medical seats by individual college, speciality, and reservation category. Rather than simply listing the total number of seats available in a speciality across the state, the matrix provides granular details—showing exactly how many seats are available at each institution, how many fall under general category, and how many are reserved for scheduled castes (SC), scheduled tribes (ST), other backward classes (OBC), and other applicable subcategories.
For a NEET-PG aspirant, this level of detail is invaluable. It allows you to cross-reference your expected rank with the actual seat availability at colleges you are interested in, rather than making assumptions based on previous years' data. The matrix also reveals which colleges offer zero seats in certain specialities, preventing wasted preference entries during counselling.
MD/MS Seat Distribution: Government vs. Private Colleges
The MD/MS seat matrix for UP NEET-PG 2026 lists a total of 3,961 seats across 71 medical colleges and institutions in Uttar Pradesh. Of these, 1,095 seats are in government institutions (including autonomous state medical colleges and government medical colleges), while 2,866 seats are in private medical colleges. This roughly 28% government and 72% private split reflects the current landscape of postgraduate medical education in the state.
Government seats typically carry lower fees, a stipend during training, and often a bond period (mandatory service in government facilities after completion). Private seats, while more expensive, may offer greater flexibility in terms of location and sometimes shorter bond periods. Understanding this split helps you plan your financial and career strategy. If you are aiming for a government seat, your rank will need to be competitive enough to secure one of the 1,095 available positions. If private seats are an option, you have significantly more choices but will need to budget for tuition fees.
- Total MD/MS seats: 3,961
- Government seats: 1,095 (28%)
- Private seats: 2,866 (72%)
- Participating institutions: 71 colleges
DNB Seats: Smaller Pool, Concentrated in Select Institutions
The DNB seat matrix reveals 164 total seats across 51 institutions in Uttar Pradesh. DNB (Diplomate of National Board) is a broad-speciality postgraduate qualification recognized nationally and is counselled alongside MD/MS seats under the NEET-PG framework. Unlike MD/MS, which are university-affiliated degrees, DNB seats are offered by hospitals and medical colleges affiliated with the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS).
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The distribution of DNB seats is more dispersed than MD/MS seats. For example, Autonomous State Medical College, Tiloi (Amethi) offers 10 DNB seats, while Balrampur Hospital in Lucknow offers 11. Many smaller district hospitals and autonomous medical colleges offer between 1 and 6 seats. This means that if you are interested in DNB, you will need to carefully review which institutions near your preferred location or speciality have seats available, as the options are fewer and more geographically scattered than MD/MS.
- Total DNB seats: 164
- Participating institutions: 51 hospitals and medical colleges
- Seat range per institution: 1–11 seats
- Largest DNB offerings: Balrampur Hospital (11), Autonomous State Medical College Tiloi (10)
How to Use the Seat Matrix During Counselling Registration
Once you receive your NEET-PG 2026 rank, the seat matrix becomes your primary tool for strategic preference filling. The first step is to identify all colleges and specialities where your rank is likely to secure a seat. Cross-reference your rank against previous years' cutoff data (which will be published separately by UP DGME) to estimate your chances at each institution and category.
Next, list your preferences in order of priority. The matrix helps you understand the competition: if a speciality has only a few seats at your preferred college, your rank will need to be higher to secure it. Conversely, if a college has many seats in a particular speciality, your chances improve. Many aspirants make the mistake of filling preferences without consulting the matrix, leading to either no seat allocation or allocation to an undesired college. By studying the matrix carefully, you can optimize your preference list to maximize the likelihood of securing a seat in your chosen speciality and location.
- Obtain your NEET-PG rank and expected category
- Cross-reference the matrix with previous years' cutoffs
- Identify colleges and specialities where your rank is competitive
- Fill preferences strategically, starting with your most preferred options
- Avoid leaving gaps in your preference list; include backup options
- Note that some specialities may have zero seats at certain colleges
Key Colleges and Their Seat Offerings
Several premier institutions in Uttar Pradesh dominate the MD/MS seat matrix. King George's Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow, offers 186 MD/MS seats, making it the largest contributor to the state's postgraduate capacity. Rohilkhand Medical College, Bareilly, offers 166 seats, and Rajshree Medical Research Institute, Bareilly, offers 133 seats. These large institutions attract highly competitive candidates and typically require higher ranks to secure admission.
Mid-tier institutions such as Sarojini Naidu Medical College, Agra (106 seats), Saraswati Institute of Medical Sciences, Hapur (104 seats), and Subharti Medical College, Meerut (146 seats) offer more seats than smaller colleges but remain competitive. Smaller autonomous medical colleges and district hospitals offer between 2 and 30 seats, providing options for candidates with lower ranks or those seeking admission in less competitive locations. Understanding this hierarchy helps you calibrate your expectations and preference strategy.
- KGMU, Lucknow: 186 MD/MS seats (largest)
- Rohilkhand Medical College, Bareilly: 166 seats
- Rajshree Medical Research Institute, Bareilly: 133 seats
- Shri Ram Murti Smarak Institute, Bareilly: 133 seats
- School of Medical Sciences & Research, Sharda University: 136 seats
- Smaller autonomous colleges: 2–30 seats each
Category-Wise Seat Reservations and Your Eligibility
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The seat matrix includes separate columns for different reservation categories: general (unreserved), SC, ST, OBC, and other applicable subcategories such as economically weaker sections (EWS) where applicable. Your eligibility for reserved seats depends on your caste/tribe status and whether you meet the criteria for EWS (if applicable). It is crucial to verify your category status with the relevant authorities before counselling begins.
If you belong to a reserved category, the matrix shows you exactly how many seats are reserved for your category at each institution. This is important because reserved seats often have lower cutoff ranks than general seats, potentially improving your chances of admission. However, if you are in the general category, you compete for general seats only (unless you are eligible for EWS). Understanding the category-wise distribution helps you assess your realistic chances at each college and make informed decisions about your preference list.
- General (unreserved) seats: compete with all candidates
- SC/ST/OBC reserved seats: lower cutoff ranks typically
- EWS seats: available if you meet income criteria
- Verify your category status before counselling registration
- Check the matrix for category-wise seat availability at each college
- Reserved seats may offer better chances if your rank is borderline
Speciality-Wise Seat Availability and Competition
The seat matrix also reveals which specialities have the most seats available across the state. Traditionally, internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, and obstetrics & gynaecology have higher seat counts because they are core specialities with mandatory positions in most medical colleges. Conversely, specialities such as dermatology, psychiatry, and certain surgical subspecialties may have fewer seats, making them more competitive.
If you have a specific speciality preference, the matrix allows you to count the total number of seats available across all institutions and estimate the competition level. For example, if a speciality has only 50 seats across the entire state and 500 candidates are competing for it, your rank will need to be in the top 10% to secure a seat. This analysis helps you decide whether to pursue your preferred speciality or consider alternatives where your rank is more competitive. Some aspirants strategically choose less competitive specialities to secure admission at a better-ranked college, then pursue their preferred speciality during super-speciality training (NEET-SS) later.
- Core specialities (medicine, surgery, pediatrics, OBG): higher seat counts
- Competitive specialities (dermatology, psychiatry, ophthalmology): fewer seats
- Count total seats in your preferred speciality across all colleges
- Estimate competition level based on seat availability
- Consider less competitive specialities if your rank is borderline
- Remember that speciality choice now does not lock you into that field forever
Important Dates and Next Steps for Counselling
The release of the seat matrix marks the beginning of the active counselling phase. Typically, UP DGME will announce the counselling schedule, including registration dates, preference-filling windows, and seat allocation dates. It is essential to mark these dates on your calendar and prepare your preference list well in advance. Do not wait until the last moment to fill preferences; technical glitches or internet issues on the final day could result in incomplete or incorrect submissions.
Before counselling begins, gather all necessary documents (NEET-PG admit card, rank letter, degree certificate, caste certificate if applicable, EWS certificate if applicable, and identity proof). Verify your contact information registered with NBEMS (National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences) to ensure you receive all official communications. If you have any doubts about your eligibility or category status, contact UP DGME or your medical college well before counselling registration opens. Being prepared will reduce stress and help you make confident decisions during the counselling process.
- Gather all required documents before counselling registration
- Verify your contact information with NBEMS
- Prepare your preference list in advance; do not wait until the last day
- Check UP DGME website regularly for counselling schedule announcements
- Clarify any doubts about eligibility or category status before registration
- Keep a backup copy of your preference list and submission confirmation
- Be aware of the reporting date and document verification schedule
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the total number of MD/MS and DNB seats available in UP NEET-PG 2026?
The UP NEET-PG 2026 seat matrix shows 3,961 MD/MS seats (comprising 1,095 government seats and 2,866 private seats) and 164 DNB seats across participating institutions in Uttar Pradesh. These seats are available for Round 1 of counselling.
How do I use the seat matrix to fill my counselling preferences?
First, obtain your NEET-PG rank and identify your category (general, SC, ST, OBC, EWS). Then, cross-reference the matrix with previous years' cutoff data to estimate which colleges and specialities are realistic for your rank. List your preferences in order of priority, starting with your most preferred options and including backup choices. Avoid leaving gaps in your preference list, and note that some specialities may have zero seats at certain colleges.
What is the difference between government and private seats in the matrix?
Government seats (1,095 total) are in government medical colleges and autonomous state medical colleges. They typically offer lower fees, a monthly stipend during training, and a mandatory bond period (service in government facilities after completion). Private seats (2,866 total) are in private medical colleges, involve higher tuition fees, and may have shorter or no bond periods. The choice depends on your financial situation and career preferences.
Are DNB seats different from MD/MS seats, and should I apply for both?
Yes, DNB (Diplomate of National Board) is a broad-speciality postgraduate qualification offered by hospitals and medical colleges affiliated with NBEMS, while MD/MS are university-affiliated degrees. Both are recognized nationally and are counselled under NEET-PG. You can apply for both MD/MS and DNB seats; the counselling process will allocate you to one based on your rank and preferences. DNB seats are fewer (164 total) and more geographically dispersed than MD/MS seats.
Which colleges in Uttar Pradesh offer the most MD/MS seats?
The largest contributors are King George's Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow (186 seats), Rohilkhand Medical College, Bareilly (166 seats), Subharti Medical College, Meerut (146 seats), School of Medical Sciences & Research, Sharda University (136 seats), and Rajshree Medical Research Institute and Shri Ram Murti Smarak Institute, both in Bareilly (133 seats each). These institutions are highly competitive and typically require higher ranks.
How do category-wise reservations affect my chances of admission?
If you belong to a reserved category (SC, ST, OBC, or EWS), you compete for reserved seats, which typically have lower cutoff ranks than general seats. The matrix shows the exact number of reserved seats available at each college. Verify your category status with the relevant authorities before counselling. If you are in the general category, you compete only for general seats unless you are eligible for EWS based on income criteria.
What should I do if my preferred speciality has very few seats available?
If your preferred speciality has few seats and your rank is not highly competitive, consider two strategies: (1) Apply for that speciality at less competitive colleges where your rank may be sufficient, or (2) Choose a less competitive speciality at a better-ranked college now, and pursue your preferred speciality later during super-speciality training (NEET-SS/DM/M.Ch). The seat matrix helps you make this decision by showing exactly how many seats are available in each speciality across all institutions.
When should I prepare my preference list, and what documents do I need for counselling?
Prepare your preference list well in advance—do not wait until the last day of the preference-filling window. Gather all required documents before counselling registration: NEET-PG admit card, rank letter, MBBS degree certificate, caste certificate (if applicable), EWS certificate (if applicable), and identity proof. Verify your contact information registered with NBEMS to ensure you receive official communications. Being prepared will help you make confident decisions during counselling.
The release of the UP NEET-PG 2026 seat matrix is a critical milestone for postgraduate medical aspirants in Uttar Pradesh. Study the matrix carefully, cross-reference it with your rank and previous years' cutoffs, and prepare a strategic preference list well before counselling registration opens. Your success in securing your desired speciality and college depends largely on how well you use this data to make informed choices.
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