The National Medical Commission (NMC) has released an updated MBBS seat matrix for the academic year 2026–27, showing a significant rise in undergraduate medical intake across the country. As per the latest matrix, India now has 1,40,214 MBBS seats available across 836 medical colleges covered under the NMC’s state-wise listing.

The updated data is based on the status as on September 1, 2026, and was issued through a public notice dated September 9, 2026. NMC’s matrix indicates that 1,27,028 seats have been renewed, while 13,186 seats have been added (increase in intake), taking the overall count beyond the 1.4 lakh mark.

However, the NMC has also clarified through reporting and accompanying notes that this matrix does not include seats from Institutes of National Importance (INIs). As a result, candidates should not treat this figure as the final, all-inclusive national medical seat capacity for NEET UG 2026 admissions. Instead, it represents the seat position reflected in NMC’s state-wise MBBS seat matrix for 2026–27.

Private sector drives most of the expansion

A key takeaway from the NMC numbers is that the bulk of new seats have come from the private sector. Of the 13,186 additional seats, 10,400 seats (around 79%) have been added in private medical colleges, while 2,786 seats (around 21%) have been added in government colleges.

In terms of total availability:

  • Government colleges: 63,971 seats (391 colleges)
  • Private colleges: 76,243 seats (445 colleges)

This split matters for aspirants because a higher share of expansion in private colleges can affect affordability and decision-making during counselling. Candidates will need to evaluate fee structures, category rules, domicile eligibility, and quota distribution carefully while filling choices.

State-wise highlights: Karnataka tops additions

Among the states highlighted in the published data, Karnataka has recorded the largest increase, added 1,650 seats and reached a total of 15,745 MBBS seats across 76 colleges. Other major increases include Bihar (+1,240; total 4,660), Uttar Pradesh (+1,200; total 14,400), Rajasthan (+1,100; total 8,280) and West Bengal (+975; total 7,350). 

Delhi, on the other hand, shows no increase in this update and remains at 1,415 seats across 10 medical colleges.

In some published tables, Chhattisgarh appears in two separate rows (“Chhattisgarh” and “Chhattisgarh”). When combined, the total comes to 3,025 seats, with an indicated increase of 645 seats—a formatting issue that publishers and candidates should note while reading reproduced tables.

What it means for NEET UG counselling

The NMC, through MARB (Medical Assessment and Rating Board), has directed that admissions must be conducted strictly as per the approved seat matrix, and no counselling authority or college can admit students beyond sanctioned intake. The notice also flags compliance requirements for some private institutions—such as submission of E-Bank Guarantee—after which final approvals/permissions may be reflected.

For NEET UG 2026 aspirants, the seat increase expands options, but it may not automatically translate into a steep fall in cut-offs. Final outcomes will depend on candidate numbers, rank distribution, reservation, domicile rules, and the government-private seat ratio in each state. Candidates are advised to cross-check NMC data with the final seat matrix released by MCC and state counselling authorities.