NMC Updates MBBS Seat Matrix for 2026-27: 1,40,664 Seats Across 839 Medical Colleges

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has updated the MBBS seat matrix for the 2026-27 academic session, taking the total number of MBBS seats in India to 1,40,664 across 839 medical colleges, excluding Institutes of National Importance (INIs).

According to the latest update, 1,27,028 MBBS seats have been renewed, while 13,636 seats have been increased through approved intake enhancements and additions to the medical education system.

The latest revision is important for NEET UG 2026 candidates, as the approved seat intake forms the basis for counselling and admission across government and private medical colleges.

1.40 Lakh MBBS Seats Available

The updated figures indicate continued expansion of undergraduate medical education capacity in India.

The seat matrix covers colleges approved by the NMC's Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB). The matrix includes both renewed intake and approved increases in the number of MBBS seats.

Government and Private Medical Colleges

The updated seat distribution also shows a substantial contribution from private medical colleges.

The earlier NMC seat matrix showed 391 government medical colleges with 63,971 seats and 445 private colleges with 76,243 seats, before the latest revision in the number of colleges and seats.

The latest changes therefore need to be considered when analysing the final college-wise availability for NEET UG counselling.

Uttar Pradesh MBBS Seats

Uttar Pradesh continues to have one of the largest MBBS seat pools in the country.

In the updated September seat matrix, UP had 92 medical colleges and 14,400 MBBS seats, including 13,200 renewed seats and 1,200 increased seats.

This makes the revised NMC matrix particularly important for students participating in UP NEET UG 2026 counselling, as additional approved seats can affect college availability and choice-filling options.

Other States With Large MBBS Seat Pools

The latest available NMC data also shows significant MBBS capacity in several other states.

These figures are based on the updated NMC seat matrix and may be subject to further revision where approvals or appeals are pending.

Why the Updated Seat Matrix Matters for NEET UG 2026

The NMC seat matrix is important because counselling authorities use the approved intake while preparing their respective counselling and seat-allocation data.

For candidates, an increase in MBBS seats can affect:

However, students should rely on the latest official counselling seat matrix while filling choices because NMC has stated that its seat matrix can be revised based on decisions of the relevant appeal committees or other competent authorities.

NMC Warning on Admission Beyond Approved Seats

NMC has also made it clear that medical colleges cannot admit students beyond their approved MBBS intake for the academic year.

The Commission has directed institutions to ensure that admissions are made only against the number of seats approved by MARB. Admissions beyond the sanctioned intake can be treated as a violation of the National Medical Commission Act, 2019 and may attract regulatory action.

What NEET UG 2026 Candidates Should Check

With the NMC continuing to update the MBBS seat matrix, candidates should not rely solely on older college lists or previous-year seat numbers.

Before choice filling, students should check:

Conclusion

The latest NMC update takes India's 2026-27 MBBS seat capacity to 1,40,664 seats across 839 medical colleges, with 1,27,028 seats renewed and 13,636 seats increased.

For NEET UG 2026 aspirants, the revised figures provide a more updated picture of medical seat availability. However, candidates should use the latest NMC and counselling-authority seat matrix for actual choice filling and admission decisions, as the approved numbers can be revised following regulatory or appeal decisions.