Revised seat matrix takes total approved MBBS intake to 1,40,664 across 839 medical colleges; Karnataka records the largest addition
New Delhi | September 24, 2026 (SDNA)
The number of MBBS seats available for the 2026-27 academic session has crossed the 1.40 lakh mark after another revision by the National Medical Commission (NMC). The updated seat matrix now lists 1,40,664 approved MBBS seats across 839 medical colleges, excluding seats under Institutions of National Importance (INIs).
The revision comes at an important stage of the NEET UG 2026 counselling process, giving candidates an updated picture of the seats available for medical admissions.
According to the latest figures issued by the NMC’s Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB), 13,636 MBBS seats have been added across government and private medical institutions.
Government and Private Colleges: Seat Distribution
Of the total 1,40,664 seats, government medical colleges account for 64,121 seats, while private medical colleges have 76,543 seats.
| Category | MBBS Seats |
|---|---|
| Government Medical Colleges | 64,121 |
| Private Medical Colleges | 76,543 |
| Total | 1,40,664 |
The latest revision follows a series of changes made to the MBBS seat matrix during the year. The total intake stood at 1,36,939 seats in July, rose to 1,40,214 in September and has now reached 1,40,664.
Number of Medical Colleges Also Rises
The expansion is not limited to seats. The number of medical colleges covered by the latest matrix has increased from 836 to 839.
The current list comprises 447 government and 392 private medical colleges. The recently added 41 colleges together account for 3,850 MBBS seats. Of these, 13 are government institutions offering 850 seats, while 28 private colleges account for 3,000 seats.
Karnataka Adds the Highest Number of Seats
The latest revision has resulted in varying increases across states. Karnataka has received the largest addition, with 1,650 new MBBS seats, followed by Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Telangana.
| State | New MBBS Seats | Total MBBS Seats |
|---|---|---|
| Karnataka | 1,650 | 15,745 |
| Tamil Nadu | 1,250 | 14,299 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 1,200 | 14,400 |
| Rajasthan | 1,100 | 8,280 |
| Telangana | 1,060 | 10,500 |
The revised figures could be significant for candidates considering colleges in these states during the ongoing counselling process.
Why the Revised Matrix Matters for NEET Candidates
The third round of NEET UG 2026 counselling is currently underway. As per the schedule mentioned in the counselling process, registration is open until September 27, while choice locking is scheduled for September 28.
With the seat matrix being revised, candidates should check the latest approved intake before finalising their college and course preferences. Changes in the number of recognised seats can directly affect the options displayed during counselling.
NMC Warns Colleges Against Over-Admissions
Alongside the revised matrix, the NMC has reiterated that medical colleges must restrict admissions to their officially approved intake.
Institutions cannot admit students beyond the number of MBBS seats authorised by the regulator. Colleges found exceeding their approved capacity may face action under the applicable rules.
The NMC has also advised medical institutions to carefully verify the revised seat information and report any discrepancy or error to the Medical Assessment and Rating Board.
Further Changes Cannot Be Ruled Out
The latest seat matrix may not necessarily be the final version for the session. The NMC has indicated that further changes could be made depending on decisions by relevant appellate committees or other competent authorities.
For NEET UG 2026 candidates, the key takeaway is to rely on the latest official NMC and counselling authority seat matrix before locking choices, particularly when selecting newly added or recently revised medical colleges.
(SDNA)