Ahead of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET UG) 2026 results, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has released the approved seat matrix for Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) admissions, giving lakhs of aspirants a clearer picture of the seats that will be available during counselling.The seat matrix, issued by the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) on July 14, covers all undergraduate MBBS seats except those offered by Institutes of National Importance (INIs). It has been forwarded to all medical colleges as well as the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), which conducts All India Quota counselling.This year’s matrix shows that 1,36,939 MBBS seats will be available across 823 medical colleges. Of these, 1,27,028 are renewed seats from existing intake capacity, while 9,911 are newly approved seats, reflecting the continued expansion of undergraduate medical education.
New medical colleges account for 2,400 seats
The increase includes 2,400 MBBS seats in 25 newly established medical colleges.According to the Commission, seven new government medical colleges account for 400 seats, while 18 new private medical colleges contribute 2,000 seats.The remaining increase comes from approved expansion of intake capacity in existing medical colleges.
Private colleges account for more seats
Although government medical colleges continue to outnumber private institutions, private colleges account for a larger share of MBBS seats this year.Government medical colleges comprise 441 institutions with 63,296 seats, including 61,185 renewed seats and 2,111 newly approved seats.Private medical colleges account for 382 institutions with 73,643 seats, of which 65,843 are renewed seats and 7,800 are newly approved.The figures indicate that a significant share of this year’s capacity expansion has come from the private sector.
Karnataka leads in MBBS seats
Among states, Karnataka continues to have the highest number of approved MBBS seats, with 15,395 seats across 75 medical colleges.Uttar Pradesh has 88 medical colleges, the highest in the country by number of institutions, offering 14,000 seats. Tamil Nadu has 78 colleges with 13,999 seats, while Maharashtra has 86 colleges offering 13,099 seats. Telangana has 66 medical colleges with 10,250 seats.The state-wise distribution is expected to shape counselling choices once NEET UG results are declared.
MARB sets seven-day deadline for bank guarantee
Along with the seat matrix, the Medical Assessment and Rating Board has directed all private medical colleges that have received approval for a new MBBS college or an increase in intake capacity to submit the required Electronic Bank Guarantee within seven days of the public notice.The guarantee must be furnished to the Director, MARB. Details are to be shared through the email addresses specified in the notice. The Board has made it clear that the Letter of Permission will be issued only after the Electronic Bank Guarantee is received and found to be in order.
Seat matrix may still change
The Commission has clarified that the approved seat matrix is not final and may be revised if required following decisions of the Appeal Committee or any other competent authority.Any revised seat matrix will be uploaded on the National Medical Commission website and will be considered by the Medical Counselling Committee and state counselling authorities during the admission process.The notice also places responsibility on counselling authorities to follow the approved intake strictly. If any discrepancy is noticed in the notified seat matrix, it must be referred to the Medical Assessment and Rating Board for clarification.The Commission has directed that under no circumstances should counselling committees allow admissions beyond the number of seats approved and notified by MARB, making the published seat matrix the basis for MBBS admissions in the 2026-27 academic session.
