Ahead of the National Eligibility for Entrance Test (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 thousands of aspirants a clearer picture of the seats that will be available during counseling.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 (INI). It has been sent to all medical colleges as well as the Medical Advisory Committee (MCC) of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), which conducts the all-India quota advisory.This year’s matric shows that 1,36,939 MBBS seats will be available in 823 medical colleges. Of these, 1,27,028 are renewed seats from the existing intake capacity, while 9,911 are newly approved seats, reflecting the continued expansion of undergraduate medical education.
The new medical schools have 2,400 places
The increase includes 2,400 MBBS seats in 25 newly established medical colleges.According to the Commission, seven new government medical schools account for 400 seats, while 18 new private medical colleges contribute 2,000 seats.The remaining increase comes from the approved expansion of admission capacity at existing medical schools.
Private universities have more places
While government medical colleges continue to outnumber private institutions, private colleges account for a larger proportion 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 have 382 institutions with 73,643 places, of which 65,843 are renewed places and 7,800 newly approved.The figures indicate that a significant part of this year’s capacity expansion is coming from the private sector.
Karnataka leads in MBBS seats
Among the states, Karnataka continues to have the highest number of approved MBBS seats with 15,395 seats in 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 distribution is expected to shape the counseling options once the NEET UG results are declared.
The MARB establishes a period of seven days for the bank guarantee
Along with the seat matrix, the Medical Evaluation and Assessment Board has directed all private medical colleges that have received approval for a new MBBS college or an increase in admission capacity to submit the requisite e-Bank Guarantee within seven days of the public notice.The guarantee must be delivered to the Director, MARB. Details should be shared through the email addresses specified in the notice. The Board has made it clear that the Letter of Authorization will only be issued after the Electronic Bank Guarantee has been received and found to be in order.
The seating array is still subject to change
The Commission has clarified that the approved seat matrix is not final and that it can be revised if required after decisions of the Appeals 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 Advisory Committee and State Advisory Authorities during the admission process.The notice also places the onus on the advisory authorities to strictly follow the approved intake. If any discrepancy is noticed in the notified seat matrix, it should be referred to the Medical Evaluation and Assessment Board for clarification.The Commission has directed that the advisory committees in no case allow admissions beyond the number of seats approved and notified by the MARB, making the published seat matrix the basis for MBBS admissions in the academic session 2026-27.