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NEET PG 2026: NMC Releases Updated Seat Matrix, Confirms 68,305 PG Medical Seats Across India; Issues Directions to Medical Colleges and Counselling Authorities

Updated on Nov 7, 2026
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Praful Bhatnagar
College Admin | Updated on Nov 7, 2026

NEET PG 2026: NMC Releases Updated Seat Matrix, Confirms 68,305 PG Medical Seats Across India; Issues Directions to Medical Colleges and Counselling Authorities: The National Medical Commission (NMC) has released an updated postgraduate medical seat matrix for India, reporting a total of 68,305 PG medical seats across the country. The updated figures are an important development for candidates participating in NEET PG 2026 counselling, as well as medical colleges, admission authorities and other stakeholders involved in postgraduate medical admissions.

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The revised seat position provides an updated picture of postgraduate medical education capacity in India and is expected to play an important role in the ongoing counselling and admission process. Alongside the updated seat matrix, the NMC has also issued directions to medical colleges and counselling authorities, emphasising the need for accurate seat-related information and proper coordination during admissions.

NMC NEET PG Seat Matrix 2026: State-Wise Distribution of 68,305 Seats

The updated seat matrix represents a significant expansion in the availability of postgraduate medical education opportunities in India. It incorporates additional seats approved by MARB following applications submitted by medical colleges for increasing the intake capacity of existing PG courses and introducing new postgraduate courses.

The revised matrix, dated November 6, 2026, supersedes the earlier seat position to the extent of the changes notified by the commission.

Previous and Updated NEET PG Seat Matrix

In its earlier notification dated September 29, 2026, the NMC had published a PG medical seat matrix showing 63,177 seats for the academic year 2026–27. However, that notification had clarified that the figures did not include additional seats relating to applications for increased intake in existing courses or the introduction of new PG courses.

Following the processing and approval of additional applications, the commission has now published the updated matrix showing 68,305 PG Broad Speciality seats.

The revised notification provides the approved annual intake capacity of medical colleges and institutions across the country, including the additional seats granted for the academic session 2026–27.

State-Wise Distribution of NEET PG 2026 Seats

The updated seat matrix highlights considerable differences in postgraduate medical seat availability across Indian states and Union Territories.

Karnataka has emerged as the state with the highest number of PG medical seats, followed by Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. Tamil Nadu occupies the fourth position, reflecting its substantial postgraduate medical education infrastructure.

The state-wise distribution of 68,305 PG medical seats is as follows:

State/Union Territory PG Medical Seats

Karnataka

8,817

Maharashtra

7,305

Uttar Pradesh

6,829

Tamil Nadu

6,775

Telangana

4,310

Andhra Pradesh

4,241

Gujarat

4,039

Rajasthan

3,950

Madhya Pradesh

3,259

Odisha

3,101

Kerala

2,290

West Bengal

2,254

Bihar

1,671

Delhi

1,276

Haryana

1,117

Puducherry

1,046

Punjab

964

Jammu and Kashmir

860

Chhattisgarh

827

Assam

771

Uttarakhand

725

Himachal Pradesh

593

Jharkhand

344

Manipur

281

Tripura

177

Chandigarh

177

Goa

140

Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu

46

Meghalaya

35

Sikkim

32

Arunachal Pradesh

23

Andaman and Nicobar Islands

20

Mizoram

10

Total

68,305

Karnataka leads the country with 8,817 seats, accounting for the largest share of the total postgraduate medical intake. Maharashtra has 7,305 seats, while Uttar Pradesh has 6,829 seats.

Tamil Nadu, with 6,775 seats, also has a significant share of the national PG medical intake. Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have 4,310 and 4,241 seats, respectively.

At the other end of the distribution, Mizoram has the lowest number of seats, with 10, followed by Andaman and Nicobar Islands with 20 and Arunachal Pradesh with 23.

The distribution demonstrates the varying levels of postgraduate medical education infrastructure across different regions of the country.

Government, Private and Deemed Medical College Seats

The updated seat distribution also highlights the contribution of government, private and deemed medical institutions towards postgraduate medical education in India.

The institutional-category-wise distribution is as follows:

Institution Category Number of Seats

Government Medical Institutions

34,473

Private Medical Institutions

24,732

Deemed Universities

9,100

Total

68,305

Government medical institutions account for approximately 50.5% of the total seats, while private institutions contribute around 36.2%. Deemed universities account for the remaining 13.3%.

The distribution indicates that government medical colleges continue to provide the largest share of postgraduate medical education opportunities in the country.

Speciality-Wise NEET PG 2026 Seat Matrix

The updated NMC seat matrix covers several MD, MS, Diploma and six-year MCh programmes.

Among the major postgraduate specialities, MD General Medicine has the highest number of seats, followed by MS General Surgery, MD Anaesthesiology, MS Obstetrics and Gynaecology and MD Paediatrics.

The speciality-wise distribution of major PG courses is given below:

PG Speciality Number of Seats

MD General Medicine

6,983

MS General Surgery

6,349

MD Anaesthesiology

6,419

MS Obstetrics and Gynaecology

5,466

MD Paediatrics

4,893

MS Orthopaedics

4,366

MD Pathology

3,942

MD Radio-Diagnosis/Radiology

3,768

MS Ophthalmology

2,848

MD Community Medicine

2,518

MS Otorhinolaryngology/ENT

2,421

MD Dermatology

2,279

MD Microbiology

2,099

MD Psychiatry

1,887

MD Pharmacology

1,801

MD Physiology

1,676

MD Anatomy

1,665

MD Biochemistry

1,608

MD Respiratory Medicine

1,527

MD Forensic Medicine

1,034

MD Emergency Medicine

855

MD Radiation Oncology

643

Note: The table highlights selected major specialities. The complete NMC matrix also includes additional diploma courses and other MD/MS programmes.

The figures show that General Medicine, General Surgery, Anaesthesiology, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and Paediatrics account for a substantial proportion of postgraduate medical training opportunities.

The updated matrix also includes seats in specialised disciplines such as Nuclear Medicine, Geriatrics, Palliative Medicine, Sports Medicine, Tropical Medicine, Family Medicine, Aerospace Medicine and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

NMC Directs Medical Colleges to Submit Electronic Bank Guarantees Within Seven Days

Along with publishing the updated seat matrix, the Medical Assessment and Rating Board has issued important directions to medical colleges and institutions that have received approval for starting new PG courses or increasing the annual intake capacity of existing courses.

The commission has directed the concerned institutions to submit the required Electronic Bank Guarantee (e-BG) within seven days from November 6, 2026.

The electronic bank guarantee must be furnished in favour of the Director, Medical Assessment and Rating Board, National Medical Commission.

Medical colleges are required to submit the details in the prescribed format provided along with the public notice and communicate the information through the designated email channel.

The submission and verification of the required e-BG are essential for the issuance of the relevant Letters of Permission-cum-Disapproval (LoP-cum-LoD) for newly approved postgraduate courses and increased intake capacity.

The MARB has clarified that the permission-related documents will be issued only after receiving and verifying the required electronic bank guarantee and confirming that it meets the prescribed requirements.

This direction is intended to ensure compliance with the regulatory conditions attached to the approval of additional postgraduate medical seats.

Important Instructions for NEET PG Counselling Authorities

The updated seat matrix is particularly important for central and state-level NEET PG counselling authorities, as it provides the latest approved seat position for the 2026–27 academic session.

The NMC has directed all central counselling authorities and respective State and Union Territory counselling authorities to consider the latest notified PG seat matrix while conducting counselling and admissions.

The major instructions include:

  • Counselling authorities must use the latest seat matrix published by the NMC for postgraduate medical admissions.

  • Only seats approved and notified by MARB can be considered for counselling and admission.

  • If any discrepancy or deviation is identified in the approved seat matrix, the matter must be referred to MARB for clarification.

  • No counselling authority is permitted to allow admissions beyond the number of seats approved and notified by MARB.

  • Subsequent revisions issued by the competent authority must be taken into account during the counselling process.

These instructions are intended to ensure that seat allocation and admission procedures are conducted strictly in accordance with the approved annual intake capacity of medical institutions.

Medical Colleges Asked to Verify Their Seat Matrix Details

The NMC has also instructed all medical colleges and institutions to carefully examine their respective details in the updated seat matrix.

Institutions must verify the approved courses and corresponding annual intake capacities reflected in the notification.

In case of any discrepancy, incorrect information or omission, the concerned medical college must immediately bring the matter to the notice of the President or Director of MARB through the designated email channel.

The commission has emphasised that institutions must ensure that their admission activities are aligned with the latest approved seat matrix.

This verification exercise is important because discrepancies in the number of seats, course approvals or annual intake capacity can affect counselling and admission procedures.

NMC Warns Against Admissions Beyond Approved Seat Intake

In a significant regulatory direction, MARB has strictly warned medical colleges and institutions against admitting students beyond their approved annual intake capacity.

According to the commission, no medical college or institution can admit a candidate against a postgraduate medical seat that has not been approved by MARB and reflected in the latest notified seat matrix.

Any admission made beyond the approved annual intake capacity, or any violation of the applicable statutory provisions, regulations or directions issued by the NMC/MARB, will be treated as a regulatory violation.

Such violations may attract appropriate action against the defaulting medical college or institution under the provisions of the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, and the relevant regulations.

The warning reinforces the commission's position that additional seats can be offered to candidates only after the necessary regulatory approvals have been granted.

Updated Seat Matrix May Be Revised Again

The NMC has clarified that the updated seat matrix published on November 6, 2026, is subject to further revision wherever necessary.

Any subsequent decision taken by MARB, the competent Appeal Authority or another competent authority may lead to changes in the approved seat position.

If further revisions are made, the updated matrix will be published on the official NMC website and will supersede the earlier version to the extent of the changes.

The commission has also clarified that additional seats in PG Super Speciality courses, relating to applications for increased intake or commencement of new courses for the academic year 2026–27, will be communicated through a subsequent update of the PG seat matrix.

Therefore, candidates should distinguish between the currently notified PG Broad Speciality seat matrix and any future updates relating to Super Speciality courses.

What Does the Updated NMC Seat Matrix Mean for NEET PG 2026 Aspirants?

The announcement of 68,305 approved PG Broad Speciality seats is an important development for medical graduates seeking admission through NEET PG 2026 counselling.

The updated matrix incorporates additional approved seats and provides candidates with a more recent picture of postgraduate medical admission opportunities across the country.

Candidates should consider the following points while participating in counselling:

1. Check the Latest Seat Matrix: Candidates should refer to the most recent seat matrix rather than relying on older seat lists or unofficial figures.

2. Review State-Wise Availability: The number of seats varies considerably across states. Candidates should examine the availability of seats in their preferred states and institutions.

3. Compare Specialities Carefully: Aspirants should check the number of seats available in their preferred MD, MS or Diploma specialities before preparing their choice preferences.

4. Verify College Approvals: Candidates should ensure that the medical college and the particular PG course have the necessary regulatory approval and that the advertised intake is reflected in the latest notified matrix.

5. Follow Official Counselling Updates: Candidates must regularly check the MCC and respective state counselling websites for revised schedules, seat matrices, choice-filling notifications and allotment results.

It is important to remember that the total number of approved seats does not mean that all seats are available under the All India Quota. Seat availability for individual candidates will depend on the applicable quota, reservation provisions, institutional category, eligibility requirements and counselling rules.

NEET PG 2026 Counselling: Candidates Must Follow MCC and State Notifications

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) conducts counselling for the 50% All India Quota postgraduate medical seats, along with the other categories assigned to it under the applicable counselling framework.

The remaining state quota seats are filled through the respective state and Union Territory counselling authorities, in accordance with the applicable admission rules.

The updated NMC seat matrix will serve as an important regulatory reference for these counselling processes.

Candidates should note that the publication of the updated seat matrix does not automatically mean that every newly approved seat will immediately appear as an available option in the counselling portal. The relevant counselling authority must incorporate and verify the approved seats, apply the applicable reservation roster and publish the corresponding counselling seat matrix.

Accordingly, aspirants should rely on the final seat matrix displayed by the relevant counselling authority while filling their choices.

Where to Check the Updated NEET PG 2026 Seat Matrix?

Candidates, medical colleges and other stakeholders can access the latest postgraduate Broad Speciality seat matrix through the official website of the National Medical Commission.

The important websites are:

Candidates are advised to check the latest official notifications regularly for changes in seat availability, counselling schedules and admission-related instructions.

Conclusion

The release of the updated NEET PG 2026 seat matrix by the National Medical Commission marks an important development in postgraduate medical admissions for the academic year 2026–27.

With 68,305 approved PG Broad Speciality seats across India, the revised matrix incorporates additional seats granted for new courses and increased intake capacity in existing medical institutions.

Karnataka leads the state-wise distribution with 8,817 seats, followed by Maharashtra with 7,305, Uttar Pradesh with 6,829 and Tamil Nadu with 6,775 seats.

Alongside the revised seat position, the NMC has issued clear directions regarding electronic bank guarantees, verification of approved intake, counselling procedures and strict compliance with regulatory requirements.

For NEET PG 2026 aspirants, the updated matrix provides an important reference for understanding the availability of postgraduate medical seats across different states, institutions and specialities. Candidates should carefully review the latest notified seat matrix and follow official MCC and state counselling announcements to avoid missing important admission-related updates.


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