The National Medical Commission has added 13,186 MBBS seats for 2026-27. The total is now 1,40,214 seats across 836 medical colleges. Karnataka gained the most, 1,650 new seats. It now has 15,745 MBBS seats, the highest of any state.
Most of the new seats are private. Government colleges got 2,786 of them. Private colleges got 10,400. A NEET UG 2026 aspirant should read that carefully. More seats does not always mean cheaper seats.
In 30 Seconds
What changed: NMC added 13,186 MBBS seats, taking the 2026-27 total to 1,40,214.
Who gained most: Karnataka, up 1,650 seats to 15,745, the highest of any state.
The catch: 10,400 of the new seats are private; only 2,786 are government.
What to do: Round 2 counselling runs to September 19, 2026 at mcc.nic.in.
The NMC is the body that regulates medical education in India. It released the revised seat matrix on nmc.org.in. The figure of 1,40,214 was cited for September 1, 2026. The matrix leaves out AIIMS and JIPMER seats.
How many MBBS seats are there for NEET UG 2026?
There are 1,40,214 MBBS seats for 2026-27. These sit across 836 medical colleges. The count went up by 13,186 from last year. It excludes AIIMS and JIPMER, which admit through NEET UG separately.
Which state has the most MBBS seats?
Karnataka has the most, with 15,745 seats. It added 1,650 seats this year, the biggest single jump. Uttar Pradesh follows with 14,400 seats. Tamil Nadu has 14,299 and Maharashtra has 13,249.
| State | Total MBBS seats | New seats added |
|---|---|---|
| Karnataka | 15,745 | 1,650 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 14,400 | 1,200 |
| Tamil Nadu | 14,299 | 1,250 |
| Maharashtra | 13,249 | Not listed |
How many seats are government and how many are private?
Government colleges hold 2,786 of the newly added seats. Private colleges hold 10,400. So private colleges took nearly four in five new seats. Government seats cost far less than private ones.
How many new medical colleges opened?
The 2026-27 matrix lists 38 new medical colleges. The college count rose from 823 to 836 in the latest revision. That revision alone added 3,275 seats. The rest of the 13,186 came from existing colleges taking more students.
Is Rs 5 to 10 Lakh enough for an MBBS seat in a private college?
Usually not, in most private colleges. Private MBBS fees often run past Rs 10 Lakh a year. A government seat can cost under Rs 1 Lakh a year. This is why the government-private split matters more than the headline count.
What should a NEET UG 2026 candidate do next?
Round 2 counselling runs from September 3 to September 19, 2026. Candidates register and fill choices at mcc.nic.in. The seat matrix can change again before allotment. Check the state quota list too, not only the All India Quota.
Why the private-seat share matters more than the total
A bigger total reads like good news for every NEET UG 2026 candidate. The split tells a narrower story. Nearly four in five new seats sit in private colleges, where fees are high. For a student who needs a government seat, the count that grew is not the count that helps.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many MBBS seats are available for NEET UG 2026 counselling?
The NMC seat matrix for 2026-27 lists 1,40,214 MBBS seats across 836 medical colleges. This is 13,186 more than last year. The figure excludes AIIMS and JIPMER, which run their own NEET UG admissions.
Which state got the most new MBBS seats in 2026?
Karnataka got the most new MBBS seats, with 1,650 added for 2026-27. That takes Karnataka to 15,745 seats, the highest of any state. Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra follow.
Are the new MBBS seats government or private?
Most of the new MBBS seats are private. Of the 13,186 added, private colleges hold 10,400 and government colleges hold 2,786. Private fees are far higher, so a bigger total does not mean cheaper admission.
Last verified: September 12, 2026
Disclaimer: Dates, fees, cutoffs and eligibility can change without notice. Check with the National Medical Commission before you act.
