The National Medical Commission (NMC) has released a revised MBBS seat matrix for the 2026‑27 academic year, following approvals and appeals that have altered the intake capacity of many medical colleges. The updated matrix incorporates permissions granted for new medical colleges and increased intakes at existing institutions, as decided by the NMC’s Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) and its appeal committees under the Union Health Ministry.
The latest matrix lists 1,40,214 MBBS seats across 836 colleges, with 63,971 seats in 391 government institutions and 76,243 seats in 445 private colleges. This represents an increase of 13,186 seats from the previous figure of 1,27,028, including 10,400 additional seats for private colleges and 2,786 for government institutions.
The NMC cautions that the matrix is not final and may be revised following further decisions by appeal committees or other authorities. It directs counselling committees to admit candidates only within the approved intake limits and to report any discrepancy between a college’s offered seats and the approved matrix to MARB. Colleges that have received permission to increase intake but have not yet provided the required electronic bank guarantee are given seven days to submit the guarantee; only after verification will the permission letter be issued.
The regulator stresses that admissions for 2026‑27 must be based solely on the seats notified in the latest matrix, and that institutions must verify their details and report any omissions before counselling begins. The NMC’s notice underscores the distinction between receiving approval for additional capacity and the actual issuance of a permission letter, warning that non‑compliance could lead to regulatory and penal action under the National Medical Commission Act, 2019.
