The National Medical Commission has approved 9,911 additional undergraduate program seats, raising the total MBBS capacity in the country to a record 136,939 seats for the 2026-27 academic session.
Total Seat Capacity and Demand
In addition to the new seats, the regulator also presented a seat matrix that includes 127,028 updated seats, distributed among new medical colleges and increased intake in existing institutions. This expansion comes as over 2.2 million candidates apply for the NEET-UG exam annually, and the demand for MBBS seats continues to significantly exceed the available number.
Reasons for Increasing Seats
M. K. Ramesh, Chairman of the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB), explained the sharp rise in the number of seats due to changes made to the Post-Bachelor's Medical Education Regulations after 2023. He informed TOI that previously, a medical college could only request an increase in seats after completing the first batch over four and a half or five years. However, according to the new 2023 rules, this restriction has been lifted, and colleges can now request an increase in intake starting from the second year of study, provided established norms are met.
Details of the Approved Matrix
The approved seat matrix, excluding Institutes of National Importance such as AIIMS and JIPMER, covers 823 medical colleges across the country, including 441 government and 382 private institutions. This matrix will serve as the basis for consultations this year. The NMC clarified that this matrix may be revised by the decision of the Appellate Committee or any other competent authority.
Prospects and Warnings
With the achievement of a record level of MBBS seats, an expansion of the medical workforce in India is expected. The center assesses the doctor-to-population ratio in the country at 1:811, which is below the generally accepted benchmark of one doctor per 1,000 people. Nevertheless, the NMC cautioned medical colleges against admitting students beyond the permitted intake, warning that any violation will result in regulatory and penalty measures in accordance with the NMC Act 2019. Colleges have been instructed to verify their approved seat matrix before the start of consultations and report any discrepancies to the MARB.
Distribution of New Seats
Of the 9,911 additional MBBS seats, 2,400 are located in 25 newly established medical colleges (seven government and 18 private), while the remaining 7,511 seats come from increasing the intake in existing colleges. Private institutions accounted for approximately 79% of the total additional seats approved this year.
