NEET PG Counselling 2026: NMC Releases Seat Matrix, 58,000 MD, MS and Diploma Seats Available

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has released the seat matrix for postgraduate (PG) medical admissions for the academic year 2026-27. The total number of MD, MS and diploma seats has risen to about 58,000, an increase of 11 per cent over last year's 52,173 seats. In absolute terms, that is 5,827 additional seats.

According to the seat matrix, seats in private and deemed universities have increased by 32 per cent, while seats in government medical colleges have risen by 10 per cent. The document lists medical colleges and institutions, along with the PG courses and the annual intake capacity approved for participation in counselling this year.

Several individual branches have also recorded an overall increase in seats for 2026-27. These include anaesthesia, ophthalmology, ENT (ear, nose and throat), pathology, psychiatry and respiratory medicine.

The Commission said in its official notice that the seat matrix shall remain subject to revision, if required, based on decisions of the Appeal Committee or any other competent authority. It also clarified that the current matrix does not include seats related to applications received for an increase in intake in existing PG courses, or for the commencement of new PG courses, for the academic year 2026-27.

Any additional PG seats or courses approved subsequently will be incorporated into an updated seat matrix and published on the NMC's official website, the notice stated.

All medical colleges have been directed to ensure that admissions are made only against the approved number of seats. The NMC further said that if any counselling committee notices a discrepancy or deviation in the latest notified seat matrix, the matter shall immediately be referred to the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) for clarification.

Medical colleges, institutions and counselling committees have been asked to ensure strict compliance with the approved seat matrix and with all applicable directions, regulations and conditions stipulated by the NMC and MARB.

What the seat matrix does

The seat matrix is the reference document that sets out how many seats are available in each college and course before counselling begins. It is the basis on which counselling authorities allot seats, and colleges are expected to admit students only within the approved intake. Candidates can use it to judge where seats are available before filling in their choices.

PG medical seats in India are filled through counselling conducted centrally for All India Quota seats and by state authorities for state quota seats, on the basis of NEET-PG scores. Because the matrix can be revised during the admission cycle, candidates are advised to rely on notifications issued by the NMC and the relevant counselling authorities rather than on unverified lists.

An increase in the total number of approved seats enlarges the pool available in each counselling round. The NMC's notice did not state the reasons for this year's increase, and the Commission has not issued any further explanation so far.

Candidates preparing for the 2026-27 admission cycle should check the NMC website periodically for updates, since the Commission has said an amended seat matrix will be published if more seats or courses are approved later.