The NMC revises the MBBS seat matrix based on ongoing approvals and appeals
File image used for representational purposes. | Photo credit: K. MURALI KUMAR
The National Medical Commission (NMC) has revised the MBBS seat matrix for the academic year 2026-27 while warning medical colleges and advisory bodies against admitting students beyond the intake limit formally approved by the regulator.
In a public notice issued earlier this month, the NMC said the updated matrix includes permissions granted for setting up new medical colleges and increasing the annual income of existing faculties based on the decisions of its Medical Assessment and Evaluation Board (MARB), its First Appellate Board and the Second Appellate Board under the Union Health Ministry.
Not final
The regulator also made it clear that the latest matrix is not necessarily final. It said the seat matrix would remain subject to revision based on subsequent decisions by appeal boards or other relevant authorities, with any changes uploaded on the NMC website and taken into account by central and state advisory boards.
The latest matrix lists 1,40,214 MBBS seats in 836 medical colleges, including 63,971 seats in 391 government colleges and 76,243 seats in 445 private colleges. This follows from an earlier matrix showing 1,27,028 recovered seats. The latest update includes 13,186 more seats, of which 10,400 are in private medical colleges and 2,786 in government institutions.
The NMC’s latest warning comes against a backdrop of continued approvals, appeals and changes to approved income. Specifically, he directed the Advisory Boards not to allow the admission of posts beyond those approved and notified by the MARB.
“Under no circumstances” should any medical college or institution admit students beyond its approved annual intake, the regulator said, warning that such admission would constitute non-compliance with the National Medical Commission Act, 2019 and the regulations thereunder and could attract regulatory and penal action.
Report any discrepancy
The NMC has also asked the advisory boards to refer any discrepancy between the seats offered by the college and the seats mentioned in the approved matrix to the MARB for clarification.
The notification has an additional caveat for private medical colleges which have received permission either to set up a new MBBS college or to increase their annual income but have not yet provided the required electronic bank guarantee.
These colleges were given seven days to submit a guarantee in favor of the MARB director. The permit will only be issued after the guarantee has been received, verified and found to be in order.
The regulatory clarification is gaining in importance as medical schools continue to obtain permits and seek to raise income through the review and appeals process. It also places an onus on the counseling bodies to ensure that the number of seats offered to NEET-UG candidates is exactly as per the latest sanctioned capacity.
The revised matrix also means that students and advising bodies will have to monitor subsequent changes rather than relying on earlier versions of the seat matrix.
The NMC has directed all medical colleges to verify their institutional details in the latest matrix and report any discrepancies or omissions to the MARB immediately, preferably before counseling commences.
The regulator’s repeated emphasis on approved income also highlights the fundamental difference between a college applying for or receiving approval for additional capacity and actually issuing a permit. Until the prescribed regulatory requirements are met, including any bank guarantee, further places cannot be considered available for admission.
The NMC has asked colleges to ensure that admissions for 2026-27 are conducted only on the basis of seats announced in the latest matrix, “as amended from time to time”.
Published – 12 Sep 2026 18:47 IST