NEET PG counselling: NMC adds 5,827 seats, total intake crosses 50,000

The National Medical Commission, NMC, has released the institute and course-wise seat matrix for postgraduate medical admissions for the academic year 2026-27. The latest data shows a significant rise in the number of MD, MS and diploma seats available for NEET PG counselling this year.

The total number of postgraduate medical seats has increased to around 58,000, compared with 52,173 seats last year. This marks an increase of approximately 5,827 seats, or 11 percent, resulting in a larger pool of seats for candidates seeking admission to postgraduate medical programmes.

Meanwhile, the NEET PG Counselling 2026 dates are expected to be announced soon. The NEET PG 2026 result was declared on September 24, following the main examination on August 30 and the re-test on September 5.

The answer key is expected to be released on or after October 1. Candidates should regularly check the official websites for updates on counselling, registration, choice filling and seat allotment.

As per the NEET PG seat matrix, postgraduate seats in private and deemed medical universities have increased by around 32 percent compared with the previous academic year.

Meanwhile, the number of PG seats in government medical colleges has increased by around 10 percent. The rise in approved seats expands the number of options available to NEET PG candidates during the counselling process.

The NMC has clarified that the newly released seat matrix is not necessarily final. In its official notice, the Commission said the matrix may be revised, if required, based on decisions of the Appeal Committee or any other competent authority.

The current matrix also does not include seats related to applications seeking an increase in intake in existing PG courses or proposals for starting new postgraduate courses for the 2026-27 academic session.

If additional seats or new courses are approved subsequently, these will be incorporated into an updated seat matrix and published on the NMC's official website.COLLEGES DIRECTED TO FOLLOW APPROVED SEAT MATRIX

The NMC has directed all medical colleges and institutions to ensure that admissions are conducted only against the number of seats approved by the Commission.

The seat matrix contains details of participating medical colleges and institutions, along with the postgraduate courses offered and their approved annual intake for the 2026-27 academic session.

The Commission has also instructed counselling committees to immediately refer any discrepancy or deviation noticed in the notified seat matrix to the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) for clarification.MORE PG SEATS ACROSS KEY MEDICAL SPECIALITIES

The increase in seats has been recorded across several postgraduate medical branches. Specialities such as anaesthesia, ophthalmology, ENT, pathology, psychiatry and respiratory medicine have witnessed an overall rise in approved seats.

The increase could provide candidates with a wider range of course and institution choices during NEET PG counselling, subject to applicable eligibility criteria, category-wise reservations and counselling rules.NEET PG COUNSELLING 2026: WHAT CANDIDATES SHOULD KNOW

Candidates should carefully check the latest institute and course-wise seat matrix before making their choices during counselling. Since the NMC has stated that the matrix may be updated, candidates should also keep track of subsequent notifications and revised seat matrices.

Medical colleges, institutions and counselling authorities have been directed to strictly comply with the approved seat intake and all applicable NMC and MARB regulations.

With around 58,000 postgraduate medical seats listed for 2026-27, NEET PG aspirants will have a larger pool of seats to consider than last year. However, as the NMC has clarified that the seat matrix may be revised, candidates should check the latest official updates before making their counselling choices. The NEET PG counselling schedule is still awaited.- EndsREAD | NEET PG 2026 cut-off lowest in 6 years: Experts explain the big dropREAD | NEET PG 2026 candidates allege score discrepancies, AIMSA writes to health minister