NMC revises MBBS seat matrix amid continuing approvals and appeals

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File image used for representational purpose. | Photo Credit: K. MURALI KUMAR

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has revised the MBBS seat matrix for the 2026-27 academic year, while cautioning medical colleges and counselling authorities against admitting students beyond the intake capacity formally approved by the regulator.

In a public notice issued earlier this month, the NMC said the updated matrix incorporated permissions granted for the establishment of new medical colleges and increases in the annual intake of existing colleges following decisions by its Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB), its first appeal committee and the second appeal committee under the Union Health Ministry.

The regulator has 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 of the appeal committees or other competent authorities, with any changes to be uploaded on the NMC website and taken into account by the Central and State counselling committees.

The latest matrix lists 1,40,214 MBBS seats across 836 medical colleges, including 63,971 seats in 391 government colleges and 76,243 seats in 445 private colleges. It follows an earlier matrix listing 1,27,028 renewed seats. The latest update includes 13,186 additional seats, of which 10,400 are in private medical colleges and 2,786 in government institutions.

The NMC’s latest warning comes against the backdrop of continuing approvals, appeals and changes in sanctioned intake. It has specifically directed counselling committees not to permit admissions against seats in excess of those approved and notified by MARB.

“Under no circumstances” should any medical college or institution admit students beyond its approved annual intake, the regulator said, warning that such admissions would constitute non-compliance with the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, and the regulations framed under it and could attract regulatory and penal action.

The NMC has also asked counselling committees to refer any discrepancy between the seats being offered by a college and those appearing in the approved matrix to MARB for clarification.

The notice has a further caveat for private medical colleges that have received permission either to establish a new MBBS college or increase their annual intake but have not yet furnished the required electronic bank guarantee.

Such colleges have been given seven days to submit the guarantee in favour of the Director, MARB. The letter of permission will be issued only after the guarantee is received, verified and found to be in order.

The regulatory clarification assumes significance as medical colleges have continued to receive permissions and seek increases in intake through the assessment and appeals process. It also places the onus on counselling authorities to ensure that the number of seats offered to NEET-UG candidates corresponds strictly to the latest sanctioned capacity.

The revised matrix also means that students and counselling authorities will have to track subsequent changes rather than rely on earlier versions of the seat matrix.

The NMC has directed all medical colleges to verify their institutional details in the latest matrix and immediately report any discrepancy or omission to MARB, preferably before the commencement of counselling.

The regulator’s repeated emphasis on sanctioned intake also highlights a fundamental distinction between a college seeking or receiving approval for additional capacity and the actual issuance of the letter of permission. Until the prescribed regulatory requirements, including the bank guarantee where applicable, are completed, the additional seats cannot be treated as available for admission.

The NMC has asked colleges to ensure that admissions for 2026-27 are made only against the seats notified in the latest matrix, “as amended from time to time”.

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