File photo NEW DELHI: National Medical Commission has approved 9,911 additional undergraduate seats, taking the country’s total MBBS capacity to a record 1,36,939 for the 2026-27 academic session.The seat matrix released by the regulator also shows 1,27,028 renewed seats apart from the additional ones, approved through new medical colleges and increased intake in existing institutions. The expansion comes at a time when over 22 lakh candidates appear for NEET-UG every year, with the demand for MBBS seats continuing to far exceed availability.Explaining the sharp rise in the number of MBBS seats, Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) president M K Ramesh said the increase was driven by changes introduced under Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2023.”Earlier, a medical college could apply for an increase in MBBS seats only after its first batch had completed four-and-a-half to five years. Under the 2023 regulations, that restriction has been removed. Colleges can now seek an increase in intake from the second year itself, provided they meet the prescribed norms,” Ramesh told TOI.The approved seat matrix, which excludes Institutes of National Importance such as AIIMS and JIPMER, covers 823 medical colleges across the country, including 441 govt and 382 private institutions, and will form the basis for this year’s counselling. NMC said the matrix could be revised if required following decisions of the Appeal Committee or any other competent authority.With MBBS seats touching a record high, India is expected to expand its medical workforce. The Centre estimates the country’s doctor-population ratio at 1:811, compared with the widely cited benchmark of one doctor per 1,000 population.But NMC also warned medical colleges against admitting students beyond the sanctioned intake, saying any violation would attract regulatory and penal action under NMC Act, 2019. Colleges have been asked to verify their approved seat matrix before counselling begins and report any discrepancies to MARB.Of the 9,911 additional MBBS seats, 2,400 are in 25 newly established medical colleges (seven govt and 18 private), while the remaining 7,511 have come from enhanced intake in existing colleges. Private institutions accounted for nearly 79% of the additional seats approved this year.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorAnuja JaiswalAnuja Jaiswal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, with an impressive 18-year career in narrative journalism. She specializes in health and heritage reporting, expertly simplifying complex health information to make it engaging and understandable for readers. Her deep dives into heritage topics are well-researched, resulting in captivating narratives that resonate with her audience. Over the years, she has worked in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh and West UP, gaining diverse on-ground experience that shapes her storytelling.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBageshwar Baba Dhirendra Shastri’s Brother Arrested For Firing At Farmer In Madhya Pradesh’Abhishek Has Done No Wrong’: Mamata Banerjee Defends Nephew Amid TMC Rebellion“Party Is Sinking”: Mamata’s Loyalist Crosses Over To Ritabrata Camp; TMC Crack Deepens’Serious Risk’ To India’s Largest Nuclear Plant Kudankulam After Files Leaked On Dark Web: ReportRahul Gandhi Steps In As Punjab Congress Infighting Threatens 2027 Election PreparationsExplained: Why PM Modi’s July 17 Punjab Visit Is Politically Crucial Ahead Of Assembly ElectionsHigh Profile Political Meeting Rekindle Talk Of NCP Unity In Maharashtra; Patil Denies BuzzKGMU Bars Cooking Of Non-Veg Food In Hostels After Governor Flags Issue At ConvocationIndia-UK FTA: What Gets Cheaper, How Exporters Benefit And Why The Deal MattersTMC Rift Deepens As Kalyan Banerjee Launches Fresh Attack On Abhishek And I-PAC123Photostories5 long-haired dog breeds that win hearts with their looks and personalityLooking for better health? 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NEW DELHI: National Medical Commission has approved 9,911 additional undergraduate seats, taking the country’s total MBBS capacity to a record 1,36,939 for the 2026-27 academic session.The seat matrix released by the regulator also shows 1,27,028 renewed seats apart from the additional ones, approved through new medical colleges and increased intake in existing institutions. The expansion comes at a time when over 22 lakh candidates appear for NEET-UG every year, with the demand for MBBS seats continuing to far exceed availability.Explaining the sharp rise in the number of MBBS seats, Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) president M K Ramesh said the increase was driven by changes introduced under Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2023.
“Earlier, a medical college could apply for an increase in MBBS seats only after its first batch had completed four-and-a-half to five years. Under the 2023 regulations, that restriction has been removed. Colleges can now seek an increase in intake from the second year itself, provided they meet the prescribed norms,” Ramesh told TOI.The approved seat matrix, which excludes Institutes of National Importance such as AIIMS and JIPMER, covers 823 medical colleges across the country, including 441 govt and 382 private institutions, and will form the basis for this year’s counselling. NMC said the matrix could be revised if required following decisions of the Appeal Committee or any other competent authority.With MBBS seats touching a record high, India is expected to expand its medical workforce. The Centre estimates the country’s doctor-population ratio at 1:811, compared with the widely cited benchmark of one doctor per 1,000 population.But NMC also warned medical colleges against admitting students beyond the sanctioned intake, saying any violation would attract regulatory and penal action under NMC Act, 2019. Colleges have been asked to verify their approved seat matrix before counselling begins and report any discrepancies to MARB.Of the 9,911 additional MBBS seats, 2,400 are in 25 newly established medical colleges (seven govt and 18 private), while the remaining 7,511 have come from enhanced intake in existing colleges. Private institutions accounted for nearly 79% of the additional seats approved this year.
