The NEET UG Seat Matrix 2026 is an important reference for students planning to secure an MBBS seat in the 2026–27 academic session. It gives candidates a clear idea of the approved seat capacity across government medical colleges, private institutions and deemed universities in different states.

For students preparing for NEET UG counselling 2026, understanding the seat matrix is just as important as checking previous-year cutoffs. A candidate’s admission chances depend not only on NEET rank but also on the number of available seats, category, applicable quota, domicile eligibility, college preference order and the counselling round.

The data shared for this article indicates a total of 1,36,939 MBBS seats across 823 medical colleges, including 9,911 additional seats for the academic session. These numbers should still be checked against the latest official NMC, MCC and state counselling notices before final choice locking because seat approval and round-wise availability may change.

NEET UG Seat Matrix 2026: Main Highlights

The following overview helps candidates understand the expected structure of MBBS seat availability for NEET UG 2026.

Particular	Details
Entrance examination	NEET UG 2026
Admission session	2026–27
Course	MBBS
Seat approval authority	National Medical Commission
Total medical colleges	823
Total MBBS intake	1,36,939
Renewed seats	1,27,028
Additional seats	9,911
Newly approved institutions	25
Institutions included	Government, private and deemed medical colleges
Institutions excluded from shared matrix	Institutes of National Importance

These figures represent overall approved capacity. They do not mean that every seat will be visible on the MCC portal or become available to every candidate.

What Does the NEET UG Seat Matrix Mean?

The NEET UG seat matrix is a structured record showing the number of MBBS seats approved in medical colleges for a particular admission year.

It may contain information such as:

• Name of the medical college
• State and district
• Government or private management
• University affiliation
• Existing MBBS intake
• Newly approved seats
• Revised total intake
• Course and seat category
• Counselling authority

Candidates use the matrix to understand where MBBS seats are concentrated and which institutions may become available during counselling.

However, the approved college intake is different from the number of seats available during an individual counselling round.

NMC Seat Matrix and Counselling Seat Matrix: What Is the Difference?

Students often use both terms interchangeably, but they represent different stages of seat allocation.

NMC Seat Matrix

The NMC matrix reflects the number of MBBS seats approved for each medical college during the academic year. It provides the base capacity from which counselling authorities prepare their quota-wise seat distribution.

NEET UG Counselling Seat Matrix

The counselling seat matrix contains seats actually open for allotment in a particular counselling round.

For example, a college may have an approved intake of 200 students, but those seats may be divided among All India Quota, state quota, management quota, minority quota, NRI quota and reserved categories.

Point of difference	NMC matrix	Counselling matrix
Main purpose	Shows approved annual intake	Shows seats currently open for allotment
Issuing authority	NMC	MCC or state counselling authority
Release stage	Academic-session approval stage	Before individual counselling rounds
Information shown	College-wise intake	Quota, category and vacancy details
Main use	Overall seat-capacity analysis	Choice filling and seat selection
Possibility of change	May be revised after approval decisions	Changes after allotment and resignation

Students seeking MBBS admission should check both documents. The NMC data confirms the approved capacity, while the counselling matrix shows whether a seat can actually be selected.

State-Wise NEET UG Seat Matrix 2026

The number of MBBS seats differs considerably across states. Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra have some of the largest seat pools in the shared matrix.

State/UT	Renewed seats	Added seats	Total seats
Andaman and Nicobar Islands	114	0	114
Andhra Pradesh	7,090	375	7,465
Arunachal Pradesh	100	0	100
Assam	1,875	0	1,875
Bihar	3,420	740	4,160
Chandigarh	150	50	200
Chhattisgarh	2,380	545	2,925
Dadra and Nagar Haveli	177	0	177
Delhi	1,415	0	1,415
Goa	200	50	250
Gujarat	7,550	200	7,750
Haryana	2,710	250	2,960
Himachal Pradesh	870	1	871
Jammu and Kashmir	1,575	100	1,675
Jharkhand	1,130	370	1,500
Karnataka	14,095	1,300	15,395
Kerala	5,454	250	5,704
Madhya Pradesh	5,600	420	6,020
Maharashtra	12,699	400	13,099
Manipur	525	25	550
Meghalaya	250	0	250
Mizoram	100	0	100
Nagaland	100	0	100
Odisha	2,900	50	2,950
Puducherry	1,630	150	1,780
Punjab	1,800	50	1,850
Rajasthan	7,180	900	8,080
Sikkim	100	100	200
Tamil Nadu	13,049	950	13,999
Telangana	9,440	810	10,250
Tripura	450	50	500
Uttar Pradesh	13,200	800	14,000
Uttarakhand	1,325	150	1,475
West Bengal	6,375	825	7,200
Total	1,27,028	9,911	1,36,939

The state-wise totals above are based on the material supplied for this article.

A state having more MBBS seats does not automatically offer easy admission. The final competition level also depends on:

• Number of applicants
• State domicile rules
• Distribution of government and private seats
• Reservation policy
• College fees
• Candidate preferences
• Previous closing ranks

States with the Largest MBBS Seat Pools

The following states have the highest total MBBS intake according to the shared data.

Rank	State	Total MBBS seats
1	Karnataka	15,395
2	Uttar Pradesh	14,000
3	Tamil Nadu	13,999
4	Maharashtra	13,099
5	Telangana	10,250
6	Rajasthan	8,080
7	Gujarat	7,750
8	Andhra Pradesh	7,465
9	West Bengal	7,200
10	Madhya Pradesh	6,020

These states may offer a larger college list during NEET UG counselling 2026, but candidates must check whether the seats are available through AIQ, state quota, private counselling or deemed university counselling.

All India Quota and State Quota Seat Matrix

Government MBBS seats are primarily divided between All India Quota and state quota.

All India Quota

MCC conducts counselling for the applicable All India Quota seats and other participating institutions under its framework.

Candidates from different states can participate, subject to the latest eligibility rules.

State Quota

State counselling authorities manage the applicable state quota seats and most seats in private medical colleges located within the state.

Eligibility may depend on:

• Domicile
• Residency
• Schooling
• State category certificate
• Parent’s employment
• Other state-specific conditions

Particular	All India Quota	State quota
Counselling authority	MCC	State counselling authority
Main government seat share	Generally 15%	Generally 85%
Eligibility reach	National	State-specific
Domicile	Usually not required for AIQ	Often required
Choice filling	MCC portal	State portal
Private colleges	Limited participating categories	Most private institutions
Seat matrix release	Before MCC rounds	Before state rounds

Candidates eligible for both processes should register separately and prepare different choice lists.

Government and Private MBBS Seat Distribution

The share of government and private medical seats varies across India. Some states have more government colleges, while others depend heavily on private medical education.

State	Government seats	Private seats
Andhra Pradesh	3,465	3,750
Bihar	1,710	2,250
Chhattisgarh	1,475	1,100
Gujarat	1,950	3,050
Haryana	1,060	1,400
Karnataka	4,400	7,745
Kerala	1,855	3,700
Madhya Pradesh	3,020	3,000
Maharashtra	5,950	3,599
Rajasthan	4,480	3,250
Tamil Nadu	5,349	5,250
Telangana	4,400	5,200
Uttar Pradesh	5,700	7,300
West Bengal	4,350	2,550

Government MBBS seats remain highly competitive because of lower tuition fees. Private medical colleges may provide more options at later ranks, but the complete course cost can be significantly higher.

Before adding a private institution during choice filling, check:

• Annual tuition fee
• Hostel and mess charges
• Security deposit
• University fee
• Service bond
• Course discontinuation penalty
• Fee revision policy
• NRI or management quota charges

Types of Seats Included in MBBS Counselling

Government Quota Seats

These seats generally carry lower fees and are allotted through MCC or state counselling depending on the quota.

Management Quota Seats

Management quota seats are generally offered in private medical colleges through state counselling. Their fees are usually higher than government quota seats.

Minority Quota Seats

Minority medical institutions may reserve seats according to applicable rules. Candidates may need to submit valid minority certificates.

Deemed University Seats

Deemed medical university seats are generally allotted through MCC counselling. Their tuition fees can be considerably higher than government or regular private quota fees.

NRI Quota Seats

NRI quota admission may require specific documents, including:

• NRI status proof
• Sponsorship certificate
• Relationship documents
• Passport and visa
• Embassy certificate, where applicable
• Financial documents

Candidates should not select an NRI seat without first checking their eligibility and the total cost.

Newly Approved Medical Colleges for NEET UG 2026

The addition of new colleges may create more opportunities for MBBS admission. Some newly approved institutions listed in the shared material are shown below.

Medical college	State	Approved intake
Alva’s Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre	Karnataka	150
APS Medical College Hospital and Research Institute	Tamil Nadu	150
B.S.P. Medical College and Hospital	Maharashtra	150
Bharat Vikas Institute of Medical Sciences, Kota	Rajasthan	150
Buddha Hospital and Research Institute	Bihar	100
Government Medical College Dantewada	Chhattisgarh	50
Government Medical College Janjgir-Champa	Chhattisgarh	50
Government Medical College Piduguralla	Andhra Pradesh	50
Mauli Medical College Hospital and Research Center	Maharashtra	100
Sanskaram School of Medical Sciences	Haryana	100
Sikkim Government Medical College	Sikkim	100
SKS Medical College	West Bengal	150

New institutions should not be selected only because they have vacant seats. Candidates should also research:

• Hospital readiness
• Faculty availability
• Hostel facilities
• Clinical departments
• Patient flow
• Campus location
• Recognition status
• Final participation in counselling

Colleges with Increased MBBS Intake

Some existing medical colleges have received additional seats, increasing their revised annual capacity.

Medical college	Earlier intake	Seats added	Revised intake
Agartala Government Medical College	150	50	200
BGS Global Institute of Medical Sciences	150	100	250
Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Kolhapur	150	50	200
Goa Medical College	200	50	250
Government Medical College, Jammu	200	50	250
Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences	150	100	250
Patna Medical College	200	50	250
Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi	180	70	250
United Institute of Medical Sciences	150	100	250
Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research	200	50	250

An increase in seats can improve availability, but it does not guarantee a major decrease in cutoff. Popular institutions may continue to close at competitive ranks despite the higher intake.

Medical Colleges with High MBBS Intake

Several established institutions have an approved intake of 250 MBBS students.

Government Medical Colleges

College	State	Seats
Madras Medical College	Tamil Nadu	250
Maulana Azad Medical College	Delhi	250
Grant Medical College	Maharashtra	250
King George’s Medical University	Uttar Pradesh	250
Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute	Karnataka	250
B. J. Medical College	Gujarat	250
Andhra Medical College	Andhra Pradesh	250
Calcutta National Medical College	West Bengal	250
Assam Medical College	Assam	250
Pt. B. D. Sharma PGIMS	Haryana	250

Private Medical Colleges

College	State	Seats
A. J. Institute of Medical Sciences	Karnataka	250
ACS Medical College and Hospital	Tamil Nadu	250
Adesh Medical College and Hospital	Haryana	250
Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences	Karnataka	250
Akash Institute of Medical Sciences	Karnataka	250
Al-Azhar Medical College	Kerala	250
Alluri Sitarama Raju Academy of Medical Sciences	Andhra Pradesh	250
Amaltas Institute of Medical Sciences	Madhya Pradesh	250
BGS Global Institute of Medical Sciences	Karnataka	250
Bhaarat Medical College and Hospital	Tamil Nadu	250

A larger intake may create more opportunities, but students should also check clinical exposure, hospital facilities, fees and previous closing ranks.

How the Seat Matrix Affects NEET UG Counselling 2026

The NEET UG Seat Matrix 2026 acts as the foundation of the counselling process. MCC and state authorities use the approved intake to prepare their quota-wise and round-specific vacancy lists.

The matrix influences:

• Number of choices visible on the counselling portal
• State-wise MBBS admission opportunities
• Category-wise seat availability
• AIQ and state quota distribution
• Round-wise cutoff movement
• Seats carried forward to later rounds
• Vacancies created after resignation
• Availability of newly approved colleges

A higher overall seat count can improve national admission opportunities, but the benefit for an individual candidate depends on their rank, category and eligible quota.

Round-Wise Seat Matrix During Counselling

Round 1

Round 1 generally offers the widest initial selection of medical colleges. Candidates should include dream, target, realistic and backup options.

Round 2

Round 2 may include:

• Seats not allotted in Round 1
• Seats vacated after resignation
• Vacancies created through upgradation
• Newly added seats
• Seats returned to the counselling pool

Candidates should review the revised matrix instead of copying their previous choice order.

Round 3 or Mop-Up Round

This stage generally contains seats remaining after earlier rounds. Rules related to resignation, security deposits and non-joining may be stricter.

Stray Vacancy Round

The stray vacancy matrix includes seats still unfilled after the main rounds. Candidates should select only colleges they are fully prepared to join.

How to Use the Seat Matrix for Choice Filling

A seat matrix is most useful when combined with cutoff data and personal preferences.

Candidates can divide their college list into four sections:

College group	Purpose
Dream colleges	Highly preferred colleges with competitive cutoffs
Target colleges	Options close to the expected rank range
Safe colleges	Colleges with comparatively stronger admission chances
Backup colleges	Acceptable alternatives to reduce admission risk

The college a candidate prefers the most should be placed first. A safer college should not be placed above a better option merely because its cutoff appears easier.

Important Factors to Check Before Adding a College

Before including any medical college in the NEET UG counselling 2026 preference list, review:

• Approved MBBS intake
• Previous-year closing rank
• Candidate category
• Applicable quota
• State eligibility
• Tuition fees
• Hostel and mess expenses
• Security deposit
• Service bond
• Seat-leaving penalty
• Location
• Teaching hospital
• Patient inflow
• Internship exposure
• Recognition status

Candidates should select only those institutions they are genuinely willing and financially prepared to join.

Common Seat Matrix Mistakes

Confusing Approved Intake with Available Seats

A college’s total intake does not represent the number of seats open in a specific counselling round.

Using an Outdated Matrix

The college list and seat numbers can change. Always check the latest document.

Ignoring Quota Eligibility

A college may have seats, but they may not be available under the candidate’s quota or category.

Looking Only at Total Seat Numbers

A state with more seats may still have high competition or restrictive domicile conditions.

Adding Private Colleges Without Fee Research

High tuition or additional charges may make a college unaffordable after allotment.

Missing Round-Wise Updates

Seat availability changes after every counselling round because of allotment, resignation and upgradation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NEET UG Seat Matrix 2026?

It is a college-wise record of approved MBBS seats for the 2026–27 academic session.

Who releases the seat matrix?

NMC provides the approved college intake, while MCC and state authorities release quota-wise and round-wise counselling matrices.

Does the matrix cover government and private medical colleges?

Yes, the shared data includes government, private and deemed medical institutions within the scope of the matrix.

Are all seats allotted through MCC?

No. MCC manages applicable AIQ and other notified seats, while state authorities conduct counselling for state quota and most private college seats.

Can the seat matrix change?

Yes. Seats may be increased, reduced, added, withdrawn or redistributed through official decisions.

How does the seat matrix help with MBBS admission?

It helps candidates identify participating colleges, compare seat capacity and build a practical choice-filling list.

Does a higher seat count guarantee a lower cutoff?

No. Cutoffs also depend on college popularity, fees, category, location and candidate demand.

Final Words

The NEET UG Seat Matrix 2026 is an essential planning resource for students seeking MBBS admission through NEET UG 2026. It helps candidates understand state-wise seat capacity, government and private college distribution, newly approved institutions and intake increases.

However, candidates should not use total seat numbers as the only basis for college selection. The latest counselling matrix, previous-year closing ranks, quota eligibility, fees, location and hospital exposure should also be reviewed.

During NEET UG counselling 2026, students should check the updated seat matrix before every round and revise their college preferences accordingly. A well-researched and correctly ordered choice list can significantly improve the chances of securing a suitable MBBS seat.