The National Medical Commission (NMC) has officially released the revised seat matrix for MBBS and BDS courses for the academic year 2025–26, bringing major changes in the total number of available seats across India. The update plays a significant role for NEET UG aspirants, as it directly impacts admission opportunities across government and private medical colleges.
In this updated announcement, NMC has confirmed the inclusion of 11,350 new seats, taking the total number of MBBS seats to 1,28,875, which also includes seats at centrally governed institutions like AIIMS and JIPMER. However, the revised count reflects a reduction of 50 seats from the previously updated figure of 1,28,925.
Why Did NMC Reduce the Total MBBS Seats by 50 in the Latest Revision?
NMC initially released a seat matrix mentioning 1,28,925 seats, but the number has now been corrected to 1,28,875. The reduction happened due to data rectification during the seat renewal process. As per NMC, 456 seats were removed due to typographical errors in previous documentation. Earlier, another version hinted at an 11,400 seat increase, showing a mismatch of 100 seats with the latest figure.
This suggests that the Commission conducted a thorough audit of the database to ensure accuracy before reopening the admission cycle.
How Many New MBBS Seats Have Been Added for 2025–26?
A key highlight of the update is the addition of 11,350 new seats across medical colleges in India. With medical education expanding rapidly, the seat increase aims to bridge the gap between the rising number of NEET contestants and the limited availability of seats.
With over 24 lakh NEET UG aspirants, the addition of seats brings much-needed relief, although competition remains intense due to the large applicant pool.
What Is the Region-Wise Distribution of MBBS Seats Across India?
Students often look for state- and region-wise seat data to plan college preferences before counselling. Below is the updated seat matrix divided into six regions:
Which Region Has the Highest Number of MBBS Seats for 2025–26?
South India continues to hold the largest share of MBBS seats, followed by West and North India. Here is the updated distribution:
| Region | Total Colleges | Total Seats | States/UT Covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| South India | 285 | 44,825 | Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Puducherry |
| North India | 180 | 28,340 | Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Chandigarh |
| West India | 175 | 28,650 | Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Dadra & Nagar Haveli |
| East India | 95 | 14,875 | West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand |
| Northeast India | 25 | 3,100 | Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Tripura, Mizoram, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim |
| Central India | 59 | 9,085 | Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh |
This data reflects a strategic increase in seats across both government and private colleges, helping promote wider medical education access, especially in underserved regions.
What Has NMC Announced for PG Super Speciality Students?
Along with UG course updates, NMC also issued a notification for Postgraduate Super Speciality (DM/MCh) students. Candidates are instructed to visit the official NMC website and verify their name and details.
If a student’s name is missing, they must immediately reach out to:
- Directorate of Medical Education (DME), or
- The designated counselling authority
This step is crucial to avoid document-related discrepancies during counselling and admission.
What Should NEET UG Aspirants Know About the Stray Round Counselling for 2025?
Who Is Eligible for the NEET UG 2025 Stray Round?
Candidates who were not allotted seats in previous counselling rounds - including Round 1, Round 2, and Mop-Up Round - are eligible to take part in the Stray Vacancy Round.
The official schedule highlights the following:
- Registration Begins: November 4, 2025
- Tentative Seat Matrix Release: November 4, 2025
Once the seat allotment is done, selected candidates must report to the allotted college with original certificates for final admission.
What Happens If a Candidate Fails to Join the Allotted Seat?
NMC has issued a strict advisory:
If a student is allotted a seat in the stray round and fails to report or take admission, they will face:
- One-year Ban from appearing in the NEET exam
- Forfeiture of counselling/registration fees
This rule is implemented to avoid last-minute seat wastage and ensure timely enrolment.
Why Is This Seat Matrix Update Important for Aspiring Medical Students?
This updated seat matrix determines the availability of seats, cut-off trends, and college options for lakhs of NEET candidates. With the medical field expanding, the introduction of new seats each year provides more opportunities for students to fulfil their dream of becoming doctors.
The regional data also helps candidates compare seat availability and competition levels in different states.
FAQs About NMC Revises MBBS, BDS Seat Matrix
What is the total number of MBBS seats for 2025–26?
The total number of MBBS seats for 2025–26 is 1,28,875 across India.
How many new MBBS seats were added this year?
A total of 11,350 new MBBS seats have been added for the 2025–26 session.
Why did NMC reduce 50 MBBS seats from the earlier count?
The reduction of 50 seats was due to corrections after removing typographical errors during data revision.
Which region has the highest MBBS seats in 2025–26?
South India has the highest number of MBBS seats, with 44,825 seats across 285 colleges.
What is the total MBBS seat count in North India?
North India has 28,340 MBBS seats divided among 180 medical colleges.
When will NEET UG 2025 stray round registration begin?
Registration for the NEET UG 2025 stray round starts on November 4, 2025.
Who can apply for the NEET UG stray round?
Students who did not get a seat in any previous counselling rounds are eligible for the stray round.
What happens if a student misses admission after seat allotment in stray round?
If a student does not join the allotted college, they will face a one-year NEET exam ban and lose their counselling fees.
What should PG super speciality students do as per NMC’s notice?
They must check their names on the NMC website and contact DME or counselling authorities if details are missing.
Why is the revised seat matrix important for NEET aspirants?
It helps students understand seat availability, region-wise competition, and plan their college choices better.