NEET PG 2026: NMC Releases Official MD/MS Seat Matrix for AY 2026–27; MCC Round 1 Registration Expected Soon
NMC MARB has officially released the nationwide PG seat matrix for AY 2026–27, resolving the regulatory hold and clearing the deck for MCC to announce Round 1 counselling dates.
NEET PG 2026: NMC Releases Official MD/MS Seat Matrix for AY 2026–27; Paves Way for MCC Round 1 Counselling Commencement
The National Medical Commission (NMC), through its Medical Assessment & Rating Board (MARB), has officially published the nationwide Seat Matrix for Postgraduate (PG) Medical Seats for the Academic Year 2026–27.
Issued under Public Notice Ref. No. M-19011/20/2025/NMC/PGMARB (e-8355689), the comprehensive 180-page document specifies the sanctioned intake capacity for MD, MS, and PG Diploma courses across all recognized medical colleges and teaching institutions across India as of 29 September 2026.
This landmark regulatory release resolves the primary administrative hold that paused the commencement of the national counselling process. Just 24 hours prior, the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), DGHS, published an official ticker notice on its portal stating that the commencement of NEET PG 2026 Counselling was awaiting the approved seat matrix from NMC and NBEMS. With NMC's official transmission, the pathway is now cleared for MCC and state counselling authorities to finalize software integration and release the Round 1 master schedule.
1. Key Highlights of NMC Public Notice No. M-19011/20/2025/NMC/PGMARB
Mandatory Compliance with Approved Matrix: All medical colleges and teaching institutions must strictly ensure that admissions for AY 2026–27 are conducted exclusively against the approved and notified seat matrix.
Absolute Prohibition of Excess Admissions: Under no circumstances shall any medical college or university admit students beyond its sanctioned annual intake capacity. Any excess admission will be treated as non-compliance with the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, attracting immediate regulatory and penal action against defaulting institutions.
Discrepancy Reporting Protocol: If any central or state counselling committee notices any discrepancy or deviation in the published matrix, the issue must be referred immediately to MARB for formal clarification.
Binding Regulatory Document: The published seat matrix serves as the authoritative legal baseline for seat allotments in 50% All India Quota (AIQ), 100% Deemed Universities, Central Universities, and 50% State Quota counselling.
2. Quota-Wise Distribution & Institutional Mapping
Quota Stream | Seat Scope & Allocation | Governing Admission Authority | Regulatory Relevance of NMC Matrix |
|---|---|---|---|
50% All India Quota (AIQ) | 50% MD/MS/Diploma seats contributed by State Govt Medical Colleges | Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), DGHS | NIC maps 50% seats from each state college directly from NMC sanctioned totals. |
Central Universities & Premier Institutes | 100% seats in VMMC, RML, LHMC, BHU, AMU | Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), DGHS | Direct 1:1 seat allotment matching approved intake in NMC matrix. |
Deemed Universities | 100% MD/MS seats across all private deemed medical colleges | Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), DGHS | Prevents mid-round seat additions or derecognition rollbacks. |
50% State Quota (SQ) | 50% Govt seats + 100% Private/GMERS/Trust non-deemed seats | State Counselling Bodies (ACPPGMEC, KEA, CET Cell, etc.) | States extract sanctioned institutional quotas to finalize state seat matrices. |
DNB Broad Specialities | Hospital-wise accredited post-MBBS DNB seats | MCC (allotted alongside MD/MS) | NBEMS accredited roster complements NMC matrix for common choice filling. |
3. Immediate Downstream Timeline for Doctors & Aspirants
NBEMS Individual Scorecards (1 October 2026): Candidates will be able to download their personalized scorecards containing overall percentile and all-India rank from natboard.edu.in.
MCC Information Bulletin & Schedule: MCC is expected to issue the detailed Round 1 schedule, covering registration dates, security deposit payment windows, choice filling deadlines, and provisional allotment timelines.
State Quota Notifications: State admission authorities will initiate state merit list registrations in synchronization with the central calendar.
Security Deposit Readiness: Candidates must ensure funds are liquid for mandatory security deposits:
For AIQ Government / Central Universities / DNB: Rs. 10,000/- (UR/EWS) or Rs. 5,000/- (SC/ST/OBC/PwBD).
For Deemed Universities: Rs. 2,00,000/- (Uniform across all categories).
4. Candidate Action Protocol
Review College & Branch Matrix: Cross-examine approved seat counts across preferred specialties and colleges to calculate realistic admission cutoffs.
Secure Original Credentials: Complete archiving of MBBS degree, internship completion certificate, and valid NMC/State Medical Council registration.
Validate Central Category Certificates: Central OBC-NCL and EWS certificates must be issued on or after April 1, 2026, valid for Financial Year 2026–27.
Avoid Unauthorized Portals: Never register or submit financial deposits on unverified third-party websites; all authentic central transactions occur solely on mcc.nic.in.
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