MBBS seat count crosses 1.29 lakh; 19 states get new medical colleges in one year

India saw the largest single-year expansion of MBBS seats with the total count rising to 1,29,026 in the academic year 2025-26. A total of 11,276 seats have been added this year, according to the final MBBS seat matrix published by the National Medical Commission (NMC).

While the NMC has approved 3,300 MBBS seats in new medical colleges, a significant number of expansions have happened due to the addition of seats in existing medical colleges. The total count has increased from 1,17,750 seats in 2024 to 1,29,026 seats in 2025.

The 11,501 MBBS seats exclude 231 seats of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER).

The NMC revised and updated the MBBS seat matrix following the Union Cabinet's nod to add 10,000 UG and PG medical seats under the phase 3 of Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS).

New medical colleges approved in 19 states

At least 19 states and Union Territories (UTs) have received approval for new medical colleges this year, as per the final seat matrix.

Out of 3,300 new seats, Rajasthan got the highest approval with six new medical colleges adding 500 MBBS seats. These colleges are located in Jaisalmer, Jaipur, and Kota among others. Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra received approval for four medical colleges, adding 400 and 300 seats respectively.

Bihar, Kerala, and West Bengal received approval for three new medical colleges. Several other states, including Assam, Haryana, Gujarat, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh also got approval for one or two new colleges.

Karnataka has the highest number of 13,944 MBBS seats in India as of December 3, 2025, the NMC seat matrix revealed, followed by Tamil Nadu (13,050), Uttar Pradesh (13,425), and Maharashtra (12,824).

MBBS seat withdrawal

The final MBBS seat matrix also shows withdrawal or conditional approval of seats at five medical colleges across the country.

Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Delhi lost its 150 seats due to a pending court case.

The addition of 50 new seats at Swaminarayan Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Gujarat is subject to the outcome of the court and CBI case. Seat increase at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Belagavi, Karnataka and National Capital Region Institute of Medical Sciences, Meerut, UP, are also on halt due to the pending legal cases.

Moreover, the NMC has added one supernumerary seat in Government Medical College Jammu following a high court order, it said.

State-wise number of MBBS seats

Medical aspirants appearing for NEET UG 2026 can check the state-wise number of MBBS seats available from the table below.