NEET UG 2026: 5000 MBBS Seats Increased in the Country, Crosses 1.29 Lakh Seat Mark

Historic Increase in MBBS Seats, a Golden Opportunity for Medical Students

The National Testing Agency (NTA) is scheduled to conduct the country’s sole medical entrance exam, the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET UG), in May 2026.

The online application process for the exam is expected to begin in February 2026. NEET UG provides admission to medical, dental, AYUSH, and nursing courses across the country, but the most competitive seats are always MBBS seats.

How to Get Admission to MBBS Through NEET UG

Counseling is conducted in medical colleges across the country based on the NEET UG results. In this, 15 percent of seats are filled by the Medical Counseling Committee (MCC) under the All India Quota (AIQ), while 85 percent of seats are allocated by the respective state counseling authority under the State Quota. This process is completed in accordance with the guidelines of the National Medical Council (NMC).

Continuous Increase in MBBS Seats

In the last few years, a large number of new medical colleges have been opened and the number of seats in existing colleges has also been increased to strengthen medical education in the country. This is directly benefiting millions of students taking NEET UG.

MBBS Seat Status in NEET UG 2025

During the 2025 counseling process, there were 808 medical colleges with a total of 124,750 MBBS seats available in the country.

However, due to non-renewal of seats in some colleges and other technical reasons, only approximately 123,700 seats were offered for admission.

Great News for NEET UG 2026

The good news for students appearing for NEET UG 2026 is that the number of MBBS seats in the country has increased by approximately 5,000. According to the latest seat matrix released on the NMC website:

There are now a total of 824 medical colleges in the country and the number of MBBS seats has increased to 1,29,603.

According to medical education experts, this increase in seats will somewhat ease the pressure of competition and provide better opportunities to deserving students.

Comparison of MBBS Seats for 2024, 2025, and 2026

MBBS Seat Count: 2024

Government Medical Colleges: 432

Seats: 60,485

Private/Deemed Medical Colleges: 343

Seats: 57,265

Total Medical Colleges: 775

Total MBBS Seats: 1,17,750

MBBS Seat Count: 2025

Government Medical Colleges: 450

Seats: 62,807

Private/Deemed Medical Colleges: 358

Seats: 60,893

Total Medical Colleges: 808

Total MBBS Seats: 1,23,700

MBBS Seat Count: 2026 (Latest)

Government Medical Colleges: 450

Seats: 63,160

Private and Deemed Medical Colleges: 374

Seats: 66,443

Total Medical Colleges: 824

Total MBBS Seats: 1,29,603

What This Increase Means for NEET UG 2026 Candidates

This increase in MBBS seats is crucial for students who have long dreamed of pursuing a medical career. More seats mean:

Improved selection chances
Possible lower cut-offs
Opportunity to study in new and modern medical colleges

However, competition will still remain fierce, so it’s important to prepare for NEET UG 2026 in a strategic and disciplined manner.

NEET UG 2026 is going to be significant for medical students in many ways. The largest increase in the number of MBBS seats ever not only reflects the expansion of medical education but also indicates that the country will have more trained doctors in the coming years.

Therefore, for students preparing for NEET UG 2026, this is the time to work hard and study in the right direction.

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Aabshar Hassan Quazi

Aabshar H. Quazi is a seasoned education writer associated with ALLEN Career Institute, where he crafts insightful blogs on competitive exam trends, student journeys, and academic guidance. With a background in journalism, Aabshar has worked as Principal Correspondent for Hindustan Times, honing his skills in storytelling, analysis, and impactful reporting. His writing blends credibility with clarity, making complex topics accessible for students and parents alike.