NEET PG 2026 Counseling Seat Matrix Released with Increased Opportunities
Overview of NEET PG 2026 Counseling
The NEET PG 2026 counseling seat matrix has been unveiled, revealing a significant increase in available seats. According to the National Medical Commission (NMC) and the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), the total number of seats for MD, MS, and other postgraduate medical programs has surged to around 58,000 for the academic year 2026-27.
This is promising news for those aspiring to pursue NEET PG studies. The latest data shows an increase from last year's total of 52,173 seats, representing an approximate growth of 11%. This expansion spans across government, private, and deemed medical institutions. Specifically, private and deemed universities have seen a remarkable 32% rise in seats, while government medical colleges have experienced a 10% increase.
The updated seat matrix for NEET PG 2026 features an expansion in several important specializations, including Anesthesia, Ophthalmology, ENT, Pathology, Psychiatry, and Respiratory Medicine. In government medical colleges, the distribution of seats includes 3,205 for Anesthesiology, 3,201 for General Medicine, and 2,805 for General Surgery. Additionally, there are 2,635 seats for Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBG), 2,176 for Pediatrics, and 1,833 for Pathology. Other specializations include 1,603 seats in Orthopedics, 1,223 in Ophthalmology, 1,192 in Community Medicine, and 1,182 in Radio-diagnosis.
Potential Changes to the Seat Matrix
The NMC has indicated that the released seat matrix may be subject to modifications if necessary. The current matrix does not account for additional seats that are pending approval; requests have been made to either increase seats in existing postgraduate courses or to introduce new programs. Any newly approved seats or programs will be incorporated into an updated seat matrix. Medical colleges are mandated to conduct admissions strictly based on the number of seats that have been officially approved. Should any discrepancies arise during the counseling process, the issue will be escalated to the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB).
Registration Process for PwBD Candidates
The registration portal for Round 1 of NEET-PG counseling for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) candidates is set to open on October 1, 2026. Candidates can register and select their preferences through the MCC website, mcc.nic.in. Medical assessments for PwBD candidates will also take place within the designated timeframe. The primary medical assessment board will operate from 5:00 PM on October 1 until October 9, while the appellate medical board will be available for appeals from 10:00 AM on October 5 until 5:00 PM on October 12.