NEET UG 2026 Seat Matrix - What It Means for Your MBBS Admission
Do you have any worries about your NEET UG 2026 rank and your prospects of getting into medicine? Many students think of this. To know about the NEET UG 2026 seat matrix is super beneficial. The list of all MBBS seats in India for the year 2026 can help you choose your college wisely.
Simply put, it tells you:
- How many seats are open in each college.
- Which quotas they belong to (like AIQ or State).
- Where you can apply.
This NEET counselling seat matrix is your key tool before counselling starts. By matching your All India Rank with the total MBBS seats after NEET in your target colleges and quotas, you can realistically predict your chances. It turns anxiety into action, directly linking your rank to your final college choice.
If you understand this matrix, it will lead you to a smart counselling strategy.
What is the NEET UG 2026 Seat Matrix?
The NEET seat matrix is like the official guest list for MBBS admissions. It is a document that lists every available seat for NEET UG 2026.
Who creates it?
Two main regulatory bodies do this:
- The NMC approves the total number of seats.
- The MCC publishes the final seat matrix PDF for All India Quota counselling.
What is inside it?
The NMCC MBBS seat matrix shows details for each college. The number of seats in each college is shown. And how they are divided by quota (like AIQ, State) and category (General, OBC, SC/ST).
Provisional vs. Final
A provisional matrix is released first for review. The final MCC seat distribution is announced just before counselling. And it is the one you must use. Always rely on official sources to avoid fake lists.
Total MBBS Seats in India Through NEET UG 2026
Every year, over a million students compete for a fixed number of MBBS seats in India. For NEET UG 2026, the total number of seats is expected to be around 1,29,026. This number includes all types of medical colleges.
Here is a simple breakdown of where these total MBBS seats in India come from:
| Category | Number of Seats |
|---|---|
| Total MBBS Seats (All India) | 1,29,026 |
| Government MBBS Seats (Including AIIMS / INIs) | 63,683 |
| Private MBBS Seats | 65,343 |
| AIIMS MBBS Seats (Included in Gov.) | 2,257 |
This table shows the balance between government MBBS seats for NEET and private MBBS seats in 2026. There are thousands of seats available, but competition is fierce. With the addition of new institutions, the number increases little annually, giving students additional options.
NEET UG 2026 Seat Matrix by Quota (AIQ, Deemed, Central, State)
The key to using the seat matrix is knowing about quotas. Your rank qualifies you for different "pools" of seats. Here's a simple guide.
| Quota | % of Seats | Counselling Body | Who Can Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIQ | 15% | MCC | All India |
| State | 85% | State Authority | State Domicile Only |
| Deemed | 100% | MCC | All India |
| Central | 100% | MCC | All India |
1. All India Quota (15% AIQ)
The AIQ seats in NEET UG are your national chance. Government medical colleges have 15% seats available in this pool. It is run by the MCC. Any student in India can compete for these seats, no matter their home state. This quota increases your options beyond your own state.
2. State Quota (85%)
The remaining 85% of seats in government colleges are reserved for the State Quota. Only students with a valid domicile (proof of residence) of that state can apply. Counselling for these is done by the state's own authority, not the MCC.
State-Wise Government MBBS Seat Matrix (2026)
(Selected major states)
| State / UT | Govt MBBS Seats |
|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | 3,415 |
| Assam | 1,975 |
| Bihar | 1,645 |
| Delhi | 1,296 |
| Gujarat | 4,325 |
| Karnataka | 4,249 |
| Maharashtra | 6,075 |
| Tamil Nadu | 5,250 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 5,925 |
| West Bengal | 4,149 |
| Total (Govt) | 63,683 |
State-Wise Private MBBS Seat Matrix (2026)
(Selected major states)
| State / UT | Private MBBS Seats |
|---|---|
| Karnataka | 9,695 |
| Tamil Nadu | 7,800 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 7,500 |
| Maharashtra | 6,749 |
| Telangana | 5,150 |
| Andhra Pradesh | 3,800 |
| Kerala | 3,549 |
| Gujarat | 3,200 |
| Rajasthan | 2,700 |
| Bihar | 1,900 |
| Total (Private) | 65,343 |
3. Deemed Universities (100% MCC)
Deemed university MBBS seats are private institutions of high standard. They are separate from other private colleges. All their seats are filled by the MCC for NEET UG 2026. They welcome all-India applicants but charge very high tuition.
4. Central Universities & AIIMS
This incorporates leading institutes such as AIIMS, JIPMER, BHU and AMU. The MCC handles 100% of Central University's MBBS admissions. They accept applicants from all around India and are in great demand.
AIIMS, JIPMER & Central Universities Seat Contribution
AIIMS seats are part of NEET. All seats at AIIMS, JIPMER and Central Universities like BHU and AMU are filled through the NEET UG 2026 exam and MCC counselling. Their national reputation makes them very competitive.
| Institution Type | Approx. Seats | Counselling |
|---|---|---|
| AIIMS | 2,257 | MCC |
| JIPMER | 249 | MCC |
| Central Universities | 2,350+ | MCC |
These central university MBBS seats are a key part of the top-tier options in the NEET UG seat matrix.
New Medical Colleges Added in NEET UG 2026 Seat Matrix
Good news! The number of MBBS seats increases slightly each year. For NEET UG 2026, new government and private medical colleges will add seats to the national pool.
| Category | Increased Seats (Year-Over-Year) |
|---|---|
| Government (Non-AIIMS) | 2,976 |
| AIIMS (Gov) | 222 |
| Total Government Increase | 3,198 |
| Private Increase | 8,078 |
| Grand Total Increase | 11,276 |
New medical colleges in India can reduce their cutoff ranks to a small extent by 2026. New opportunities arise, especially for students with mid to lower ranks.
Strategically, always check the official seat matrix for these additions.
How to Use NEET UG 2026 Seat Matrix During Counselling
Read below to know how to turn the above data into a winning NEET counselling strategy:
- Match Your Rank to Quotas: First, use your All India Rank to see which AIQ seats you might get. Then, check your state rank for State Quota seats. This tells you where your chances are strongest.
- AIQ vs State vs Deemed: Pick a list that is in balance. With the help of the matrix identify safety choices in your state quota. Select ambition options in the AIQ or deemed university lists.
- Master Choice Filling: The choice filling of NEET UG is important. List colleges in order of true preference, not just guessed cutoffs. Use the seat matrix to know exactly how many seats are in each institute.
- Plan for All Rounds: Always check the updated mop-up round seat matrix. New seats and vacant seats appear here, offering a second chance. Never assume the first round is your only opportunity.
Common NEET UG Seat Matrix Confusions Students Face
Many students face MBBS admission confusion because of a few common mistakes. Watch out for these NEET UG counselling problems:
- Overestimating AIQ chances and ignoring safer state quota options.
- Do not ignore deemed universities without checking their seat matrix.
- Not monitoring newly added universities to the official list.
- Missing mop-up rounds where the seat allocation can change.
Conclusion
Do you need assistance for NEET UG 2026 counselling? MOKSH Overseas Educon has the capability of providing all the clarity.
Our professionals provide MBBS admissions and NEET counselling services. We help calculate your rank, shortlisting with college and AIQ vs. with deemed strategy.
Book a free counselling session with a NEET UG consultant today.
