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Total MBBS Seats in India in 2026: Medical College and State-wise Breakdown
NEET UG
The NEET UG 2026 exam is scheduled to be conducted by the NTA on May 3rd, 2026. Even with 37 days left for the NEET UG 2026 exam (as of March 27, 2026), candidates are curious about the total MBBS seats in India in 2026 to understand the intensity of the competition. As of March 27, there are 1,28,976 total MBBS seats in India in 2026.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) is the responsible body for conducting the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). The registration window for the NEET exam has closed, and candidates are preparing for the exam using various methods and strategies. The competition is expected to be intense, with over 23 lakh candidates competing for 1,28,976 total MBBS seats in India in 2026. This article provides an overview of the NEET exam, a brief analysis of the total MBBS seats in India in 2026, and other vital information.
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is scheduled to be conducted on May 3rd, 2026, by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The exam will be conducted offline (pen-and-paper mode) from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (3 hours). There are 37 days left for the NEET UG 2026 exam, as of 27th March, 2026. Candidates are advised to strictly adhere to all vital deadlines for obtaining the NEET UG 2026 admit card and other required documents and prepare themselves for the exam.
Candidates can obtain a maximum of 720 marks from 180 questions in the NEET UG 2026 exam. Of the 180 questions, 45 will be from Physics, 45 from Chemistry, and 90 from Biology. +4 marks will be granted for a correct answer and -1 for a wrong answer. No marks will be added or reduced for unattempted questions. Candidates must ensure they cover the entire NEET 2026 syllabus while they prepare for the exam.
Every year, nearly half of the appearing candidates qualify the NEET UG exam and become eligible for the counselling process based on the percentile ranking system. 12,36,531 candidates qualified the NEET UG 2025 exam out of the 22,09,318 candidates who appeared for the same. This displays the intense competition for the available 1,28,976 total MBBS seats in India across 818 medical colleges.
Also Read Medical College Seat Distribution and Total MBBS Seats in India in 2025
The following analysis aims to help candidates better understand the total MBBS seats in India in 2026 across institute types and states. Having a knowledge of the total MBBS seats in India in 2026 across institute types and states helps candidates to better understand the competition. Knowing the total MBBS seats in India in 2026 also helps candidates to set mark targets and mentally prepare for the exam.
The total MBBS seats in India in 2026, i.e., 1,28,976 seats, are distributed across government, private, deemed, and other institutes (including AIIMS, JIPMER, AFMC, and Central University). Here’s a table showing the institute-type breakdown of the total MBBS seats in India in 2026:
The total MBBS seats in India in 2026 are 1,28,976, out of which 45.42%, i.e., 58,583, are seats in government medical colleges. For the private college type, the total MBBS seats in India in 2026 are 55,244 (42.83%). There are 12,249 (9.49%) total MBBS seats in India in 2026 for the deemed institute type. Other institutes, including AIIMS, JIPMER, AFMC, and Central Universities, account for 2,900 (2.24%) of the total MBBS seats in India in 2026. The total MBBS seats in India in 2026 are expected to increase further after approval from the National Medical Commission (NMC).
The total MBBS seats in India in 2026 are distributed in almost all the 28 states and 8 union territories. Here’s a state-wise analysis of the total MBBS seats in India in 2026 (for the top 7 states):
Karnataka leads with the highest number of seats for the NEET 2026-27 session, with 13,944 total MBBS seats in 2026. This is followed by Uttar Pradesh, with 13,425 total MBBS seats in 2026. Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Telangana, Gujarat, and Rajasthan have 13,050, 12,824, 9,540, 7,525, and 7,330 total MBBS seats in 2026, respectively.
India is expected to see record-breaking numbers in both the number of colleges and the total MBBS seats in 2026. A total of 43 medical colleges are expected to be added across various states in India. Additionally, over 11,682 are expected to be included for the NEET 2026-27 session, according to a report by Sartha. Such increases in medical colleges and MBBS seats in India in 2026 will greatly boost medical education in the country.
Every year, lakhs of candidates appear for the NEET exam; over half qualify, but only a few get admissions to colleges due to limited seat availability. Increasing the total MBBS seats in India in 2026 (expected 11,682) will not only provide opportunities to candidates but also strengthen the country's medical infrastructure by making medicines accessible even in the remotest parts.
Candidates can reach out to Hello Mentor to gain additional insights into the total MBBS seats in India in 2026. They can also access Hello Mentor’s official portal for free to view the previous years’ NEET trends.
Also Read Category-wise NEET Cut Off 2025 for MBBS in Government Colleges