NMC Opens Applications for New Medical Colleges and MBBS Seat Expansion 2026–27

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has officially issued a notification inviting online applications for the establishment of new medical colleges and for increasing undergraduate (MBBS) seat intake in existing medical colleges for the academic year 2026–27.

Eligible institutions can apply only through the official NMC website. Offline applications will not be accepted.

Important Dates

• Application Start Date: December 29, 2025

• Last Date to Apply: January 28, 2026

Categories of Applicants

The notification applies to two categories:

1. Institutions proposing to establish new medical colleges with UG (MBBS) courses

2. Existing medical colleges seeking an increase in MBBS seats

All applicant institutions must strictly comply with:

• NMC regulations

• Minimum Standard Requirements (MSR)

• Guidelines and circulars issued by NMC and other competent authorities

Key Rules for MBBS Seat Expansion (AY 2026–27)

For the academic year 2026–27, the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) has kept in abeyance a provision of the UG Medical Education MSR, 2023.

As per the notification:

• A medical college cannot exceed 150 MBBS seats from the academic year 2025–26 onwards

• Colleges must follow the ratio of 100 MBBS seats per 10 lakh population in the respective State/Union Territory

How to Apply MBBS Seat

Applicants must follow these steps carefully:

1. Applications are accepted online only for AY 2026–27

2. Access the application portal for:

   • New medical colleges or

   • MBBS seat increase

3. New college applicants must register with an email ID and create a password

4. Existing colleges must log in using their NMC-registered email ID

5. Use the same registered credentials for all future logins

6. After login, the application form will open automatically

7. An application number is generated only after:

   • Successful submission

   • Document upload

   • Fee payment

8. The application number must be quoted in all future correspondence with NMC

9. For detailed fee structure, applicants should refer to the official website

Additional Update: NMC Clears 187 Additional PG Medical Seats

In a separate development, the NMC has approved 187 additional postgraduate (PG) medical seats after appeals reviewed by the First Appeal Committee under Section 28(5) of the NMC Act, 2019.

The list of sanctioned seats has been uploaded on the NMC website and is considered a valid document for counselling. Counselling authorities do not need to wait for Letters of Permission (LOPs) to include these seats.

PG Seats Granted – Specialty-Wise Highlights

Some of the key specialties with additional seats include:

• MD Anaesthesiology: 34 seats

• MD Pediatrics: 29 seats

• MD General Medicine: 22 seats

• MS Obstetrics & Gynaecology: 17 seats

• MS Ophthalmology: 17 seats

• MD Microbiology: 14 seats

A total of 589 PG seats are now available after the appeal committee’s decision.