NMC’s 777 Newly Approved PG Medical Seats Included in Ongoing Counselling

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has officially sanctioned 777 additional postgraduate medical seats following a rigorous appeal process for the 2025-26 academic cycle. These newly approved slots are being integrated into the ongoing NEET PG counselling rounds to maximize specialist training capacity across India. As of February 19, 2026, the updated seat matrix reflects a significant 11.33% growth in total PG availability, providing much-needed relief to thousands of medical aspirants. Candidates are advised to review the revised seat matrix on the official MCC portal to adjust their preferences for the final allotment phases.

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has significantly bolstered the national medical education landscape by approving 777 additional postgraduate (PG) medical seats. As of today, February 19, these seats have been officially integrated into the ongoing counselling process, following a detailed review by the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB). This move comes after an initial rejection phase where several institutions were flagged for infrastructure or faculty deficiencies. The inclusion of these 777 seats is a strategic step toward the government's goal of achieving parity between undergraduate and postgraduate medical training capacity in India.

The Appeal Process and Approval Metrics

The journey to the approval of these newly approved seats involved a comprehensive appellate review. Initially, the MARB had issued Letters of Disapproval (LoD) to several colleges due to missing documentation or faculty attendance issues recorded through the Aadhaar Enabled Biometric Attendance System (AEBAS).

• Institutional Verification: The Medical Assessment and Rating Board re-evaluated 125 medical colleges that successfully addressed the concerns raised in the initial inspection.
• Geographic Distribution: Karnataka received the highest share of new PG seats (1,328), followed by Uttar Pradesh (1,034) and Tamil Nadu (905) for the current academic session.
• Specialty Focus: A majority of the 777 seats are in high-demand clinical branches such as General Medicine, Radiodiagnosis, and Obstetrics & Gynaecology.

Integration into Ongoing Counselling

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has been directed to include these newly approved slots in the current seat matrix. This real-time update is crucial for candidates participating in the final and stray vacancy rounds of the ongoing counselling.

• Seat Matrix Update: The total number of PG medical seats in India has now reached a record high of 58,400 for the broad specialty category.
• Candidate Opportunity: Aspirants can now view these additional 777 seats on the official MCC portal during the choice-filling phase for the final round.
• Fairness Protocol: By including these seats during the ongoing counselling, the NMC ensures that no sanctioned training position remains vacant, reducing the waste of specialized resources.

Mandatory Compliance for Medical Colleges

While the 777 seats have been greenlit, the NMC has placed the onus of final verification on the respective medical colleges. Any discrepancy in the displayed data must be reported within a 15-day window to avoid administrative complications.

• Admission Portal Updates: Colleges are required to update student details on the NMC Admission Portal immediately upon joining.
• Infrastructure Monitoring: The ongoing counselling approval is contingent upon the institutions maintaining the standards of the Minimum Standards Requirement (MSR) and the Graduate Medical Education Regulations (GMER).

Conclusion

The addition of 777 seats into the ongoing counselling as of February 19, 2026, marks a triumph for medical aspirants and the regulatory body alike. By successfully navigating the appeal process, 125 colleges have demonstrated their commitment to meeting the rigorous standards set by the National Medical Commission. These newly approved positions not only provide a final glimmer of hope for top-ranking students but also significantly improve the doctor-population ratio in the long term. Candidates should act swiftly to adjust their choices on the official MCC website before the final locking deadline. This expansion, representing an 11.33% growth in PG capacity, ensures that the 2026 medical workforce will be better equipped with specialists to serve the growing healthcare needs of the nation.

For regular updates follow Only Education News. For more details on medical entrance exams and courses, check here: Medical Exams List.