NEET PG 2026 seat matrix released with 58,000 MD/MS seats; PwD portal opens October 1

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) and the National Medical Commission (NMC) have released the official seat matrix for NEET PG 2026 counselling. This announcement coincides with the opening of the Round 1 registration portal for candidates with disabilities (PwD) on October 1, 2026, accessible via the official MCC website, mcc.nic.in.

The total number of available seats for NEET PG 2026 has increased to 58,000, marking an 11% rise from the 52,173 seats offered in the previous year. This expansion adds approximately 5,800 postgraduate training positions for MBBS graduates seeking MD, MS, or DNB qualifications, reflecting efforts to accommodate the growing demand for medical specialisation.

NEET PG 2026 Seat Matrix Expansion

The 2026–27 academic year will see a total of 58,000 MD/MS/DNB seats available, an 11% increase compared to the 52,173 seats in the previous cycle. This growth includes a 32% increase in available seats within private and deemed universities, while government medical colleges have expanded by 10%.

The seat matrix indicates particular growth in specialities such as anaesthesia, ophthalmology, ENT, pathology, psychiatry, and respiratory medicine. This expansion across various branches suggests workforce planning decisions by the NMC and state health authorities to address specific medical needs.

PWD Candidate Counselling Schedule and Process

The MCC will open the Round 1 registration portal specifically for candidates with disabilities (PwD) on October 1, 2026. PwD candidates can log in and begin the choice-filling process through mcc.nic.in. A prerequisite for seat allotment for these candidates is a medical assessment.

The primary medical assessment board for PwD candidates will operate from October 1 at 5 PM through October 9, 2026. An Appellate Medical Assessment Board for PwD candidates will be available from October 5 at 10 AM through October 12 at 5 PM. This separate, earlier window is designed to provide adequate time and support for PwD candidates to complete their medical assessment and counselling procedures.

Exam Information and Eligibility Criteria

The National Board of Examinations for Medical Sciences (NBEMS) is scheduled to release detailed exam information on or after October 1, 2026. This information, available on natboard.edu.in, will include question ID numbers, correct answers, recorded responses, and scores awarded for each question, allowing candidates to download their individual scorecard and the complete answer key.

The NEET PG 2026 exam was conducted on August 30, 2026, with results expected by September 30. To be eligible for NEET PG 2026 counselling, candidates must qualify the exam, possess a valid MBBS degree, complete their one-year rotatory internship on or before the cutoff date of September 30, 2026, and be registered with the NMC or a State Medical Council.

Counselling Rounds and State-Specific Details

The MCC conducts four rounds of counselling for the All-India Quota (AIQ): Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, and an Online Stray Vacancy Round. Fifty percent of NEET PG seats fall under the state quota, with admissions carried out by respective state-level authorities. States such as Kerala, Karnataka, and Maharashtra have begun updating their mandatory bond policies, rural service durations, and penalty structures for the 2026 academic cycle.

For Uttar Pradesh, the NEET PG Counselling 2026 registration fee is ₹3,000, which is a one-time, non-refundable fee covering Rounds 1–3. Security fees vary based on college type. The Directorate General of Medical Education & Training (DGME), Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow, oversees the state-level counselling process.

Further reading

• NEET PG 2026: PwD candidates, apply for Round 1 from October 1
• NEET PG 2026 cut-off released: qualifying marks drop across categories
• NEET PG cutoff: previous closing ranks and marks Next step
• INI CET July 2026 session online seat allocation schedule released
• FMGE October 2026 application correction link active: edit forms by September 30
• NEET UG 2026: Uttarakhand opens Round 3 NRI quota MBBS registration until 5 October Applications open

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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