NEET 2025: NMC Approves 7,006 New MBBS Seats, 1,056 Remain Withheld

Introduction

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has increased the number of medical seats and also distributed the seat matrix for the academic year 2025-26. In 2025, NMC introduced 7,006 medical seats in government and private colleges, and the total number has gone up by 1,24,756. Several government and private medical colleges that couldn’t meet the standards laid by NMC had their approved seats kept pending. As a result,  as many as 1,056 medical seats were put on hold due to discrepancies, leaving 1,23700 medical seats for NEET 2025 admissions. 

NEET UG 2025-26 Expands by 7006 Medical Seats: Long-term Trend 

The number of students applying for the NEET examination is 20 lakh this year, and the demand for medical education is on the rise. 

In 2025, NMC added 7,006 medical seats, and the total number of seats rose to 1,24,756. The acquired statistical data reveal that the number of medical seats has increased by 137% since 2013.  Earlier, there were 52,110 medical seats, and by 2016, the number had risen to 59,812. Statistically, in 2019, the highest number of raises in medical seat additions was 12,297, and the next highest raise was 11,652 medical seats in 2022.  

Distribution of New Medical Seats in Private & Govt Colleges in NEET 2025

The total number of medical seats in 2025 is 7006. Of those, two-thirds of the medical seats, which aggregate to 4,680, have been issued to private colleges. The medical seats are divided into 1,600 assigned to new private colleges, while 3080 medical seats are added to 53 existing medical colleges. 

Due to non-renewals and seat cuts, 1,052 seats were blocked, and 800 seats that are allotted to five private colleges were not renewed. In addition, 252 medical seats were reduced in five medical colleges. 

 Medical Seat Expansion in Government College:

At various levels, 2,326 medical seats were added in government colleges, and the seat distribution can be illustrated as follows.  1200 medical seats were allotted to 18 new government colleges, 970 seats were added to 23 state-level colleges, and 156 seats were listed for 4 central institutes. These institutes are AIIMS Jodhpur, AIIMS Vijaypur, AIIMS Guwahati, and JIPMER Pondicherry. Although four seats were approved last year, they are on hold due to approval issues this year. 

Current medical Seat Availability Status ( active vs. withheld seats). 

The total number of medical seats for the academic year 2025-26 is 1,24,756, against the seats on hold to be 1,056 due to renewal or legal issues. The statistics reveal that the ratio between the government and the private MBBS seats is reducing significantly each year. 

Graphical Representation of Increase in Medical Seats in NEET 2025

The tabular column shows the 2024 seats, current active, and the seats withheld if added. As of now, the current active seats opened for NEET admission are 1,23,700, and withheld seats after addition will be 1,24,756. The graph describes the division of seats between government and private colleges, which is expressed in numbers and percentages. 

Conclusion

There is a considerable increase in medical seats through NEET exam allotment year after year, which shows the increase is a sign of growing competition in the examination. Almost 20 lakh NEET aspirants take the NEET exam, and hardly 1.24 lakh can seek admission into medical colleges. Private medical institutions are actively participating in the healthcare sector, and the gap between the government and private seat allotments is narrowing significantly.