NEET PG Total Seats in India is an important factor for medical graduates planning postgraduate studies. NEET PG is the national entrance exam for doctors who want to pursue MD, MS, or PG Diploma courses. Every year, many students appear for the exam, but seats are limited. These seats are available in both government and private medical colleges across India. Knowing the NEET PG total seats in India helps students assess competition, set realistic goals, and plan their preparation in a better and more focused way.
NEET PG Seats Allocation Process
The NEET PG seats allocation process is the method through which postgraduate medical seats in India are assigned to eligible candidates. After the NEET PG exam results are declared, candidates are ranked based on their scores. The higher the rank, the better the chances of getting preferred courses and colleges. The process is conducted in rounds, where candidates fill in their choices of colleges and specialties.
Seats are allotted using a counseling system that considers merit, reservation criteria, and availability of seats. Candidates must confirm their seats within the given time, or they risk losing the opportunity. This makes sure a fair and organized distribution of PG medical seats.
NEET PG Seats State-wise list
India’s NEET PG seat count has climbed to over 73,000 for the 2025-26 session, a welcome relief for those navigating the world of medical specializations. If you’re hunting for a spot, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu remain the “heavy hitters” with the largest share of seats. While the grind is undeniably real, the steady growth of institutions in states like Uttar Pradesh and Delhi is finally providing more breathing room for specialist hopefuls across the country.
These seats are typically split between government and private colleges, with 50% of government slots dedicated to the All India Quota (AIQ) and the rest reserved for state-specific counseling. Because the “final” seat matrix can actually shift during the counseling rounds due to new approvals or withdrawals, it is important to keep the official MCC and NMC portals on your radar.
Total NEET PG Seats in India 2026: Private
- Total Private Seat Count: As of early 2026, the total number of private NEET PG seats (MD/MS/Diploma) in India is approximately 27,907. This includes seats in private medical colleges and Deemed Universities.
- Top States for Private Seats: If you are looking for the highest number of options, Karnataka leads the way with over 5,500 private seats. Other major hubs include Tamil Nadu (~3,200), Maharashtra (~2,986), and Uttar Pradesh (~2,877).
- Deemed vs. Private Colleges: It is important to distinguish between the two. Deemed Universities generally have their own fee structures and are counselled centrally by the MCC, while private colleges are generally part of state-level counseling.
- Clinical vs. Non-Clinical Distribution: While clinical branches like Radio-Diagnosis and General Medicine remain the most sought after, the NMC has recently approved thousands of new seats across broad specialties to meet the rising demand for specialists.
- Steady Growth Trend: Compared to a decade ago, private PG seats have nearly doubled. This growth is largely due to the government’s push to convert private hospitals into teaching institutes and the expansion of existing colleges.
- Counseling and Quotas: Remember that private seats are generally divided into Management Quota and State Quota. Even in private colleges, a portion of seats might be reserved for state domiciles at a slightly lower fee.
Total NEET PG Seats in India 2026: Government
For the 2026 academic session, India provides approximately 33,416 government NEET PG seats, reflecting a push to strengthen public healthcare. These seats, spread across AIIMS, central universities, and state-run colleges, are the gold standard for aspirants due to their minimal fees and immense clinical training. This growth ensures that more merit-driven doctors can start specializations without the heavy financial burden of the private sector.
Competition remains intense, as these seats are split 50/50 between the All India Quota and State Quota. Leading the way are states like Maharashtra, Delhi, and Tamil Nadu, which consistently provide the highest number of government opportunities. These institutions are for their patient inflow, providing the critical practical training needed to become a skilled specialist.
Government vs Private vs Deemed NEET PG Seats
Government seats are the “gold standard” because they are highly affordable—generally costing less than ₹1 lakh per year—and provide massive clinical training due to high patient inflow. Also, they are incredibly competitive and often require a mandatory service bond. Private medical colleges offer a more accessible path if you miss out on a top rank, providing solid training but with a much higher price tag, often ranging from ₹15 to 30 lakhs annually.
Deemed universities are independent institutions that generally have the highest fees but boast state-of-the-art infrastructure and a simplified centralized counseling process. While they provide facilities and no state-domicile restrictions, the financial commitment is significant. Ultimately, your choice will depend on balancing your All India Rank (AIR) against your budget and long-term career goals.
FAQ’s
Ans- As of the latest NEET PG 2025 seat matrix, India has about 52,173 postgraduate medical seats approved (MD/MS/Diploma) for counselling and admissions.
Ans- Yes — special quotas in NEET medical admissions include SC, ST, OBC‑NCL, EWS, and horizontal PwD reservations, plus management, NRI and institutional quotas.
Ans- Visit the official NEET PG seat matrix on the National Medical Commission (NMC) or Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) websites, where institution‑wise and specialty‑wise PG seat lists are published in PDF before each counselling round.
Ans- Yes — reserved categories (SC, ST, OBC, PwBD) are included in the total seat count, allocated as per government rules.
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Conclusion
In 2026, India provided over 73,000 NEET PG seats, split between government (≈33,416) and private (≈27,907) colleges, including deemed universities. Government seats are sought for their low fees and strong clinical training, while private and deemed colleges provide more options but at higher costs. Seats are allocated through merit-based counseling, considering quotas and state preferences. With growing opportunities across states, aspirants can plan strategically, balancing rank, specialty choice, and financial capacity to secure the best path for their postgraduate medical career.