NMC Approves 450 Additional PG Medical Seats for Academic Year 2025–26

In a major boost to postgraduate medical education in India, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has approved 450 additional postgraduate (PG) medical seats for the 2025–26 academic year. The approvals follow reviews conducted by the Medical Assessment and Rating Board after appeals from medical colleges under the NMC Act, 2019.

The National Medical Commission expands postgraduate medical education by approving 450 additional PG seats for 2025–26.

What This Means for Medical Aspirants

The increase in PG medical seats aims to address the growing demand for specialist doctors across the country. By expanding seat availability in multiple medical disciplines, the decision is expected to provide greater opportunities for MBBS graduates and ease competition during the NEET-PG counselling process.

Specialties Covered

The newly approved PG seats cover a wide range of high-demand specialties, including:

• General Medicine

• General Surgery

• Radiodiagnosis

• Obstetrics and Gynaecology

• Paediatrics

• Orthopaedics

• Psychiatry

• Anaesthesiology

• Emergency Medicine

• Dermatology

Medical colleges across more than 20 states and Union Territories have received approvals, helping to strengthen postgraduate training capacity nationwide.

Impact on NEET-PG Counselling

To ensure timely admissions, the NMC has instructed counselling authorities not to delay the inclusion of newly approved seats while waiting for individual Letters of Permission from colleges. Instead, the approved seat list will be considered valid for counselling, allowing aspirants to access these additional seats without delay.

This move is expected to streamline the counselling process and prevent bottlenecks during seat allocation.

Why This Decision Matters

India continues to face a shortage of specialised medical professionals, especially in critical and clinical disciplines. Expanding PG medical seats is a crucial step toward improving healthcare delivery and building a stronger medical workforce.

For aspiring specialists, the increase in seats means better chances of securing a PG seat and pursuing advanced medical training within the country.

What Lies Ahead

While 450 additional PG seats have been approved so far, further reviews are ongoing, and more seats may be added as institutions meet regulatory requirements. Aspirants are advised to stay updated with counselling notifications and revised seat matrices during the NEET-PG admission process.

Final Thoughts

The approval of additional PG medical seats for the 2025–26 academic year reflects a positive shift in medical education policy. It not only benefits aspiring doctors but also supports India’s long-term healthcare needs by increasing the number of trained specialists.