The National Medical Commission (NMC) has released the tentative super-speciality seat matrix for the academic year 2025-26 through a recent notice issued by the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB).
According to the commission, a total of 4,630 seats are available across DM (Doctorate of Medicine) and MCh (Master of Chirurgiae) courses in medical colleges and institutions across the country. Out of these, 557 seats have been newly approved for the academic year 2025-26.
The notice directs all medical colleges and institutions to verify the seat details listed against their institutions and report any discrepancies to MARB within 15 days of the notice along with supporting documents.
Verification of Seat Details Mandatory for Institutions
In the notice issued on March 12, 2026, MARB stated that the seat list includes all super-speciality postgraduate seats available as of February 27, 2026, including those approved on or before that date.
Medical colleges have been asked to carefully verify the data and inform MARB if any inconsistencies are found.
The notice stated that failure to report discrepancies within the stipulated period may affect the updating of student details on the NMC Admission Portal by the respective institutions.
Seat Matrix Valid for Counselling Process
MARB further clarified that Letters of Permission (LOPs) for sanctioned postgraduate seats for AY 2025-26 are currently being issued. However, counselling authorities do not need to wait for the LOPs from institutions.
The commission stated that the seat matrix uploaded on the NMC website will be treated as a valid document for the counselling process.
In a related communication, the NMC Secretary addressed the Directors, Deans, and Principals of all medical colleges and institutions, asking them to review the public notice and ensure verification of seat data within the stipulated timeframe.
State-wise Super-Speciality Seat Distribution
The state-wise data released by NMC shows that 4,630 DM and MCh seats are available across states and Union Territories.
Tamil Nadu has the highest number of seats with 743, followed by Karnataka with 561, Maharashtra with 446, and Uttar Pradesh with 398 seats.
Other states with significant seat numbers include:
- Rajasthan – 380 seats
- Telangana – 274 seats
- Kerala – 266 seats
- Andhra Pradesh – 232 seats
- West Bengal – 221 seats
- Delhi – 213 seats
- Odisha – 190 seats
Among smaller allocations, Meghalaya has 4 seats, Manipur 7 seats, Chandigarh 7 seats, and Puducherry 6 seats.
Speciality-wise Seat Highlights
The speciality-wise matrix indicates that several clinical disciplines continue to have a high number of seats.
DM Cardiology leads with 574 seats, making it the largest super-speciality program in the country. Other major courses include:
- MCh Urology / Genito-Urinary Surgery – 419 seats
- MCh Neurosurgery – 418 seats
- DM Neurology – 376 seats
- MCh Plastic Surgery / Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery – 330 seats
- DM Nephrology – 282 seats
- DM Medical Gastroenterology – 248 seats
- MCh Pediatric Surgery – 224 seats
- MCh Thoracic / Cardiothoracic Surgery – 222 seats
- MCh Surgical Oncology – 220 seats
Other important specialities include DM Medical Oncology (178 seats), DM Neonatology (114 seats), DM Endocrinology (100 seats), and DM Critical Care Medicine (137 seats).
Counselling to Follow Based on Final Matrix
With the tentative matrix now published, the data will form the basis for super-speciality counselling for AY 2025-26 once verification by institutions is completed.
The NMC has urged all medical colleges to promptly confirm their seat details to ensure smooth processing of admissions and accurate updating of records on the commission’s admission portal.
