The National Medical Commission (NMC) has announced that the country is expected to witness a cumulative increase of nearly 8,000 undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) medical seats in the current academic year. According to NMC chief Dr. Abhijat Sheth, inspections and assessments of medical colleges are actively underway, and priority has been given to the completion of the evaluation process for UG medical seats.
This announcement comes at a crucial time when NEET UG 2025 counselling is already in progress. The first round of NEET UG counselling has been completed, and the second round is scheduled to begin by August 25, 2025. The increase in seats is expected to provide much-needed relief for thousands of aspirants seeking admission into medical colleges this year.
Concerns Over Seat Reductions Following CBI Probe
Earlier this year, concerns were raised regarding a potential reduction in the number of medical seats in India after the CBI uncovered a corruption network involving Union Health Ministry officials, NMC representatives, intermediaries, and private medical colleges. The investigation revealed alleged manipulation of regulatory frameworks governing medical colleges, putting the credibility of the seat-allotment process under scrutiny.
In July 2025, the CBI filed an FIR naming 34 individuals, including eight Health Ministry officials, a National Health Authority official, and five doctors from the NMC inspection team. Following the probe, the NMC temporarily halted the process of approving new courses and additional seats in medical institutions, sparking apprehension among NEET aspirants and parents.
NMC Resumes Assessment of Medical Colleges
In an interview with PTI, Dr. Sheth emphasized that the NMC has resumed inspections to ensure timely seat approvals. He stated:
“Along with my appointment, the president of the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) also has been appointed. We have taken up completion of inspection of UG medical seats on a priority basis and the assessments are under progress.”
Dr. Sheth further highlighted that the expected increase of nearly 8,000 seats (UG and PG combined) is based on the number of applications received for the academic year. This boost is set to strengthen the country’s medical education capacity, helping bridge the gap between demand and availability of seats.
Impact on NEET UG 2025 Aspirants
The increase in UG and PG medical seats will benefit thousands of NEET UG and NEET PG aspirants who compete for limited opportunities every year. With over 20 lakh candidates appearing for NEET UG 2025, the addition of seats across government and private colleges will significantly improve chances of admission for meritorious students.
The timely seat expansion also comes as reassurance for students worried about the fallout of the CBI probe into medical seat allocation. While transparency and regulatory reforms remain a key focus, the NMC’s move to fast-track inspections ensures that aspirants are not disadvantaged in the admission process.
The confirmation of an 8,000-seat increase in medical colleges across India is a major development for NEET UG 2025 counselling and medical admissions this year. With inspections being prioritized by the NMC and the second round of NEET UG counselling beginning on August 25, 2025, students can expect more opportunities to secure seats in MBBS and postgraduate medical programs.
