How Many Government Seats Are There in NEET 2026?

The overall increase in the number of medical aspirants clearly indicates the importance of MBBS as a major choice of career in India. More than 20lacs+students appear in NEET exams every year with the dream of securing seats in their desired government medical college, which offers affordable education and high-quality training.

The blog will provide an in-depth analysis of the total government seats in NEET 2026 by including the distribution of seats across different states, colleges, and institutions like AIIMS

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Understanding Government Seats for NEET 2026

The total number of government seats in NEET 2026 is one of the most frequently asked questions by medical aspirants. Millions of students appear in the NEET every year, hoping to secure a place in one of the government colleges across India.

Central and state governments undercharge these seats by offering them to the candidates based on their NEET scores, reservation policies, and category-specific eligibility. The total government seats in NEET can be divided into various categories as follows-

All India Quota (AIQ) Seats

1. State Quota Seats

2. Central Universities and AIIMS Seats

3. Deemed University Seats

The above-mentioned categories have their own seat allocation system and criteria by making it crucial for NEET candidates to understand the complete structure before applying.

Importance of Knowing the Total Government Seats in NEET 2026

It is important to understand the total government seats for NEET 2026, which is necessary for setting realistic goals by planning accordingly. The government seat availability in different regions and quotas will help aspirants in identifying their overall chance to secure a seat in the targeted medical college.

Government medical colleges are the preference of the NEET aspirants because they have experienced faculty, high-quality education, minimal fee structure, and advanced-level exposure to hospitals.

You can set realistic goals for the preparation by having a clear idea of the total seat availability. Since government medical seats are limited, with an intense competition level, early planning with accurate seat data is important for aspirants to gain a strategic advantage.

Overview of Total Government Seats in NEET 2026

Trends from recent years identified that the total government seats in NEET 2026 will include a mix of both undergraduate medical and dental seats offered by various government institutions. In the NEET 2025, there are approximately 118190 government seats in NEET 2026, where these seats might increase with the establishment of new medical colleges in different states.

All India Quota (AIQ) Seats

All-India Quota comprises a notable portion of the total government seats in NEET. A total of 15% seats are reserved for government colleges across the country under AIQ, where all the seats are available for students from all states and are filled based on the national merit list. The AIQ category seats government medical colleges include prestigious institutions as follows-

• AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences): AIIMS has its own separate admission process, and while it falls under the category of government seats, it is unique in its own right.

• Central Government Colleges – Mainly includes institutions such as JIPMER, PGIMER, and others.

The number of AIQ seats in government colleges may record slight changes for NEET 2026, which clearly depends on the regular policies and the number of new medical colleges established under the circumstances of the National Medical Commission (NMC).

State Quota Seats

Indian states have their own quota, which consists of 85% of the total seats in state government colleges. In simple terms, if a government medical college in a state has 100 seats, then 85 seats should be filled by the residents of that state, based on their NEET rank and category.

State Quota Seats are different for each state. Some states may have more seats because they have a large number of medical colleges, while others may have fewer. For example, big states like Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka are expected to have more government seats in NEET, because they have a larger number of government medical colleges for NEET 2026.

AIIMS and Other Central Institutions

AIIMS is a highly prestigious institution, and its seats are considered an integral part of the total government seats in NEET. AIIMS conducts its own separate entrance exam, unlike all regular medical institutes, where the total seats is different every year. For the NEET 2026, the total number of medical seats across the country is expected to be around 2,000-2,500 across the 20 campuses. The information is based on analysing the previous year's data and trends to get admission.

The total seats in AIIMS all over India combine both postgraduate and undergraduate courses, where the majority of the seats are dedicated to the MBBS.

Deemed Universities and Central Universities

Deemed Universities do not have the direct authority to fall under the category of a government medical college, but they can offer seats with government-regulated fee structures. Some universities are affiliated with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, where they can offer some government-controlled seats within their institution.

There are some seat limitations, and sometimes the seats may be more expensive in comparison with regular government colleges. Sometimes they are often filled with the same NEET score, but they are not required to follow the reservation quotas that other regular government colleges follow.

MBBS Seat Distribution Expected for NEET 2026

The seat distribution for NEET 2026 is based on analysing the previous year's medical college seats into different categories. The detailed analysis, as per the different categories, is as follows-

Category

Expected Number of MBBS Seats (NEET 2026)

Remarks

Government Colleges

55,000 – 75,000

All Central, State, and AIQ quota seats.

Private Colleges

48,000 – 60,000

It varies in different states, which is based on infrastructure and recognition

Deemed Universities

8,000 – 12,000

Most of the institutions are self-financed institutions

AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences)

2,000+

It includes all 20 AIIMS across India.

JIPMER (Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research)

250 – 350

JIPMER are situated in Puducherry and Karaikal

Total Estimated Seats

1,13,250 – 1,49,350

Based on cumulative estimates from previous years

Common Factors Affecting Government Seat Distribution in NEET 2026

Various factors will create an impact on the total government seats in NEET 2026, where it is very important to understand these factors effectively for the candidates to improve their strategies in a better way.

Increase in the Number of Medical Colleges

India has been rapidly increasing the number of medical colleges in both public and private sectors. The government is working on expanding medical education, and this has led to a rise in government seats in NEET over the years. The total seats in NEET government colleges is likely to increase in 2026 due to the establishment of new colleges, especially in rural and underserved areas.

For NEET 2026, it is expected that the total number of medical seats is likely to increase, because the government aims to establish new medical colleges in both rural and underserved areas. It is expected that the National Medical Council (NMC) is working on adding 75,000 additional medical seats for both MBBS and Postgraduates in the next 5 years by starting this initiative in the 2025-26 academic year.

Reservation Policies

The seat allocation under the NEET program is a robust system in India, which allocates medical seats to various categories-

• Economically Weaker Sections (EWS)

• Scheduled Castes (SC)

• Scheduled Tribes (ST)

• Other Backward Classes (OBC)

The reservation system creates an impact on the total government seats in NEET for the different categories, which are applied for both state and AIQ.

Seat Distribution by State

Big states like Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal have a higher number of medical colleges, which results in more total government seats in NEET. States with less number of medical colleges have a low number of seats. The regional variations between different states might affect the actual availability of government seats in NEET for students.

Competition Level and Preparation Strategy

The increasing number of aspiring students for government seats in NEET increases the overall competition level, but it also increases the scope for students to get admission. NEET 2026 aspirants should focus on implementing the following preparation strategy-

• Deep understanding of the NEET syllabus.

• Practising mock tests and revision for improving speed and accuracy.

• Managing stress and focusing on time management.

Fee Structure:

NEET aspirants focus on government medical colleges due to their affordable education scheme and quality education. The total seats in NEET government colleges come with different fee structures, where the education fee for central institutions and AIIMS may differ, but still will be more economical in comparison with private colleges.

Counselling and Seat Allotment:

AIQ and state quota counselling have their own procedures, where a candidate’s NEET rank directly determines the overall chance of securing a seat in the government quota.

Conclusion

By analysing the seat availability in the previous years, it is projected that NEET 2026 seats may range between 1,13,000 and 1,50,000. This includes approximately 55,000 to 75,000 seats in government colleges, 2,000+ seats in AIIMS, and 250–350 seats in JIPMER. Good news for NEET 2026 aspirants is that, government is focusing on increasing 75,000 new seats in the next 5 years, which might increase some seats in the year 2026.

NEET 2026 aspirants should stay informed regarding the seat quotas, such as state, AIQ, and other central institutions, by considering updated regional seat variations, reservation policies, and overall competition level for effective preparation planning.

FAQ

Can I take admission in MBBS without clearing the NEET exam?

No, it is compulsory in India to clear the NEET entrance exam to get admission in MBBS. Some foreign universities abroad offer admissions in the MBBS without NEET, but if you want to practice as a doctor in India after studying MBBS from foreign universities, then you should clear the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) exam.

How can I increase my overall chances of securing a government seat in NEET 2026?

You should focus on implementing a structured preparation strategy by covering the NEET syllabus, managing stress, mock test practice, and always staying updated regarding reservation policies and seat availability.

How many total government seats are expected in NEET 2026?

The total number of seats in NEET 2026 will be based on various factors such as state and country-specific data, seat expansion, and new medical college approvals. It is projected that the expected range may be between 1,13,000 and 1,50,000 by including both undergraduate medical and dental seats in government institutions.

What are the different college categories for government seats in NEET 2026?

The government seats in NEET 2026 are divided into four major categories, which have been as follows-

• All India Quota (AIQ).

• State Quota.

• AIIMS.

• Deemed universities

• other central institutions.

What is the All India Quota (AIQ) for NEET 2026?

The AIQ seats category consists of 15% of the total government seats for NEET 2026. The seats are for students from different states and are filled on the basis of the national merit list.

How many seats in AIIMS are expected for NEET 2026?

It depends on the specific year situations, but AIIMS is expected to offer 2000 to 2500 medical seats for NEET 2026 for MBBS.

What is the seat allocation under the State Quota for NEET 2026?

Apart from the 15% category, 85% is allocated for state quota government seats in medical colleges. The seats are filled by state residents, which is based on their overall NEET rank.

How are deemed university seats managed in NEET 2026?

Deemed universities give admission on self-financed medical seats with government-regulated fee structures. These seats are not directly regulated by the government, but may follow a similar process of admission.

Will the number of government medical seats increase in NEET 2026?

Yes, the government is expected to increase seats by adding new medical colleges, especially in underserved areas.

How do reservation policies affect government seats in NEET 2026?

Reservation policies for NEET 2026 allocate seats for different categories such as EWS, SC, ST, and OBC. It creates a direct impact on overall seat availability under both state and AIQ quotas.

Which states are expected to have more government seats in NEET 2026?

States with a large number of medical colleges are likely to have more government seats due to a larger number of medical colleges. For example, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and many more.

What is the fee structure for government medical colleges in NEET 2026?

Government medical colleges offer an affordable fee structure in comparison with private colleges. There are some variations in between AIIMS, central, and state institutions fee structure.

How does competition create an impact on government seats in NEET 2026?

The increasing number of aspirants increases the competition for government seats; however, a deep analysis of seat quotas, reservation policies, and state seat variation helps in improving the understanding.

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