The National Medical Commission (NMC) has approved a significant increase of 5,794 MBBS seats across India for the 2025-26 academic year. Among all states, Karnataka’s medical colleges have secured the largest portion of these new seats, marking a significant boost for the state.
Out of the 808 medical colleges nationwide receiving additional seats this year, 16 institutions in Karnataka alone accounted for 900 new admissions. The remaining 4,894 seats were distributed among 790 medical colleges in other parts of the country.
Specifically, Mysuru’s newly established Farookh Academy of Medical Education Hospital and Research Institution received 100 of these additional seats. Furthermore, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMC) under the KLE Society in Belagavi was allocated 200 seats, which had previously been held back due to a bribery investigation.
Consequently, the total number of medical seats available in Karnataka’s 72 medical colleges has now risen to an impressive 13,595. This is a substantial jump from last year’s figure of 12,395 seats across 71 colleges.
With the UGNEET-2025 medical counselling process nearing its conclusion, preparations are actively underway for the final mop-up round of seat allocation.
Initially, the State Government had proposed an increase of 850 medical seats to the NMC. This included requests for 50 additional seats in each of 13 government medical colleges, and 100 additional seats in two other government institutions.
Moreover, a separate request was made for 250 seats to be allocated to two prospective new government medical colleges slated for establishment in Ramanagara and Kanakapura, within Bengaluru South district.
Private institutions also sought expansion, with deemed university colleges such as Jagadguru Gangadhar Mahaswamigalu Moorusavirmath Medical College (JGMMMC) in Hubballi and Sri Siddhartha Medical College in Tumakuru, each requesting an increase of 50 seats from the NMC.
However, the NMC had initially rejected all proposals for seat enhancements from state medical colleges in May, citing concerns over inadequate infrastructure, faculty shortages, and other deficiencies.
National Push for 75,000 Additional Medical Seats
This significant increase aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day announcement on August 15, 2024. He had pledged to sanction 75,000 medical seats nationwide by 2029, a move aimed at empowering aspiring doctors and substantially boosting India’s healthcare infrastructure. The Union Cabinet recently endorsed this ambitious decision.
Earlier, Abhijat Chandrakant Sheth, the newly appointed Chairman of the NMC, had indicated an overall increase of 8,000 medical seats across the country. In line with this, by the conclusion of the second round of NEET counselling, 5,794 additional seats were officially sanctioned, with Karnataka receiving a substantial 900 of these.
Joy Among Students and Parents
The increased availability of seats has brought immense relief and happiness. A student from Bengaluru, who had initially secured a dental seat but yearned for a medical degree, shared their joy: “I had almost given up my dream of studying medicine after the first round. But thanks to the additional seats in the second round of counselling, I finally secured an MBBS seat.”
B.L. Sujatha Rathod, Director of the Directorate of Medical Education, expressed satisfaction, stating, “The NMC, which initially rejected our request for medical seat enhancement, has now approved 900 additional seats in the second round of counselling, directly benefiting our state’s students. Karnataka’s medical colleges boast excellent basic facilities, robust clinical practice, and a strong teaching system compared to other states.” She also hinted at further increases, adding, “There is a strong possibility that Karnataka will receive even more additional seats next year, as all college requests for expansion will be consolidated and resubmitted to the NMC.”