The National Medical Commission (NMC) has invited applications for the establishment of new medical colleges and expansion of MBBS seats in existing institutions for the academic year 2026-27. The official notice was issued by the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB), a statutory body under the NMC, and is dated December 21, 2025.

This initiative is aimed at increasing the availability of MBBS seats in India, addressing the growing demand for medical education, and strengthening healthcare infrastructure across states and Union Territories. Eligible institutions are required to submit their applications online through the NMC portal within the prescribed timeline.
The invitation covers two categories:
Both government and private medical institutions are eligible to apply, provided they meet the Minimum Standard Requirements (MSR) and other regulatory norms laid down by the NMC.
For the 2026-27 academic session, the NMC has allowed temporary flexibility in MBBS intake limits, enabling institutions to apply for higher seat capacities than previously permitted. This one-time relaxation is intended to help bridge the shortage of doctors while maintaining quality standards in medical education.
A key highlight of the notice is the introduction of a new application and processing fee structure, applicable to both new colleges and seat expansion proposals.
This revised structure aims to bring transparency and uniformity in the approval process.
Institutions proposing new medical colleges are required to submit a security deposit in the form of an electronic bank guarantee, valid for a fixed period. The amount varies according to the number of seats proposed.
Colleges seeking seat expansion must furnish additional bank guarantees proportionate to the increase in intake. Government colleges may submit official undertakings instead of bank guarantees, as per NMC guidelines.
Applicants must upload complete documentation, including:
Incomplete or incorrect applications are liable to be rejected.
The MARB will conduct physical, virtual, or hybrid inspections to assess compliance with norms related to faculty strength, hospital facilities, infrastructure, and academic resources. Final approvals will be granted only after successful evaluation.
This move by the NMC reflects the government's broader objective of expanding medical education capacity while ensuring quality, accountability, and regulatory oversight for the upcoming academic year.