The National Medical Commission (NMC) has officially opened the application window for institutions to establish new medical colleges and expand MBBS seats at existing colleges for the 2026-27 academic session. This is a significant development in India’s medical education landscape — aimed at increasing medical training capacity and addressing the ongoing shortage of doctors across the country
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Application Window and Procedures
According to the latest public notice issued by the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) of the NMC, the online application portal will be open from December 29, 2025, to January 28, 2026 for institutions seeking approval to start new MBBS programs or to increase undergraduate intake. All applications must be submitted via the official NMC portal before the deadline; offline submissions will not be accepted.
Both government and private institutions can apply, provided they meet the regulatory norms and Minimum Standard Requirements (MSR) laid down by the NMC. Existing colleges aiming to increase their MBBS seat intake must comply with updated documentation and regulatory checks as part of the approval process.
Temporary Relaxation in Seat Cap Norms
For the 2026-27 academic year, the NMC has introduced a temporary relaxation of the usual seat cap norms. Traditionally, medical colleges were restricted from exceeding 150 MBBS seats overall, and intake limits were partly tied to state population ratios under the MSR guidelines. However, this provision has been kept in abeyance for the upcoming session to help institutions expand intake more flexibly and quickly.
Officials have indicated that this leniency is especially important amid continued concerns about healthcare personnel shortages, ensuring that India can sustain its ambitious targets for MBBS seat expansion without sacrificing quality.
Revised Application and Processing Fees
The NMC has also rolled out a revised fee structure for both new medical college applications and MBBS seat expansion requests. For the first time, application and processing fees have been differentiated for government and private institutions:
Private colleges desiring to establish a new medical college:
50 seats: ₹7.5 lakh + 18% GST
100 seats: ₹15 lakh + 18% GST
150 seats: ₹22.5 lakh + 18% GST
Government colleges:
50 seats: ₹6.25 lakh + 18% GST
100 seats: ₹12.5 lakh + 18% GST
150 seats: ₹18.75 lakh + 18% GST
Additionally, fees for seat expansion have been introduced for the first time. Private colleges must pay ₹7.5 lakh (plus GST) for every additional block of 50 seats sought, while government colleges are charged ₹6.25 lakh (plus GST) for similar expansions. A non-refundable registration fee of ₹2 lakh is also required per application.
This revised fee framework, which represents a departure from the previous uniform fee model, aims to improve transparency and accountability in the medical college approval process.
Security Deposit and Bank Guarantee Requirements
To ensure long-term compliance and institutional credibility, the NMC has mandated that applicants furnish security deposits or bank guarantees based on their proposed seat capacity:
For establishment of a new medical college:
50 seats: ₹15 crore
100 seats: ₹20 crore
150 seats: ₹25 crore
These bank guarantees must remain valid for six years. For existing colleges applying to increase intake, an additional bank guarantee of ₹5 crore is required for every added 50 seats. Government colleges may, alternatively, provide an official undertaking in lieu of a bank guarantee as per NMC guidelines.
Documentation and Inspection Process
The application process requires extensive documentation. Institutions must submit:
Consent of Affiliation (CoA) from a recognized university
Essentiality Certificate (EC) issued by the state government
Proof of land ownership or long-term lease (minimum 30 years)
Details of the associated teaching hospital including bed strength, occupancy, and clinical facilities
Audited financial statements demonstrating financial capacity
Disclosure of any other medical institutions operated by the applicant or managing trust
Applications lacking valid CoA or EC at the time of submission will be rejected without further notice.
Once submitted, applications undergo evaluation by the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB), which may conduct physical, virtual, or hybrid inspections of facilities and infrastructure as needed. Verification may include biometric attendance checks, hospital data reviews, and even live video feeds to ensure compliance.
Why This Matters
This move by the NMC comes at a crucial time when India is striving to boost the number of healthcare professionalsand strengthen medical education infrastructure nationwide. Expanding MBBS seats and supporting the establishment of new medical colleges will help meet the growing demand for trained doctors and support improved access to quality healthcare services.
Looking Ahead
The application window for proposals remains open until January 28, 2026. All prospective institutions should prepare complete documentation and ensure that they meet the Minimum Standard Requirements before applying. Successful approvals after inspection and compliance checks will contribute to a larger pool of MBBS seats and medical colleges by 2026-27, offering more opportunities for students aspiring to enter the medical profession.
