NMC removes 100 MBBS seats cap, introduces Rs 2 lakh one-time registration fee for intake increase applications, Details
New Delhi: The Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) of the National Medical Commission (NMC) has now removed the cap earlier imposed on medical colleges regarding the increase of MBBS seats.
In December 2025, NMC, while inviting applications for setting up new medical colleges intending to start MBBS courses, or for an increase in UG seats intake capacity, had clarified that "An applicant can apply for increase in intake of maximum of 100 seats at a time."
However, on Tuesday, the Apex Medical Commission's Medical Assessment and Rating Board issued an addendum and the concerned direction regarding the cap on MBBS seat increase is "to be read as deleted" in view of the fact that the the provision of an upper limit of 150 seats for the MBBS course per medical college has been kept in abeyance for another academic year by the National Medical Commission (NMC).
Apart from this, in the addendum, the Commission has also clarified that valid Essentiality Certificates in the old format will also be accepted for the academic year 2026-2027. It also added that the medical colleges will have to submit an undertaking regarding earmarking a corpus fund after being granted Letter of Permission (LoP).
The Commission has also clarified that registration fee is separate from application fee and the applicants need to complete the registration process by paying the registration fee along with GST @18%. NMC has also modified the format of the consent of affiliation.
Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that on 22.12.2025, the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) of the National Medical Commission (NMC) had invited online applications for the establishment of new medical colleges intending to start MBBS courses and for an increase in the intake of UG seats in the existing Medical Colleges through the web portal for the Academic year 2026-27.
The President of NMC MARB, Dr. M K Ramesh issued an addendum to the public notice dated 22.12.2025 and mentioned, "This addendum is being issued to clarify the following points w.r.t. the Public Notice No.M-19011/11/2023-MARB/NMC(e-8244596) dated 22-12-2025 circulated for seeking online application for Establishment of New Medical Colleges intending to start Under Gradueate(UG) Course and for increase in intake of UG seats in the established Medical Colleges for AY:2026-27..."
In the addendum, the Commission has clarified the following points:
1. Point 5.1 (g): Essentiality Certificate (Reference Annexure C: Format of Essentiality Certificate): The Medical Colleges/applicants which already have a valid Essentiality Certificate (as per Regulation 9 of Establishment of Medical Institutions, Assessment & Rating Regulations, 2023) in the old format (as attached herewith in this Addendum as Annexure-1), is also acceptable for AY:2026-27.
2. Point 5.1 (f) and Point 5.2 (f):Consent of Affiliation (CoA) [Reference Annexure B: Format of Consent of Affiliation] “academic year 2025-26” to be read as “academic year _________”.Modified format is attached herewith in this Addendum as Annexure-2.
3. Point 5.1 (t): Undertaking regarding earmarking a corpus fundto be submitted once the college are granted Letter of Permission (LoP).
4. Fee: [Reference Annenure D]: Anon-refundable one time ‘Registration” fee for each applicants intending to submit application for UG Courese (viz. Estt. of new MBBS College / increase in intake in existing medical colleges) has been introduced. Registration fee is Rupees two lakhs plus GST@18%. Applicants need to complete the registration process by submitting fee and proceed further for application submitting process. Registration fee is separate from the Application Fee.
5. Important Instructions (Point no.4) at page 8 of the Public Notice: “An applicant can apply for increase in intake of maximum of 100 seats at a time.” to be read as deleted in view of the point 4 at page 2 of the notice.
Along with the notice, MARB also provided the modified format of the essentiality certificate and consent of affiliation.
Referring to the MARB's addendum, NMC secretary, Dr. Raghav Langer, wrote to the directors/principals/deans of all medical colleges/institutes under NMC, and the applicants willing to apply for establishment of new medical college with MBBS course.
"Please find enclosed herewith an Addendum to Public Notice of even number dated 22-12-2025 on the above subject matter as issued by Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) of National Medical Commission vide its communication dated 06-01-2026 , being self explanatory and duly clarifying further. All the concerned Institutions / applicants are requested to take note of the same," the Apex Medical Commission mentioned in the communication.
To view the notice, click on the link below:
