Chennai: Tamil Nadu has secured 950 additional MBBS seats for the 2026-27 academic session following the National Medical Commission's (NMC) approval of 9,911 new undergraduate medical seats across the country, taking the State's total MBBS intake to 13,999.

The NMC has approved a total of 1,36,939 MBBS seats across 823 government and private medical colleges nationwide after permitting new colleges and enhanced intake at existing institutions.

Of the 950 additional seats allotted to Tamil Nadu, 150 have been sanctioned for three government medical colleges. Government Medical Colleges at Tiruvallur, Tiruppur and Namakkal have each been permitted to increase their intake by 50 seats.

The Commission has also granted permission to the newly established APS Medical College and Research Institute at Mevalurkuppam in Kancheepuram district to admit its first batch of 150 MBBS students.

In addition, several private medical colleges in the State have been allowed to increase their intake, resulting in 800 more MBBS seats in the private sector.

With the latest approvals, Tamil Nadu's 37 government medical colleges now have a combined intake of 5,349 MBBS seats, while 41 private medical colleges account for 8,650 seats.

Overall, the State now offers 13,999 MBBS seats across 78 government and private medical colleges, reinforcing its position as one of the leading contributors to medical education in the country.

State Health Minister Arunraj said the increase reflected the government's sustained efforts to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, enhance faculty strength and upgrade medical education facilities. He said timely submission of compliance documents and continued investment in medical education had enabled Tamil Nadu to secure one of the highest increases in MBBS seats among the states.