NEET PG 2025-26: Over 18,000 Seats Vacant After Round 2; Maharashtra, Karnataka & Tamil Nadu Top the List

According to a latest report by The Hindu, 3 states have topped the list in the number of the highest vacant NEET PG seats. These states are Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. According to the data shared by MCC, the highest vacant NEET PG seats for the NEET PG 2025-26 academic session are in these states. The numbers are staggering because MCC NEET PG counselling Round 2 counselling has already concluded, and only 2 subsequent rounds are left to fill these seats. 

Data released by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) shows that in this year, 2025-26, 8416 NEET PG seats were added. This brought the total number of medical seats to around 58,331. In 2024-25, this number was 49,915 PG medical seats. The number of NEET PG seats increased by approximately 16.9% from 2024-25 to 2025-26.

As per the revised NEET PG seat data, MCC Releases NEET PG 2025 Seat Data: More Than 28,700 Seats Confirmed.

Now with the Round 3 NEET PG Counselling in process, over 18,000 PG medical seats are vacant across India. The exorbitant number of vacant NEET PG seats for Round 3 counselling was the very reason that the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) slashed the qualifying percentile, bringing the NEET PG cutoff 2025 as low as negative marks. Many pleas were filed in the Supreme Court challenging the reduction of the cutoff, but the apex court dismissed all, citing it would be in the public interest if all NEET PG seats were filled.

Here, we have provided a data-driven insight for the NEET PG Counselling Round 3 participant.

Related Reads: NEET PG Counselling 2026: All India & State-Wise Counselling Updates

NEET PG 2025-26: Why Are So Many Seats Vacant?

As stated by the Health Ministry, recent years have witnessed an exponential rise in unfilled postgraduate medical seats, especially since 2020.

What are the reasons:

• Rapid expansion in seat capacity 
• Limited demand for certain disciplines 
• Hesitation towards private colleges
• Government’s push to add 75,000 UG and PG medical seats nationwide.

Growth in PG Medical Seats in India

PG medical seats increased by approximately 53.2% between 2020 and 2025. But here comes the paradox. Despite these expansions, the number of vacant seats is also rising.

Vacant Seats After First Round of Counselling

How many seats were vacant after NEET PG Counselling first round:

Vacant PG medical seats after the first round of NEET PG counselling increased by approximately 51.5% between 2021 and 2025.

Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu Account for One-Third of Vacancies

MCC data highlights that around one-third of all NEET PG seats are in these three states:

• Karnataka
• Maharashtra
• Tamil Nadu 

And they also have the highest vacancies. Maharashtra comes first in unfilled NEET PG seats.

State-Wise PG Medical Seat Vacancies (2025)

The total and vacant NEET PG statistics show upward trends:

Contribution to Vacancies

• Maharashtra: 40.6%
• Karnataka: 31.4%
• Tamil Nadu: 28.0%

Insights

• 28-41% of PG medical seats remained vacant after Round 1.
• Maharashtra has the highest PG seat vacancy rate: 40%
• It means that high PG seat expansion is not translating into proportional seat filling.

Private Colleges Drive Vacancy Numbers

India has a great number of private medical colleges. The kick is that they contribute large share of NEET PG or even NEET UG seats. But candidates still prefer the government ones because of the high fees and infrastructure concerns. No matter the lower cutoffs, students still prefer to wait or drop a year rather than take admission in private medical institutes. Let's look at the numbers:

• Karnataka: private sector seats (5,180) are double the government seats (2,470).
• Tamil Nadu: PG seats in private colleges increased by 55%. From 1,866 in 2020 to 2,892 in 2025.

NEET PG Cutoff Reduced to Zero: What It Means

The decision was in line to fill over 18,000 vacant medical seats. The official revised NEET PG 2025 cutoff is as follows:

Our blog on NEET PG Marks vs Rank Explanation will give you a clear idea.

Now, SC, ST, and OBC candidates with as low as -40 marks are eligible to participate in Round 3 counselling. 

Lessons from NEET PG Counselling 2023

In 2023, a somewhat similar situation came. The cutoff percentile was reduced to zero for all categories.

Lowest Scores Securing PG Seats in 2023

• General Category last rank seat in 2023: 200,449
• 2022: 1.3 lakh
• 2021: 1.07 lakh 

It highlights the sharp gap between seat availability and demand.

Recent NEET PG Seat Additions and Withdrawals

The seat scenario remains mixed for NEET PG aspirants, as the states are adding new PG seats even as others report reductions.

Preferred vs Least Preferred PG Medical Specialisations

Favour clinical branches according to MCC data.

Most preferred subjects (Top 100 rankers):

• General Medicine (43-53 students)
• Radio-diagnosis (35-45 students)
• General Surgery
• Dermatology
• Obstetrics & Gynaecology / Paediatrics

Least preferred subjects (Lowest rankers):

• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Biochemistry
• Microbiology
• Pathology
• Pharmacology
• Forensic Medicine
• Preventive Medicine

State-wise Additional PG Medical Seats Granted (AY 2025-26)

How many NEET PG seats did the states get in 2025?

NEET PG Round 3 Counselling Updates

NEET PG Counselling round 3 2025 seat allotment result will be out on 29 January 2026. The round 3 registration started after the revision in eligibility percentile. Then students will be able to report to the allotted college from 30 Jan 2026 to 6 Feb 2026. The registration for the stray vacancy round will commence from 10 Feb 2026 to 15 Feb 2026 (till 12:00 noon). NEET PG 2025 Round 3 and Stray Vacancy Counselling Dates Out.

SC Clears Counselling for 49 PG Seats at HIMSR

The Supreme Court has allowed counselling for 49 PG medical seats at Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences & Research (HIMSR). Now, NMC will include them in all rounds of NEET PG counselling.

What This Means for NEET PG Round 3 Aspirants?

The candidates who are eyeing a medical seat in round 3 NEET PG counselling, the seat allotment is about to come. The reduction of the cutoff ensured a larger pool of participants with lower marks. The opportunities can be abundant, but NBEMS has already clarified that the reduced cutoff cannot guarantee a seat for the candidate. However, options remain in private colleges and non-clinical branches. The choice should be focused on long-term career prospects.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ques: What is the 0 percentile in NEET PG counselling 2025?

Ans: You might think that 0 percentile means that a candidate has scored zero marks in NEET PG exam, but here its wrong interpretation. The Health Ministry has removed the minimum score barrier for eligibility. And that is what it means to be 0 percentile.

Ques: What are the revised cutoffs for round 3 counselling?

Ans: The revised cut-off is 7th percentile (103) for UR, 5th percentile (90) for UR PwD, and 0 percentile (–40) for SC/ST/OBC candidates.

Ques: I come under the purview of this revised cutoff, so is my seat guaranteed?

Ans: No. Unfortunately not. These revised eligibility guidelines will only make sure that you are eligible to participate in the counselling process. Moreover, the rank has not changed which means the person who got a higher rank then you has more chances of getting a seat. This does not guarantee a medical seat.