Karnataka NEET UG 2026: 1,122 New MBBS/BDS Seats Added to Government Medical Colleges

Karnataka has received a significant boost in medical education under NEET UG 2026, with the state being allocated 1,122 additional MBBS and BDS seats. The move is expected to increase opportunities for medical aspirants and strengthen healthcare education infrastructure across the state.

The approval was granted by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, as confirmed by Karnataka Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil. The announcement was made at Vidhana Soudha, marking a key development ahead of the NEET UG 2026 admission cycle.

₹1,090 Crore Funding for Medical Education Upgrade

Along with the seat expansion, Karnataka will also receive ₹1,090 crore in central funding to improve medical education infrastructure. The funds will be used to upgrade colleges, expand facilities, and strengthen institutions across districts such as Koppal, Gadag, Chamarajanagar, and Karwar.

Relief for NEET Aspirants

The addition of over 1,100 seats is expected to reduce competition pressure for NEET UG aspirants in Karnataka. Every year, lakhs of students compete for limited MBBS and BDS seats, making admission highly competitive.

With this expansion:

• More medical seats will be available in Karnataka
• Admission chances for students are expected to improve
• Medical education access will expand in underserved regions

NEET UG 2026 Counselling Update

The revised seat matrix will be included in the NEET UG 2026 counselling process conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) and Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA). Aspirants are advised to stay updated with official notifications.