MUMBAI, Sept. 13 -- Maharashtra has received an additional 550 MBBS seats for the academic year 2026-27, taking the total number of MBBS seats in the state to 13,249. The increase includes seats in three new medical colleges as well as additional seats approved in existing medical colleges. The latest seat matrix released by the National Medical Commission (NMC), updated on September 1, included the newly approved seats. The new seats are likely to be added from the third round of admissions, subject to their inclusion in the counselling process. The second round of NEET-UG 2026 counselling is underway. The Medical Counselling Committee released provisional Round 2 allotment result for MBBS and BDS seats under its counselling process. In Maharashtra, around 35,349 candidates were included in the revised final merit list for MBBS and BDS courses. In the first provisional list, 8,065 candidates secured MBBS admissions against 8,129 available seats. This left 64 MBBS seats vacant after the first round. Similarly, 2,444 candidates secured BDS admissions against 2,517 available seats, leaving 73 BDS seats vacant. These vacant seats included those reserved for Persons with Disabilities and orphan candidates. Among the existing institutions, two deemed universities received an increase of 50 MBBS seats each. The latest matrix also shows new establishments being included in Maharashtra's medical education network. With the additional seats, candidates who remain eligible for subsequent rounds will have more options within the state. The NMC has also made it clear that colleges can admit students only against the number of seats approved in the latest seat matrix....