On November 11, 2026, it was reported that 411 MBBS seats remained unallotted even after the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) conducted a special stray vacancy round for NEET UG 2026. Out of the 948 vacant seats included in this special round, only 537 were filled. The primary reason cited for these vacancies is the steep tuition fees at private medical colleges, which have deterred qualified candidates from accepting the offers.

Key points

• 411 seats vacant: Despite a fifth round of counselling (beyond the four directed by the Supreme Court), 411 MBBS seats remain empty.
• High fees: Fees in some private colleges have risen from around ₹15 lakh to ₹25–30 lakh, with some annual fees reaching up to ₹35 lakh.
• Legal plea: Two medical colleges have filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking a reduction in the NEET UG 2026 qualifying percentile.
• Next hearing: The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the matter on November 16, 2026.

Details

The issue has drawn attention to the disconnect between merit-based admissions and affordability. A health ministry official noted that while government medical colleges and reputed private institutions are filling their seats, vacancies are concentrated in specific private colleges. The official stated that if fees remain this high, increasing the number of seats will not help because students cannot afford them. The plea in the Supreme Court was filed by Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute and Shri Sathya Sai Medical College and Research Institute. The case was initially heard on November 5 by a bench comprising Justice Pamidighantam Sri Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe. Critics argue that the lack of a fee cap for deemed universities is a major factor in the non-allotment of seats, as high-scoring NEET candidates are often unable to pay the exorbitant fees.

What it means for students

For NEET UG 2026 candidates, this situation highlights the importance of checking fee structures before accepting seat allotments. If you are waiting for further counselling rounds, be aware that the Supreme Court's decision on November 16 could impact the qualifying marks and the availability of seats. Students should monitor official notifications from the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) for any changes in the admission process or seat matrix. It is advisable to prepare for potential changes in the qualifying percentile, although the current focus is on resolving the vacancy issue through fee regulation or legal intervention.

Source: CNBC TV18. Written for students by the Isolated Study News Desk from public reports. Always check the official website for final dates and details.