TN Adds 424 PG Medical Seats for 2026 Counselling

Tamil Nadu is set to significantly expand its postgraduate medical education capacity with the addition of 424 new seats in state-run medical colleges. This crucial approval from the National Medical Commission comes just before the second round of state counselling, scheduled for November 17, 2026. The state's total number of government postgraduate seats now stands at 2,782, a notable increase from the previous year's 2,358. Annually, Tamil Nadu allocates nearly 50% of its postgraduate seats to the central government for All India counselling, with 1,325 seats designated for this purpose this year. The remaining 1,457 seats will be filled through the state's single-window online counselling process.

The newly approved seats are concentrated in vital clinical specialities, including anaesthesia, orthopaedics, general medicine, and surgery. Affiliation from the Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University is expected before the second round of state counselling commences. This expansion is anticipated to provide aspiring doctors with more choices and empower newer medical colleges to build specialized medical teams. Dr. V. Lokanayaki, of the selection committee, highlighted that the development of postgraduate and super-speciality departments in district hospitals will facilitate a more equitable distribution of high-end medical services throughout Tamil Nadu.