1. SMBT Nashik: The Deemed Medical College for NEET PG
SMBT Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, located at Dhamangaon, Nandi Hills, Igatpuri Taluka, Nashik district, Maharashtra, is a private medical institution established in 2014 under the Sevabhavi Trust [citation:4][citation:7]. The college is recognized by the National Medical Commission (NMC) and was previously affiliated with the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS), Nashik [citation:10].
In a significant development for medical education in Nashik, the Union Ministry of Education has granted deemed-to-be university status under a distinct category to SMBT [citation:1][citation:2]. This status is granted under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956, which provides university-level academic autonomy to select institutions [citation:2]. The transition is being implemented in phases rather than moving every course immediately under the new structure [citation:2].
For NEET PG aspirants, this is a transformative change. SMBT is now the deemed medical college in Nashik where MD/MS admissions flow through the central Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) rather than the state CET Cell [citation:1]. This opens the institution's PG seats to candidates from all Indian states through the MCC centralized counselling process.
2. MCC Counselling for SMBT Deemed University NEET PG 2026
With the deemed university status, MD/MS and DM/M.Ch admissions at SMBT will be conducted by MCC from the 2026-27 academic year [citation:6]. Candidates must follow the MCC counselling process instead of the Maharashtra state CET Cell route.
Step-by-Step MCC Counselling Process
- 1 Qualify NEET PG 2026: Score the required percentile (50th for General/EWS, 40th for SC/ST/OBC).
- 2 Register on MCC Portal: Complete online registration at mcc.nic.in and pay the registration fee.
- 3 Document Verification: Complete document verification as per MCC schedule.
- 4 Choice Filling: Select SMBT Institute of Medical Sciences and your preferred MD/MS speciality in the MCC choice-filling portal.
- 5 Seat Allotment & Reporting: Download allotment letter, pay fees, and report to SMBT campus with original documents.
Important: A detailed note on eligibility, fees, registration and counselling for the courses being offered under the deemed university will be published separately by the college [citation:1][citation:6]. Candidates must refer to the official MCC notification and SMBT circular for exact details.
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Get MCC Counselling Guidance3. Courses Affected by Deemed University Status
The deemed university status at SMBT will be introduced in phases, meaning not every course will move immediately to the new structure [citation:2]. The following table summarizes which courses are covered under the deemed university framework and which continue through the existing state system:
| Programme Group | Admission Route (2026-27) | Counselling Authority |
|---|---|---|
| MD / MS (Medical PG) | Deemed University Framework | MCC (mcc.nic.in) |
| DM / M.Ch (Super-Speciality) | Deemed University Framework | MCC (mcc.nic.in) |
| B.Pharm / M.Pharm | Deemed University Framework | As per university norms |
| Physiotherapy / Ayurveda | Deemed University Framework | As per university norms |
| MBBS | State CET Cell (Current Cycle) | Maharashtra CET Cell |
| BDS / MDS | State CET Cell | Maharashtra CET Cell |
| B.Sc / M.Sc Nursing | State CET Cell | Maharashtra CET Cell |
*Course classification as per the SMBT circular on deemed university status [citation:2][citation:6]. Students admitted to MBBS, BDS, and Nursing programmes will continue to be part of MUHS with exams conducted by the state university [citation:1].
4. NEET PG Eligibility for SMBT Deemed University 2026
Candidates seeking MD/MS admission at SMBT Deemed University must satisfy the following eligibility conditions for MCC counselling:
PG Admission Eligibility Mandate
- NEET PG Qualification: Must qualify NEET PG 2026 (50th percentile for General/EWS, 40th percentile for SC/ST/OBC, 45th percentile for UR-PwD).
- MBBS Degree: Must possess a recognised MBBS degree from an NMC-recognized institution.
- Internship: Must have completed or be scheduled to complete the mandatory 12-month rotatory internship by the NMC cutoff.
- Medical Registration: Must hold permanent or provisional registration from NMC / State Medical Council.
- All India Eligibility: With MCC counselling, candidates from all Indian states are eligible for SMBT PG seats.
5. Impact on NEET PG Aspirants: What Changes for 2026
The deemed university status of SMBT has several practical implications for NEET PG aspirants targeting MD/MS admissions in Nashik:
Wider Access
SMBT PG seats are now open to candidates from all Indian states through MCC centralized counselling, removing the previous Maharashtra domicile preference for PG admissions.
All India Rank-Based Cutoff
Cutoffs for SMBT MD/MS will now be based on All India ranks through MCC, which may alter the closing ranks compared to the previous state counselling pattern.
MCC Registration Required
Candidates must register on mcc.nic.in and participate in MCC rounds. The state CET Cell registration will not be applicable for MD/MS admissions at SMBT.
Phased Implementation
The transition is being implemented in phases. Candidates must verify programme-specific details from official SMBT and MCC notifications before applying.
6. Why Choose EduProPath for SMBT Deemed University PG Guidance?
EduProPath provides specialized, end-to-end MCC counselling support for candidates targeting PG seats at SMBT Deemed University and other deemed/private medical colleges:
- Customised MCC Choice List: Sequencing of deemed university colleges and MD/MS branches based on your exact NEET PG rank, specialisation preference, and fee budget.
- Round-wise Cutoff Tracking: Live monitoring of MCC vacancy position and closing trends after every allotment round.
- Document Pre-Audit: Verification of your complete PG document set before MCC reporting to avoid admission cancellation.
- Round Alerts on WhatsApp: Real-time notifications for MCC option entry deadlines, allotment results, and reporting windows.
- Transparent Advisory: Complete legal compliance under NMC and MCC regulations — no false seat guarantees.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which medical college in Nashik has deemed university status for NEET PG?
SMBT Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Igatpuri, Nashik, has been granted deemed-to-be university status under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956, by the Union Ministry of Education [citation:2][citation:6]. This makes it the deemed medical college in Nashik for NEET PG admissions through MCC counselling.</