**Summary:**
In response to increasing population demands, the Indian government has implemented measures to significantly increase the number of medical seats available for both undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) medical courses. As of August 8, 2025, the number of medical colleges has increased from 387 to 780 since 2014. This expansion has resulted in an increase in UG seats from 51,348 to 115,900 and PG seats from 31,185 to 74,306 during the same period.
Key initiatives driving this growth include:
1. **Centrally Sponsored Scheme for New Medical Colleges:** This scheme focuses on establishing new medical colleges by upgrading district referral hospitals. 131 out of 157 approved medical colleges are now functional under this scheme.
2. **Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Strengthening Existing Medical Colleges:** This initiative aims to upgrade existing State and Central Government Medical Colleges to increase the availability of MBBS and PG seats.
3. **Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY):** This scheme includes upgrading Government Medical Colleges through the construction of Super Specialty Blocks and Trauma Care Centers. 71 out of 75 projects under this component are complete. The scheme also involves establishing 22 new AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) institutions.
The National Medical Commission (NMC) has also relaxed infrastructure and faculty norms to facilitate the establishment of new medical colleges and the increase of UG and PG seats. Key relaxations include:
* Removal of mandatory land requirements for establishing a medical college.
* Reduction in the number of subjects in the MBBS curriculum from 23 to 20.
* Implementation of a stepwise and need-based approach for infrastructure, equipment, and manpower increases.
* Allowing PG courses to commence with a minimum of two seats, 20 beds, and two faculty members, removing the prior requirement for a senior resident.
* Allowing medical institutions to apply for starting PG courses one year after starting UG courses.
* Recognition of Diplomate of National Board (DNB) qualifications for faculty appointments to address faculty shortages.
* Enhancement of the age limit for appointment, extension, and re-employment of teachers/Dean/Principal/Director in medical colleges up to 70 years.
* Allowing non-medical graduates with relevant MSc and PhD qualifications from NMC-recognized Medical Colleges/Institutes to be appointed as faculty.
* Making non-teaching Consultants/Specialists, Medical Officers and Diploma holders eligible for appointment as Assistant Professors.
These measures collectively aim to address the increasing demand for medical professionals in India.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: The Indian government ministry responsible for health policy in India.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
SHRI JAGADISH SHETTAR: Member of Parliament who raised the question about medical seats.
SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL: Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare who provided the answer.
Centrally Sponsored Scheme: A Government scheme for establishment of new medical college by upgrading district referral hospital.
Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY): A Government scheme that includes upgrading Government Medical Colleges and setting up new AIIMS.
AIIMS: All India Institute of Medical Sciences, a group of autonomous public medical colleges.
National Medical Commission (NMC): An Indian regulatory body for medical education and medical professionals.
GOVERNMENTOFINDIA
MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3433
TO BE ANSWERED ON 8THAUGUST, 2025
MEDICALSEATS FORUG AND PGCOURSES
3433.SHRIJAGADISH SHETTAR:
Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased tostate:
(a) whether any measures are being contemplated to increase the intake of Medical Seats for
Under-Graduates and Post Graduate Medical seats to meet the demand of the increasing
populationinthe Country; and
(b) if so, the detailsthereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILY
WELFARE
(SMT. ANUPRIYAPATEL)
(a)&(b): The government has increased number of Medical Colleges, Under
Graduate(UG)and Post Graduate(PG) seats. There is an increase in Medical Colleges from
387to 780; UG seats from 51,348 to1,15,900 and PGseats from 31,185 to 74,306from 2014
toason date.
To expand the number of medical colleges, the Government is implementing following
schemes:
i. Centrally Sponsored Scheme for establishment of new medical college by upgrading
district/ referral hospital under which 131 new medical colleges are functional out of
157approvedmedicalcolleges.
ii. Centrally Sponsored Scheme for strengthening/ upgradation of existing State
Government/Central Government Medical Collegestoincrease MBBS andPGseats.
iii. Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) scheme has a component
related to “Upgradation of Government Medical Colleges by construction of Super
Specialty Blocks/Trauma care centres, etc.” Out of 75 projects, 71 projects are
completeunder thiscomponent.The other componentisfor setting upof newAIIMS
inwhich 22AIIMS have beenapproved.Further, National Medical Commission (NMC) has relaxed infrastructure/faculty norms for
establishment of new medical colleges and/or increase of Under Graduate (UG)/ Post
Graduate (PG)seats, which includes:
i. Mandatory landrequirement for setting upa medicalcollegehasbeenremoved.
ii. The number of subjects inthe MBBS curriculumhasbeen reducedfrom twenty three
(23) totwenty (20).
iii. Stepwise and need based approach has been permitted for increase in infrastructure,
equipmentandmanpower.
iv. PG courses can now be started with two (2) seats with a minimum number of twenty
(20) beds and only two faculty without the need for senior resident as against the
previousrequirementof three facultyanda senior resident.
v. Medical institutions have been allowed to apply for starting of PG courses after one
yearof starting UG courses.
vi. DNB qualification has been recognized for appointment as faculty to take care of
shortage of faculty.
vii. Enhancement of age limit for appointment/ extension/ re-employment against posts
of teachers/Dean/Principal/ Director inmedicalcollegesupto 70years.
viii.Non-medical graduates with MSc and PhD (relevant medical) qualifications from
NMC-recognized/accredited Medical Colleges/Institutes canbe appointedasfaculty.
ix. Non-teaching Consultants/Specialists /Medical Officers and Diploma holders have
beenmade eligible for Assistant Professor.
****