Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare addressed concerns regarding medical seats and doctor availability in Uttar Pradesh. As of August 8, 2025, there are 12,325 MBBS seats in Uttar Pradesh. The government has taken steps to increase the number of medical colleges and enhance the availability of doctors nationwide.
Key Points / Main Content:
MBBS Seats and Doctor Availability:
* MBBS seats have increased from 51,348 before 2014 to 115,900, including 12,325 seats in Uttar Pradesh.
* There are 13,86,157 registered allopathic doctors and 7,51,768 registered AYUSH practitioners in India.
* The doctor-population ratio is estimated to be 1:811, assuming 80% availability of registered practitioners.
* Uttar Pradesh has 19,669 sanctioned posts for doctors, with 3,034 posts vacant.
Government Measures to Enhance Doctor Availability:
* Centrally Sponsored Scheme: Establishing new medical colleges by upgrading district referral hospitals (131 functional out of 157 approved, with 27 in Uttar Pradesh).
* Centrally Sponsored Scheme: Strengthening and upgrading existing medical colleges to increase MBBS and PG seats.
* Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY): Upgrading Government Medical Colleges by constructing Super Specialty Blocks (71 projects completed nationwide, 11 approved in Uttar Pradesh).
* Central Sector Scheme: Setting up new AIIMS (22 approved, including 2 in Uttar Pradesh).
* DNB qualification recognized for faculty appointments.
* Enhanced age limit for teachers/Dean/Principal/Director in medical colleges up to 70 years.
* Non-medical graduates with relevant MSc and PhD qualifications can be appointed as faculty.
* Non-teaching Consultants/Specialists/Medical Officers/Diploma holders eligible for Assistant Professor positions.
Impact Analysis:
National Medical Commission (NMC):
* Impact: NMC provided data regarding the increase in medical colleges and MBBS seats.
* Action Required: Continue monitoring and supporting the increase in medical education capacity.
Ministry of Ayush:
* Impact: Provided data on registered practitioners in the AYUSH system of medicine.
* Action Required: Collaborate with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to integrate AYUSH practitioners into the healthcare system.
State Government of Uttar Pradesh:
* Impact: Reported sanctioned and vacant posts for doctors in the state, and benefited from schemes to increase medical colleges and seats.
* Action Required: Implement approved projects, fill vacant doctor posts, and monitor the effectiveness of the implemented schemes.
Medical Professionals (Doctors, Faculty):
* Impact: Increased opportunities for practice and teaching due to increased seats and relaxed appointment criteria.
* Action Required: Stay informed about new regulations and opportunities for employment and advancement.
Citizens of India/Uttar Pradesh:
* Impact: Improved access to healthcare due to increased doctor availability and medical infrastructure.
* Action Required: Utilize the enhanced healthcare facilities and provide feedback on the quality of services.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: The Union ministry responsible for health policy in India.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
Uttar Pradesh: A state in northern India, focus of the medical seat and doctor availability inquiry.
National Medical Commission (NMC): Body providing information on medical colleges and MBBS seats.
Ministry of Ayush: Indian governmental body related to traditional and non-allopathic medicine systems.
Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY): A Government of India scheme for upgrading government medical colleges.
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS): A group of autonomous public medical colleges of higher education.
MBBS: Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, a medical degree.
GOVERNMENTOFINDIA
MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. †3365
TO BE ANSWERED ON08THAUGUST, 2025
MEDICALSEATSIN UTTARPRADESH
†3365.SHRIBABU SINGH KUSHWAHA:
Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased tostate:
(a) the total number of MBBS seats in Uttar Pradesh along with the steps being taken by the
Government toenhancethe seats;
(b) the totalsanctionedposts of doctorsinUttar Pradeshandthe numberof vacant posts;
(c) whether there is one doctor for population of approximately 18 thousand in Uttar Pradesh
which isfar belowthe normsof one doctorfor a populationof one thousand; and
(d) if so, the details thereof along with the steps being taken by the Government to enhance the
availability of doctors?
ANSWER
THE MINISTEROFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILY
WELFARE
(SMT. ANUPRIYAPATEL)
(a)to(d) As per information provided by National Medical Commission (NMC), the
Government has increased number of medical colleges and subsequently increased MBBS seats.
There is an increase of 125% in MBBS seats from 51,348 before 2014 to 1,15,900 as of now
includinga totalof 12,325MBBS seats inUttar Pradesh.
There are 13,86,157 registered allopathic doctors. The Ministry of Ayush has informed
thatthere are 7,51,768 registered practitioners inthe AYUSH system of medicine. Assuming that
80% of registered practitioners in both the allopathic and AYUSH systems are available, the
doctor-population ratio in the country is estimated to be 1:811. Further, as informed by State
Government of Uttar Pradesh there are total of 19,669 sanctioned posts of doctors, out of which
3,034are vacant.
The measures/ steps taken by the Government to increase the number of seats and further
enhanceavailability of doctorsinthe countryinclude:-
i. Centrally Sponsored Scheme for establishment of new medical college by upgrading
district/ referral hospital with preference to underserved area and aspirational districts,
under which 131 new medical colleges are already functional out of 157 approved
medicalcolleges, out of which 27 medicalcollegeshave beenapprovedinUttar Pradesh.ii. Centrally Sponsored Scheme for strengthening/ upgradation of existing State
Government/Central Government Medical Collegestoincrease MBBS andPGseats.
iii. Under“UpgradationofGovernmentMedicalCollegesbyconstructionofSuperSpecialty
Blocks” of Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) scheme, a total of 75
projects have been approved, 71 such projects have been completed across the country,
out of which 11 projectsare approvedinUttar Pradesh.
iv. Under the Central Sector Scheme for setting up of new AIIMS, 22 AIIMS have been
approved,out of which 2AIIMS are approvedinUttar Pradesh.
v. DNB qualification has been recognized for appointment as faculty to take care of
shortage of faculty.
vi. Enhancement of age limit for appointment/ extension/ re-employment against posts of
teachers/Dean/Principal/ Director inmedicalcollegesupto 70years.
vii. Non-medicalgraduateswithMScandPhD(relevantmedical)qualificationsfromNMC-
recognized/accredited Medical Colleges/Institutes canbe appointed asfaculty.
viii. Non-teachingConsultants/Specialists/MedicalOfficersandDiplomaholdershavebeen
made eligible for Assistant Professor.
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