Parliament Question: Shortage of Medical Seats

GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4807 TOBE ANSWERED ON20TH MARCH, 2026 SHORTAGEOFMEDICALSEATS †4807. SHRIRAMPRITMANDAL:

SHRIGIRIDHARI YADAV:

Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased tostate:

(a) whether there is a huge shortage in the total number of seats available as compared to the number of candidates appearing in the NEET-UG examination in the country during the current year andif so, the detailsthereof;

(b) whether the students securing high marks are compelled to migrate abroad for medical studies for thisreason, if so, the detailsthereof; and

(c) whether the Government proposes to take any action to address such migration of students for medical educationabroad,if so, the detailsthereof? ANSWER THE MINISTEROFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SMT. ANUPRIYAPATEL)

(a) to (c): As reported by the National Medical Commission (NMC), the number of Medical Colleges have increased by 111.36 % from 387 in 2013-14 to 818 at present. Further, it has been informed that MBBS seats have increased by 151.18%, from 51,348 before 2013–14 to 1,28,976at present, therebycontributing toimprovedaccessibility tomedical education.

The government has made concerted efforts on expanding the medical college infrastructure under various CSS Schemes over last one decade so that medical education becomes more affordable. The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare administers a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for ‘Establishment of new medical colleges attached with existing district/referral hospitals’ with preference tounderserved areasand aspirational districts, where there is no existing Government or private medical college. A total of 157 Medical Colleges have been approved in the various districts across the country. Further, the Cabinet has approved the extension of the CSS for Strengthening and Upgradation of existing StateGovernment/ Central Government Medical Colleges/ Standalone PG Institutes/ Government Hospitals for increasing 5,000 PG seats and extension of the CSS for upgradation of existing government medicalcolleges for increasing 5,023MBBS seats with anenhancedcost ceilingof Rs. 1.50 crore perseat.

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) of the Directorate General of Health Services

(DGHS) conducts counselling for undergraduate medical courses as per the scheme laid down bythe Hon’ble SupremeCourt of India. The counselling is strictly as permerit and it isensured thatthe candidates are allottedmedicalseats aspertheirrank andpriority.

Further, Government continuously endeavours to make medical education more affordable.The fee structure for MBBS course differs from State to State in Government / Private Medical Collegesasper the guidelinesissued by concernedStateFee RegulatoryAuthorities. In order to make medical education affordable and accessible in the country, the fee structure of Government medical colleges is subsidized. In accordance with the provision of the Constitiution (103rd Amendment Act, 2019), there is a reservation of 10% in UG/PG medical seats for economicallyweaker sections of the society.

******