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The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has obtained permission to establish a 50-seat undergraduate medical college on the premises of its hospital at Andheri East, Mumbai. The first batch of MBBS students is set to be admitted in the 2025-26 academic year, marking a significant development in medical education and healthcare service infrastructure in the city. This will be the first medical college opened by a central government organization in Mumbai.
Key Developments
The Mumbai Medical Education Department recently granted approval for the 50-seat medical college at ESIC Hospital Andheri, with the fees set at an affordable Rs 24,000 per year, which is among the lowest for medical courses in the region. Abhilasha Jha, regional director of ESIC, confirmed these details and highlighted the institution’s aim to provide quality medical education at modest fees.
This initiative comes after a tragic setback in December 2018 when a fire at the ESIC Hospital in Andheri caused 11 deaths and injured 146 people. Following the incident, several hospital services were temporarily relocated to the ESIC Hospital in Kandivali. The fire exposed deficiencies in safety measures, including the presence of unauthorized LPG cylinders and lack of a fire safety NOC. Recovery and reconstruction efforts since then have paved the way for renewed institutional development.
The ESIC hospital complex presently has 300 beds, with 100 beds currently operational. The completion of hospital services expansion and campus development is targeted for December 2025, coinciding with the launching of the medical college.
Expert Perspectives
Health policy experts and medical educators have welcomed this move as timely and needed. Establishing a medical college within the ESIC system brings together clinical care with academic training, fostering the development of future doctors trained in real-world healthcare settings. The relatively low tuition fee promises to increase accessibility for aspiring medical students from diverse economic backgrounds, potentially strengthening the healthcare workforce in Maharashtra and beyond.
The presence of the college in Andheri adds to Mumbai’s existing government-affiliated medical institutions such as those at Nair, KEM, Sion, Cooper, and JJ Hospitals, further enhancing the city’s status as a medical education hub.
Implications for Public Health
The new medical college is expected to significantly boost healthcare capacity locally and regionally. By integrating clinical services at the ESIC hospital with medical education, patients will benefit from improved service quality and access to advanced diagnostics and specialized care. Training future physicians in such an environment encourages development of competent healthcare professionals equipped to address diverse community health needs.
Moreover, the affordable fees and government backing may help reduce gaps in medical education access, supporting Maharashtra’s larger health system goals encompassing quality, equity, and expanded medical service delivery.
Limitations and Considerations
While the establishment of this new medical college is a positive step, challenges remain. Ensuring adequate faculty recruitment, infrastructure development, and operational readiness will be critical to maintaining educational standards akin to other recognized institutions. The legacy of safety lapses in the hospital building underscores the continued need for rigorous adherence to safety regulations to protect students, staff, and patients.
Further, as with all new medical institutions, initial years may witness growing pains related to program implementation and student experience. Continuous oversight and support from health authorities and academic bodies will thus be essential.
Medical Education and Admission Details
ESIC Medical College Andheri will offer the MBBS program with a duration of 4.5 years plus one-year internship, admitting 50 students annually. Admission will be through NEET UG counseling conducted by the Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test Cell. The college is approved by the National Medical Commission (NMC) and affiliated with the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences.
The campus features modern facilities including an attached hospital with ICU, diagnostic equipment, and specialized departments to support both clinical training and patient care. Hostel and other student amenities are available, ensuring a conducive educational environment.
Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals before making any health-related decisions or changes to your treatment plan. The information presented here is based on current research and expert opinions, which may evolve as new evidence emerges.
References:
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Medical Dialogues, “ESIC to set up medical college with 50 MBBS seats in Andheri,” Sept 23, 2025.
