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New Delhi, April 5, 2025: In a significant move set to benefit thousands of aspiring doctors, the Central government has announced a substantial increase in the number of undergraduate (MBBS) and postgraduate (PG) medical seats across India. This expansion addresses the growing demand for medical professionals and provides much-needed relief for National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) UG and PG candidates.
Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Anupriya Patel, informed Parliament that the total number of MBBS seats nationwide has now reached 1,18,190. Simultaneously, medical postgraduate seats have risen to 74,306.
This development follows the government’s Budget 2025 announcement on February 1, which pledged the addition of 75,000 new medical seats over the next five years. According to a Times of India report published today, the implementation of this plan is already underway.
Minister Patel elaborated on the government’s strategy, emphasizing that increasing medical seats is an ongoing process achieved through both establishing new medical colleges and upgrading existing ones. She highlighted the remarkable growth since 2014:
- The number of medical colleges has surged by 101.5%, increasing from 387 to 780.
- MBBS seats have seen a 130% jump, rising from 51,348 to the current 1,18,190.
- PG seats have increased by 138%, climbing from 31,185 to 74,306.
- Notably, 13,436 new medical seats were added in the 2024-25 academic year alone.
The expansion is being supported by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare through the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS). This scheme focuses on establishing new medical colleges and upgrading existing government facilities, particularly in underserved districts. So far, 157 new medical colleges have received approval under this scheme, with 131 already operational. Financial assistance under the CSS covers civil works and equipment, capped at Rs 1.20 crore per MBBS seat, with funding shared between the Centre and states (90:10 for Northeast/special category states and 60:40 for others).
Efforts to enhance existing medical colleges have also yielded significant results, adding 4,977 MBBS seats across 83 colleges and 8,058 PG seats across 137 colleges through various phases.
Illustrating this expansion, Delhi’s Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital is undergoing a major upgrade. Its MBBS seat capacity will more than double, increasing from 100 to 250. The hospital will also add 666 beds, boosting its total capacity from 1,532 to 2,198, thereby enhancing both educational opportunities and patient care infrastructure.
While the National Medical Commission (NMC) website currently displays 1,17,950 MBBS seats, government sources confirm the final count for the upcoming admission cycle stands at 1,18,190. This represents an increase of over 10,000 seats compared to last year’s figure of approximately 1.08 lakh. The NMC website is expected to reflect the updated seat matrix soon.
Disclaimer: This news article is based on information provided regarding government announcements and reports cited within the source text. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy based on the provided details, readers are advised to consult official government and National Medical Commission (NMC) websites for the most current and verified information on medical seat availability and admission procedures. The figures mentioned reflect the data provided at the time of the report.
