0
0
New Delhi — In a significant move to address the chronic regional disparity in India’s medical education sector, the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare has strongly recommended that the National Medical Commission (NMC) frame immediate guidelines to establish new medical colleges specifically in states with fewer than 100 MBBS seats per million population.
The recommendation comes as part of the Committee’s 167th report, presented to the Rajya Sabha on December 11, 2025. The panel, chaired by senior parliamentarians, expressed deep concern over the “skewed distribution” of medical seats across the country, which forces thousands of students to migrate to other states or abroad for education, often at exorbitant costs.
Bridging the Regional Divide
The Committee’s report highlights a stark contrast in medical education infrastructure. While the national average stands at approximately 75 MBBS seats per million population, the distribution is heavily lopsided. Southern states such as Karnataka, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu boast approximately 150 seats per million, with the Union Territory of Puducherry recording a staggering 2,000 seats per million.
In sharp contrast, states like Bihar are grappling with a crisis-level shortage, offering as few as 21 seats per million population. Other states in central and eastern India face similar deficits, hovering well below the 50-seat mark.
“The Committee is of the firm view that the NMC must come forward with specific guidelines for establishing new medical colleges in states where there are fewer than hundred MBBS seats per million population,” the report stated. This targeted approach aims to ensure that aspiring doctors from underserved regions have equitable access to quality education within their home states.
Soaring Costs and the “Poor Guardian’s” Dilemma
Beyond geographical disparity, the panel flagged the prohibitive cost of medical education as a critical barrier. The report noted that the cost of an MBBS degree in many private colleges ranges from ₹60 lakh to over ₹1 crore, effectively excluding students from economically weaker sections.
“It appears as if there are no takers for the poor guardian to get their offspring admitted in the medical colleges,” the Committee observed, emphasizing that merit should not be held ransom to financial capability.
To combat this, the panel endorsed a major policy shift: the government should regulate the fee structure for 50 percent of seats in all private medical colleges, aligning them with state government fee rates. The fees for the remaining 50 percent should be determined in consultation with state fee regulatory committees, ensuring transparency and affordability.
Expert Commentary and Quality Concerns
Health policy experts have long argued that simply increasing seat numbers without geographic planning exacerbates healthcare inequality. Dr. Rajesh Kumar, a senior health policy analyst (not involved in the panel), commented on the development:
“Doctors tend to settle in the regions where they are trained. By concentrating medical colleges in a few states, we are inadvertently creating ‘medical deserts’ in others. This recommendation is a crucial step toward ensuring that the future healthcare workforce is distributed more evenly across the nation’s geography.”
The Committee also touched upon the issue of quality assurance, specifically the menace of “ghost faculty”—teachers who are on the payroll but not physically present. While acknowledging the Health Ministry’s efforts, the panel endorsed the strict implementation of the NMC’s Aadhaar-based biometric attendance system to curb this malpractice.
Focus on Delhi and Underserved Districts
The report made a specific case for the national capital, urging the government to plan new medical colleges in Delhi. Despite being a medical hub, the high volume of aspirants in Delhi often forces local students to seek opportunities elsewhere.
Furthermore, the Committee recommended utilizing existing government hospitals in underserved districts to set up new medical colleges. This “district residency” model not only expands educational capacity but also strengthens the tertiary healthcare infrastructure in rural and semi-urban areas.
Implications for Public Health
If implemented, these guidelines could reshape the landscape of Indian healthcare. By localizing medical education:
-
Retention Rates: States with high disease burdens but few doctors could see improved retention of medical professionals.
-
Reduced Migration: Fewer students would feel compelled to pursue medical degrees in countries like Russia, China, or Ukraine, reducing the reliance on Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) to fill gaps in the healthcare system.
-
Standardization: The panel reiterated its support for the National Exit Test (NExT), viewing it as a tool to ensure a uniform standard of competency among graduates from all regions.
Challenges Ahead
While the recommendations are progressive, challenges remain. Establishing new colleges requires significant capital investment and, more critically, a robust pipeline of qualified faculty. The current shortage of professors in existing colleges raises questions about how new institutions in deficit states will be staffed without compromising educational standards.
As the NMC reviews these recommendations, the focus now shifts to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to translate this parliamentary advice into actionable policy for the upcoming academic sessions.
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.
Reference Section:
-
Primary Source: Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare, 167th Report presented to Rajya Sabha, December 11, 2025.
