Massive Boost to Medical Education: Over 1700 MBBS and 2200 PG Seats Added Across India Since 2020

In a recent update to the Rajya Sabha, Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar, the Minister of State for Health, shared substantial progress in medical education across India, revealing that a total of 1762 MBBS seats in 38 medical colleges and 2259 postgraduate seats in 51 medical colleges have been added since the academic year 2020-2021. This expansion is a result of the Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) aimed at increasing MBBS seats, starting new PG disciplines, and augmenting PG seats in the country.

Under these schemes, funds are allocated for civil constructions and equipment procurement, with a fund-sharing mechanism between the Centre and State Governments. The ratio is set at 90:10 for North Eastern and Special Category States and 60:40 for others, with an upper ceiling cost of Rs.1.20 crore per seat.

Responding to queries from Parliament member Smt. P.T. Usha, Dr. Pawar explained that these initiatives are part of the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), aiming to address regional imbalances in tertiary healthcare services and enhance facilities for quality medical education in the country.

The detailed breakdown of the expansion includes 150 MBBS seats in 3 medical colleges in Gujarat, 120 MBBS seats in 6 medical colleges in Himachal Pradesh, 250 MBBS seats in 5 medical colleges in Madhya Pradesh, 650 MBBS seats in 13 medical colleges in Maharashtra, and more across various states.

In terms of postgraduate seats, 630 seats have been added to Andhra Pradesh, 115 seats in Bihar, 209 seats in Rajasthan, 232 seats in Telangana, and 606 seats in West Bengal, among other contributions in different states.

Dr. Pawar further shared details of projects completed and ongoing under the CSS, emphasizing the significant progress made in upgrading existing Government Medical Colleges/Institutions (GMCIs). Out of 75 approved projects, 64 have been completed, impacting medical education positively across several states.

This comprehensive expansion demonstrates the government’s commitment to bolstering medical education infrastructure, increasing accessibility, and addressing the growing demand for healthcare professionals across the nation.

Details of completed and ongoing projects for the upgradation of Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) approved under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) since 2020, categorized by state.