Cabinet Approves Major Expansion of Medical Education: Over 5,000 MBBS and PG Seats to Boost Healthcare in India
Cabinet Approves Major Expansion of Medical Education: Over 5,000 MBBS and PG Seats to Boost Healthcare in India
The Union Cabinet, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given the green light to the third phase of the centrally sponsored scheme (CSS) aimed at developing government medical colleges, standalone postgraduate institutions, and public hospitals across the country. This expansion will introduce 5,023 new MBBS seats and 5,000 postgraduate seats, with a revised cost of ₹1.50 crore per seat, reflecting a major step toward enhancing medical education and healthcare services in India.
This program will significantly expand undergraduate medical capacity, create additional postgraduate opportunities to ensure more specialist doctors are available, and support the introduction of new medical specializations in government institutions. Officials noted that “it is expected to strengthen the overall availability of doctors across the nation.”
Financial Investment and Implementation
The total cost of this initiative for the period 2025-26 to 2028-29 is ₹15,034.50 crore, with the central government contributing ₹10,303.20 crore and states collectively providing ₹4,731.30 crore. The funding aims to ensure that the expansion meets both current and future healthcare needs efficiently and sustainably.
Government sources highlighted that efforts to increase medical seats in both state and central institutions will “enhance access to quality healthcare by improving the availability of doctors and specialists.” Expanding postgraduate seats will make full use of existing infrastructure, ensuring a steady supply of experts in critical medical disciplines while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
Objectives and Long-Term Impact
The schemes are designed to promote balanced regional distribution of healthcare resources, leveraging existing infrastructure, and addressing both current and emerging medical requirements. The target is to increase 5,000 PG seats and 5,023 UG seats in government institutions by 2028-29. Detailed guidelines for implementation will be issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW).
India currently has 808 medical colleges, the highest in the world, with a total MBBS intake capacity of 1,23,700 seats. Over the past decade, more than 69,352 new MBBS seats were added, a 127% growth, while 43,041 postgraduate seats were added during the same period, reflecting a 143% increase. Despite this growth, certain regions still require enhanced capacity to meet healthcare demand, accessibility, and affordability.
Targets of the Scheme
- To provide students with more opportunities to pursue medical education within India.
- To improve the quality of medical education and training to meet global standards.
- To ensure adequate availability of doctors and specialists, making India a leading destination for affordable healthcare and boosting foreign exchange.
- To reduce disparities in access to healthcare, particularly in underserved rural and remote areas.
- To create direct and indirect employment opportunities for doctors, faculty, paramedical staff, researchers, administrators, and support services, strengthening the resilience of the health system and contributing to overall socio-economic development.
- To promote equitable distribution of healthcare infrastructure across states and union territories.
