Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Aug 2: Despite a substantial 39% rise in MBBS seats over recent years, a significant number of undergraduate medical seats continue to go unfilled across India, according to data from the National Medical Commission (NMC). This information was shared in the Lok Sabha on August 1 by Anupriya Patel, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, in response to an unstarred question posed by Telugu Desam Party MP Putta Mahesh Kumar.
Why the Seats Are Growing—But Staying Empty
The government attributes the expansion in medical seats to the creation of new medical colleges and improvements in infrastructure and faculty strength. To maintain educational quality, the NMC introduced the Minimum Standard Requirement Regulations, 2023, which detail essential benchmarks for infrastructure, clinical facilities, and teaching staff needed to set up and operate medical colleges.
Still, the paradox remains: seat numbers are up, yet a large portion remains vacant. The reasons, though not explicitly detailed in the data, likely point to factors such as high tuition fees in private colleges, unequal distribution of institutions, regional disparities in access, and the availability of qualified faculty.
Where the Growth Is Happening
According to the data presented, states like Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Gujarat lead in the number of available MBBS seats for the academic years from 2020-21 to 2024-25.
Key Government Initiatives to Expand Medical Education
To bridge regional gaps and improve access, the government has launched several initiatives:
• New Medical Colleges: Under a centrally sponsored scheme targeting underserved and aspirational districts, 157 medical colleges were approved. 131 of these are already operational.
• Upgrading Existing Colleges: Another centrally sponsored scheme is focused on expanding infrastructure and increasing MBBS and PG seats in existing government-run colleges.
• PMSSY Projects: As part of the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana, 75 Super Speciality Block projects were approved across various government medical colleges. Of these, 71 have been completed.
• AIIMS Expansion: Under a central sector scheme, 22 new AIIMS institutions have been approved. Undergraduate MBBS courses have already commenced at 19 of them.
The Road Ahead
While India’s efforts to expand medical education infrastructure are commendable, the persistent gap between available seats and actual admissions raises questions about accessibility, affordability, and quality. Addressing these issues will be crucial if the country hopes to meet the growing demand for trained medical professionals across all regions.