Finance
In a significant move in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment on Independence Day 2024 to establish 75,000 additional medical seats over five years, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has granted 10,650 new MBBS seats for the academic year 2024-25.
This expansion is part of a larger initiative to improve the availability of medical education in India. The installation of 41 new medical colleges brings the total number of medical institutions in the country to 816.
According to NMC Chief Dr Abhijat Sheth, a total of 10,650 MBBS seats have been authorized from 170 applications received for expanding undergraduate (UG) seats—41 from government colleges and 129 from private institutions.
As a result, the total number of MBBS seats for the 2024-25 academic year will be 137,600, including those at Institutes of National Importance (INI).
The National Medical Commission (NMC) has received more than 3,500 applications for new and renewing postgraduate (PG) positions. Dr. Sheth noted that the commission expects an increase of about 5,000 PG seats, bringing the total to 67,000 PG seats nationally. Overall, the increase in undergraduate (UG) and graduate (PG) seats this year is estimated to be roughly 15,000.
Although the final approval process and counselling have been delayed, officials have indicated that these procedures would be completed within the time frames specified. A blueprint defining the schedule for accreditation, tests, and seat matrix approvals for the coming academic year will be released soon. Furthermore, the site for 2025-26 applications is scheduled to begin in early November.
Notably, Dr. Sheth stated that this year represents the first time in recent history that all appeals against Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) decisions have been addressed without the need for court action.
To improve the quality of medical education, Dr. Sheth revealed that the National Medical Commission (NMC) is looking into incorporating clinical research into the regular medical curriculum.
Plans are being established for a collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to improve research infrastructure and boost clinical research in medical schools.
The NMC’s programs are considered as a crucial step toward improving the country’s medical education capability, in line with the government’s objective of expanding healthcare infrastructure and meeting the growing need for medical professionals.
Source: IE
