Union Cabinet approves 5,000 PG, 5,023 MBBS seats at Rs 15,034 Cr nationwide

New Delhi, Sept 24: In a bid to strengthen the overall availability of doctors in the country, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday, approved the scheme to increase 5,000 PG seats and 5,023 MBBS seats for a total outlay of Rs 15,034.50 crore.

The approval of Phase III of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) aims to strengthen and upgrade existing state government and central government medical colleges, standalone PG institutes, and government hospitals.

The seats will be increased “with an enhanced cost ceiling of Rs. 1.50 crore per seat”, according to a Cabinet Communique.

“The total financial implications of these two schemes are Rs 15,034.50 crore for a period from 2025-26 to 2028-29. Out of Rs 15,034.50 crore, the central share is Rs 10,303.20 crore and the state share is Rs 4731.30 crore,” it added.

The new scheme comes as PM Modi, during his Independence Day address in 2024, stated that the Central government will create 75,000 new medical seats over the next five years as part of the government’s move to augment the country’s healthcare infrastructure.

The new initiative “will significantly boost the undergraduate medical capacity, availability of specialist doctors and enable introduction of new specialties across government medical institutions and thus improve access to quality healthcare, especially in underserved areas”, the Cabinet said.

Currently, India has 808 medical colleges -- the highest in the world, with a total intake capacity of 1,23,700 MBBS seats.

In the last 10 years, the country has added over 69,352 new MBBS seats, registering a growth of 127%.

During the same period, 43,041 PG seats were also added, showing an impressive growth of 143%.

Yet, in certain regions, there is a need to enhance capacities to match the demand, access, and affordability of healthcare.

IANS