The Health Ministry has issued a detailed breakdown of all medical seats and institutions in the nation, highlighting a significant rise in the seat matrix across all states and UTs.

The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar, provided information about the availability of 101,043 MBBS seats, 45,471 MD, MS, and PG Diploma seats, 4,997 DM seats, and MCh seats across 660 medical colleges in India during a recent Rajya Sabha question hour.

According to the MoS for Health, there are currently 660 medical colleges, up from 387 in 2014, which represents a 71% rise. Also, the number of MBBS seats has increased by 97%, from 51,348 in 2014 to 101,043 as of this writing, of which 52,778 seats are available in government medical colleges (GMCs) and 48,265 seats are accessible in private medical colleges.

Also, the number of PG and SS seats has increased by 110% from a combined total of 31,185 before 2014 to 65,335 as of this writing, including 13,246 DNB/FNB PG seats and 1621 PG seats at the Faculty of Doctors and Surgeons (CPS).

A total of 96,077 MBBS seats and 49,790 postgraduate medical seats were available as of December 2022. The Government has since raised the number of medical colleges, which has led to a rise in MBBS and PG medical seats.

The Ministry and the National Medical Commission (NMC) each released a statement last month detailing the overall number of medical seats and approved/recognized institutions. The total number of MBBS and PG medical seats at all government and private medical colleges is currently listed in the paper Dr. Pawar alluded to on March 14 in the parliament. For all NEET and NEET PG candidates this academic year, the same is summarized below.

MBBS/MD, MS, PG Diploma/ DM, MCh

In the country, there are currently 101,043 MBBS seats available, of which 52,778 are in 360 GMCs and 48,265 are in 300 private institutions. There are now 45,471 MD, MS, and PG Diploma seats open in India, with 26,936 of those seats located in government medical facilities and 18,535 in private medical institutions. According to a breakdown provided by the Health Ministry, India currently has 4,997 open DM and MCh seats. 1,088 of them are enrolled in medical schools that are self-supporting, while 3,909 of them work for government organisations.

The top states having the maximum number of seats are listed below;

CPS, DNB and FNB seats in India: 

The College of Doctors and Surgeons has 1,621 places available for applicants, according to the Health Ministry (CPS). Meanwhile, there are 13,246 seats available for DNB and FNB candidates.

Medical Colleges in India: 

There are currently 660 medical colleges operating in India, of which 360 are government-run and 300 are private.According to the data, Tamil Nadu, which has 72 institutions, has the most medical colleges.Moreover, Tamil Nadu currently has the most open MBBS seats for applicants.

The State-wise details of medical colleges and MBBS, MD, MS, PG Diploma, DM and MCh seats in the country for the current academic year 2023-24 as shared by the Health Ministry: 

The stakeholders are encouraged to take note that this information for 2023–24 may change depending on whether NMC grants approval for new colleges or an increase in seats, as well as whether it withdraws authorisation for colleges or seats.

Moreover, Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, provided information on the CSS Plan and the situation with medical institutions.

Support has been given to the State of Telangana for an addition of 511 PG seats in 09 Medical Colleges under the CSS for strengthening/upgrading existing State Government/Central Government Medical Colleges to increase the number of PG seats.

Moreover, funding has been given to the State of Telangana through the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) for the construction of super specialty blocks at three of the state’s medical colleges. The establishment of AIIMS, Bibinagar has also received PMSSY approval, she added.

She went on to discuss some more government initiatives designed to raise medical education standards nationwide and expand access to medical care, including the following:

•  157 new medical colleges have been approved, of which 97 are presently operational, under the Centrally Supported Scheme (CSS) for Establishment of New Medical College by Upgrading District/Referral Hospital.
•  CSS for the purpose of bolstering/upgrading current State Government/Central Government Medical Schools in order to increase the number of MBBS (UG) and PG seats. Through these Programs, assistance has been given to enhance the number of MBBS seats in 77 institutions, 4058 PG seats in 72 colleges, and 3858 PG seats in 60 colleges across the nation.
•  Among the 75 projects that have been accepted for the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) scheme’s “Upgradation of Government Medical Colleges by Construction of Super Specialty Blocks,” 60 have already been finished.
• 22 AIIMS have received approval under the Central Sector Plan for the establishment of new AIIMS. Undergraduate classes have started in 19 of these.
• Reduction of requirements for faculty, staff, bed strength, and other infrastructure while setting up a medical college.
• To address the faculty deficit, the DNB qualification has been recognised for appointment as teaching faculty.
• Raising the retirement age to 70 years for those seeking work as teachers, deans, principals, or directors in medical colleges.