Lok Sabha Question No. 1875 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-29
Subject: Seats in Medical Colleges
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Badruddin Ajmal, Kirron  Kher

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1875 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29 TH NOVEMBER, 2019

## SEATS IN MEDICAL COL LEGES

## 1875. SHRI M. BADRUDDIN AJMAL: SHRIMATI KIRRON KHER:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is shortage of MBBS doctors in the country and if so, the details thereo
- (b) the number of medical colleges in India and the number of docto rs being produced every year;
- (c) the number of seats, both in undergraduate and postgraduate courses, in medical educ institutes/medical colleges that have been introduced in the last three years;
- (d) whether a large number of aspirants for medical exam cannot be selected despite abiliti because of less number of seats in medical colleges, if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether the Government proposes to address this problem and makeup for the sh ortage of doctors and if so, the details thereof and the steps taken in this regard?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

- (a) : As  per  information  provided  by  Medical  Council  of  India (MC ),  there  are  a  total 11,59,309  allopathic  doctors  registered  with  the  State  Medical  Councils/Medical  Counci India as on 31 st March, 2019. Assuming 80% availability, it is estimated that around 9.27 l doctors may be actually available for active service. It gives a doctor - population ratio of 1:1456 as per current population estimate of 1.35 billion, which is lower than the WHO norm of 1:

Shortage of doctors in public and private sector varies in different States. Healthbeing a State subject , the primary responsibility to ensure availability of doctors in public health lies with the State/UT Governments and no data with regard to shortage of doctors in the is maintained centrally.

- (b) to (e):     At present, there are 539 me dical coll ges in the country with an intake capacity o 80,312  MBBS  seats  annually.  In  the  last  three  years,  15800  undergraduate  and  76 postgraduate  medical  seats  have  been  increased.  Besides, 2242 DNB  seats  have  also  been

increased during the period. Further, the Central Government has taken several steps to increas the number of medical seats in the country. These include:

- i. The ratio of teachers to students for Professor has been revised from 1:1 to 1:2 MD/MS disciplines and 1:1 to 1:3 in all c linical subjects in Government funded medical colleges and in Private medical colleges with 15 years standing. Further, for Ass Professor, the said ratio has been revised from 1:1 to 1:2 and to1:3 if he/she is a unit head  in  all  clinical  subjects  in Government  medical  colleges  and  in  Private  medical colleges with 15 years standing.   This would result in increase in number of PG s the country.
- ii. DNB  qualification  has  been  recognized  for  appointment  as  faculty  to  take  care shortage of faculty .
- iii. Enhancement of maximum intake capacity at MBBS level from 150 to 250.
- iv. Relaxation in the norms of setting up of Medical College in terms of requirement faculty, staff, bed strength and other infrastructure.
- v. Minimum requirement of land for establishment of medical college in metropolitan cities as notified under Article 243P(c) of the Constitution of India has been dispensed wi
- vi. Strengthening/upgradation of State Government Medical Colleges for starting new P courses/Increase of PG seats.
- vii. Establishment of New Medical Colleges by upgrading district/referral preferably in underserved districts of the country.

hospit

- viii. Strengthening/ upgradation of existing State Government/Central Government Medical Colleges to increase MBBS seats.
- ix. Enhancement of age limit for appointment/ extension/ re - employment  against  posts  of teachers/dean/principal/ director in medical colleges upto 70 years.
- x. Provision has been made in the regulations to offer less number of seats to the ap medical colle ge, in case, it falls short of minimum prescribed requirements of app intake to avoid wastage of human resources.
- xi. Consortium (a group of 2 or upto 4 private organizations) has been allowed to estab medical college.

……………………….