Lok Sabha Question No. 3433 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-08
Subject: Medical Seats for UG and PG Courses
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Jagadish Shettar

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3433 TO BE ANSWERED ON 8 TH AUGUST, 2025

## MEDICALSEATS FOR UG AND PG COURSES

## 3433. SHRI JAGADISH SHETTAR:

Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether any measures are being contemplated to increase the intake of Medical Seats for Under-Graduates and Post Graduate Medical seats to meet the demand of the increasing population in the Country; and (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SMT. ANUPRIYAPATEL)

(a)&(b): The government has increased number of Medical Colleges, Under Graduate(UG)and Post Graduate(PG) seats. There is an increase in Medical Colleges from 387 to 780; UG seats from 51,348 to 1,15,900 and PG seats from 31,185 to 74,306 from 2014 to as on date.

To expand the number of medical colleges, the Government is implementing following schemes :

- i. Centrally Sponsored Scheme for establishment of new medical college by upgrading district/ referral hospital under which 131 new medical colleges are functional out of 157 approved medical colleges.
- ii. Centrally Sponsored Scheme for strengthening/ upgradation of existing State Government/Central Government Medical Colleges to increase MBBS and PG seats.
- iii. Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) scheme has a component related to 'Upgradation of Government Medical Colleges by construction of Super Specialty Blocks/Trauma care centres, etc.' Out of 75 projects, 71 projects are complete under this component. The other component is for setting up of new AIIMS in which 22 AIIMS have been approved.

Further, National Medical Commission (NMC) has relaxed infrastructure/faculty norms for establishment of new medical colleges and/or increase of Under Graduate (UG)/ Post Graduate (PG) seats, which includes:

- i. Mandatory land requirement for setting up a medical college has been removed.
- ii. The number of subjects in the MBBS curriculum has been reduced from twenty three (23) to twenty (20).
- iii. Stepwise and need based approach has been permitted for increase in infrastructure, equipment and manpower.
- iv. PG courses can now be started with two (2) seats with a minimum number of twenty (20) beds and only two faculty without the need for senior resident as against the previous requirement of three faculty and a senior resident.
- v. Medical institutions have been allowed to apply for starting of PG courses after one year of starting UG courses.
- vi. DNB qualification has been recognized for appointment as faculty to take care of shortage of faculty.
- vii. Enhancement of age limit for appointment/ extension/ re-employment against posts of teachers/Dean/Principal/ Director in medical colleges upto 70 years.
8. viii.Non-medical graduates with MSc and PhD (relevant medical) qualifications from NMC-recognized/accredited Medical Colleges/Institutes can be appointed as faculty.
- ix. Non-teaching Consultants/Specialists /Medical Officers and Diploma holders have been made eligible for Assistant Professor.

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