Lok Sabha Question No. 1976 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-02
Subject: MBBS Seats
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Smt. Kanimozhi Karunanidhi

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1976 TO BE ANSWERED ON 2 nd AUGUST, 2024

## MBBS SEATS

## 1976. SMT. KANIMOZHI KARUNANIDHI:

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

(a) the details of doctor to patient ratio and the plan to achieve the ratio of 1:1000 recommended by WHO in India;

(b) whether it is a fact that the National Medical Council has put a cap of 100 MBBS seats per 10 lakhs of population and if so, the details thereof;

- (c) whether the Government has taken into account the out-migration of doctors/doctors not practising medicine after MBBS, if so, the details thereof; and

(d) whether guidelines have an impact on the State of Tamil Nadu and funds pending to be received by the State for AIIMS Madurai, if so, the details thereof?

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

(a) to (d): As per information provided by National Medical Commission (NMC), there are 13,86,136 allopathic doctors registered with the State Medical Councils and the National Medical Commission (NMC) as on July, 2024. Assuming 80% availability of registered allopathic doctors and around 5.65 lakh AYUSH doctors, the doctor-population ratio in the country is around 1:836 which is better than the WHO standard of 1:1000.

The government has increased number of medical colleges and subsequently increased MBBS seats. There is an increase of 88% in Medical Colleges from 387 before 2014 to 731 as of now. Further, there is an increase of 118% in MBBS seats from 51,348 before 2014 to 1,12,112 as of now and increase of 133% in PG seats from 31,185 before 2014 to 72,627 as of now.

The measures/steps taken by the Government to increase the doctor/medical professional in the country include:-

- Centrally Sponsored Scheme for establishment of new medical college by upgrading district/ referral hospital under which 109 new medical colleges are already functional out of 157 approved medical colleges.
- Centrally Sponsored Scheme for strengthening/ upgradation of existing State Government/Central Government Medical Colleges to increase MBBS and PG seats.
- Under 'Upgradation of Government Medical Colleges by construction of Super Specialty Blocks' of Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) scheme, a total of 75 projects have been approved, of which 66 projects are complete.
- Under the Central Sector Scheme for setting up of new AIIMS, 22 AIIMS have been approved. Undergraduate courses have started in 19 of these.
- DNB qualification has been recognized for appointment as faculty to take care of shortage of faculty.
- Enhancement of age limit for appointment/ extension/ re-employment against posts of teachers/Dean/Principal/ Director in medical colleges upto 70 years.

As informed by the National Medical Commission (NMC), provision regarding the ratio of 100 MBBS seats for 10 lakh population in the State/UT, has been put on hold upto academic year 2025-26 vide public notice dated 15.11.2023.

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