Lok Sabha Question No. 2096 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-01
Subject: Availability of UG and PG Medical Seats
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2096 TO BE ANSWERED ON 1 ST AUGUST, 2025

## AVAILABILITY OF UG AND PG MEDICAL SEATS

## 2096. SHRI GURMEET SINGH MEET HAYER:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government maintains data on the current doctor-to-population ratio in the country and the manner in which this ratio has changed during the last five years and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has records on the per capita availability of undergraduate (MBBS) and postgraduate (MD/MS/DNB) medical seats and the manner in which these have improved during the same period;
- (c) the details of the specific measures taken by the Government to expand the number of medical colleges and seats across States, particularly in underserved or rural areas;
- (d) whether the Government has reviewed international benchmarks on doctor-patient ratios and if so, the manner in which India compares with countries like the US, Germany and Australia; and

(e) whether the Government has data on doctors trained in India who have left India for better opportunities overseas during the last five years and if so, the details thereof?

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

(a) to (e): There are 13,86,157 registered allopathic doctors and 7,51,768 registered practitioners in the AYUSH system of medicine. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends a doctor to population ratio of 1:1000. Assuming that 80% of registered practitioners in both the allopathic and AYUSH systems are available, the doctor-population ratio in the country is estimated to be 1:811 which was 1:845 in the year 2020.

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 with preference to underserved areas:

- i. Centrally Sponsored Scheme for establishment of new medical college by upgrading
2. 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, 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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