Government to add 10,023 new MBBS, PG seats across India; Cabinet approves Rs. 15,034 crore (US$ 1.69 billion)

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, has approved a significant expansion of India’s medical education capacity, targeting the addition of 10,023 new undergraduate and postgraduate (PG) seats across government medical institutions. Under Phase III of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for strengthening and upgrading State and Central Government medical colleges, standalone PG institutes, and government hospitals, 5,000 new PG seats will be created. Simultaneously, the CSS for upgrading existing government medical colleges will add 5,023 Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) seats, with the cost ceiling per seat enhanced to Rs. 1.5 crore (US$ 169090.3). The total outlay for both schemes from FY26 to FY29 is Rs. 15,034.5 crore (US$ 1.69 billion), with the central government contributing Rs. 10,303.2 crore (US$ 1.16 billion) and states providing Rs. 4,731.3 crore (US$ 533.34 million). The initiative is expected to boost specialist doctor availability, introduce new medical specialties, and strengthen healthcare capacity nationwide.
The schemes aim to improve access to quality healthcare, particularly in underserved and remote regions, while raising the standard of medical education to meet global benchmarks. Key outcomes include enhanced opportunities for students, balanced regional distribution of healthcare resources, and employment generation across doctors, faculty, paramedical staff, researchers, administrators, and support services. By FY29, 5,000 PG and 5,023 MBBS seats will be added, supported by updated guidelines and competency-based faculty recruitment under the New Medical Institution (Qualifications of Faculty) Regulations 2025. This expansion builds on India’s existing 808 medical colleges and 1,23,700 MBBS seats, further strengthening the healthcare system and ensuring broader access to high-quality medical services nationwide.

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