India’s medical education capacity has witnessed a significant boost, with a total of 1,28,976 MBBS seats and 68,175 postgraduate (PG) seats available for the academic year 2025-26, as per data shared in the Lok Sabha by Union Minister of State for Health, Anupriya Patel, citing figures from the National Medical Commission.
Steady Growth in MBBS and PG Seats Over Five Years
The data highlights a consistent rise in medical seats across India over the last five years:
- MBBS seats increased from 92,065 in 2021-22 to 1,28,976 in 2025-26
- PG seats rose from 47,419 to 68,175 during the same period
This expansion reflects the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and medical education capacity nationwide.
Karnataka Leads in MBBS Seats, UP and Tamil Nadu Close Behind
Among states, Karnataka tops the list with the highest number of undergraduate (UG) medical seats at 13,944 for 2025-26. It is followed by:
- Uttar Pradesh – 13,425 seats
- Tamil Nadu – 13,050 seats
- Maharashtra – 12,824 seats
- Telangana – 9,540 seats
- Gujarat – 7,525 seats
On the lower end, smaller states like Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, and Nagaland have around 100 UG seats each.
PG Seats: Karnataka Again on Top, Maharashtra Second
In postgraduate medical education, Karnataka continues to dominate with 8,442 PG seats. Other leading states include:
- Maharashtra – 7,187 seats
- Tamil Nadu – 6,369 seats
- Uttar Pradesh – 6,114 seats
- Andhra Pradesh – 4,206 seats
- Telangana – 3,997 seats
Meanwhile, the lowest PG seat availability is seen in Nagaland (0 seats), Mizoram (10 seats), and Andaman and Nicobar Islands (13 seats).
Government Responds to Queries on Health Schemes
The information was provided in response to questions raised in the Lok Sabha regarding seat distribution, as well as concerns about implementation of central health schemes such as:
- Ayushman Bharat–PMJAY
- National Health Mission
The queries also focused on possible irregularities, delays, or denial of benefits in the Perambalur Lok Sabha constituency.
No Grievances Reported in Perambalur Constituency
According to the Minister, the state government has reported no grievances related to irregularities or denial of benefits under centrally sponsored health schemes in the Perambalur region.
However, she emphasized that empanelled hospitals are obligated to provide treatment to eligible beneficiaries. Any denial may lead to strict action, including de-empanelment.
Grievance Redressal Mechanism in Place
Patients facing issues can file complaints through:
- The Central Grievance Redressal Management System (CGRMS)
- National helpline number 14555
All complaints are addressed through a structured three-tier grievance redressal mechanism, ensuring accountability and transparency in healthcare delivery.
Focus on Strengthening India’s Healthcare Workforce
The sharp rise in both UG and PG medical seats underlines India’s push to build a stronger healthcare workforce. However, disparities across states—especially in the Northeast and smaller regions—highlight the need for more balanced distribution in the coming years.
