New Delhi: The National Medical Commission (NMC) has approved a total of 118 new medical colleges across India over the past two years, Union Minister of State for Health Anupriya Patel informed the Rajya Sabha. The expansion marks a significant push toward strengthening the country’s medical education infrastructure and addressing the rising demand for trained healthcare professionals.
Strong Growth in 2024 and 2025
According to the Minister, 74 new medical colleges received approval during the 2024 academic year, followed by 44 more in 2025. This steady growth reflects the government’s continued emphasis on expanding healthcare capacity and improving access to medical training in various states.
Uttar Pradesh Leads in New Medical Colleges
Among the newly approved institutions, Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number with 21 medical colleges added in two years. Maharashtra followed with 17 medical colleges, while Rajasthan saw the addition of 14. Telangana accounted for 10 new colleges, Madhya Pradesh added 8, and West Bengal received approvals for 6.
State-Wise Expansion Across the Country
Further approvals include 4 new medical colleges each in Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Karnataka and Kerala. States such as Haryana, Assam, Gujarat and Punjab added 3 colleges each, whereas Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh and Meghalaya added 2 each. Additionally, one medical college was approved in Jammu & Kashmir, Delhi and Jharkhand.
Parliamentary Inquiry on Medical Education Expansion
The data was shared in response to questions raised by MP Sumitra Balmik, who sought details regarding the number of medical colleges established in the last two years, state-wise distribution, and the increase in both undergraduate and postgraduate medical seats. She also sought information about future expansion plans.
Details of Newly Added UG and PG Seats
Responding to the query, the Minister provided comprehensive state-wise data on newly added medical colleges and seat enhancements. She confirmed that 8,641 undergraduate seats were added in the 2024–25 academic year, along with 11,732 undergraduate seats in 2025–26, significantly increasing opportunities for MBBS aspirants.
Substantial Increase in Postgraduate Seats
Alongside undergraduate expansions, postgraduate medical education also saw considerable growth. The government has added 4,188 PG seats in 2024–25 and 3,393 PG seats in the 2025–26 academic year so far. The rise in PG seats aims to address specialist shortages and strengthen advanced medical care systems across the country.
Continued Focus on Strengthening Medical Infrastructure
The Minister reiterated that the approval of new medical colleges and the expansion of UG and PG seats form part of the government’s long-term strategy to improve healthcare availability, enhance medical training and ensure a robust healthcare workforce nationwide. The ongoing additions signal a sustained commitment to strengthening India’s medical education ecosystem.
