India has witnessed a significant expansion in medical education infrastructure, with the National Medical Commission (NMC) approving 265 new medical colleges out of 443 applications received over the past five years, according to data shared in Parliament.
Union Minister of State for Health Anupriya Patel informed the Lok Sabha that approvals have steadily increased, especially in the last two academic years, reflecting the government’s push to strengthen healthcare capacity across the country.
Year-wise Applications and Approvals Show Upward Trend
The data highlights a consistent flow of applications and approvals for new medical colleges:
- 2021–22: 82 applications received, 48 approved
- 2022–23: 83 received, 46 approved
- 2023–24: 86 received, 54 approved
- 2024–25: 112 received, 74 approved (highest approvals)
- 2025–26: 80 received, 43 approved
The spike in 2024–25 indicates a peak phase in medical infrastructure expansion, followed by a moderate dip in the current academic cycle.
Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu Among Top States
State-wise data reveals that larger states continue to dominate in terms of total undergraduate (UG) medical colleges.
- Maharashtra leads with 85 colleges in 2025–26, up from 62 in 2021–22
- Uttar Pradesh follows with 88 colleges, showing one of the biggest jumps
- Tamil Nadu maintains strong numbers with 78 colleges
- Karnataka and Telangana also show steady growth
Emerging states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal have recorded notable increases in recent years.
Smaller States and UTs See Gradual Expansion
Union Territories and smaller states such as Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, and Sikkim have largely maintained stable numbers, while northeastern states like Assam and Meghalaya have seen gradual growth.
NMC Approval Mandatory for New Medical Colleges
The Minister clarified that as per the 2023 regulations, no medical college can be established without prior approval from the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB), functioning under the National Medical Commission.
This applies to all applicants, including private entities seeking to establish deemed medical institutions, ensuring uniform standards in medical education.
Focus on Strengthening Healthcare Workforce
The steady rise in medical colleges aligns with India’s broader goal of improving doctor-to-patient ratios and expanding access to quality healthcare education.
With states like Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh leading the expansion, the coming years are expected to see further growth, especially in underserved regions.
