Cabinet approves over 10,000 UG, PG medical seats

The union cabinet has approved exapnsion of undergradute and postgradute medical education seats under the phase III Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS). The move aims to strengthen the existing state, central government medical colleges, and standalone PG institutes by increasing 5,000 PG and 5,023 MBBS seats with a cost ceiling of Rs 150 crore per seat.

Detailed guidelines will be issued by the ministry of health and family welfare (MoH&FW) for the implementation of the schemes. The schemes aim to increase postgraduate seats and undergraduate seats in government institutions by 2028-2029 and strengthen the overall availability of doctors across the country.

According to the official PIB press release, the total financial implications of these schemes are Rs 15,034.50 crore for a period from 2025-26 to 2028-29, of which the central share is Rs 10,303.20 crore and the state share is Rs 4731.30 crore.

“This initiative will significantly augment the undergraduate medical capacity; availability of specialist doctors by creating additional postgraduate seats; and enable the introduction of new specialties across government medical institutions,” the official PIB press release said.

Also read NMC Seat Matrix 2025: 1.23 lakh MBBS seats in 808 medical colleges; 6,850 added, over 1,000 dropped

Increase in medical seats

The major outcome expected from the schemes is listed below.

• More seats for students: This increases the chances for students to study medicine in India.
• Quality education: Improves medical training to match international standards.
• More doctors, more medical tourism: Helps India become a top spot for affordable healthcare and earn foreign exchange.
• Healthcare in remote areas: Reduces the shortage of doctors in rural and far-off places.
• More job opportunities: Creates employment for doctors, nurses, staff, researchers, and more.
• Stronger health system: Makes the healthcare system more prepared and supports overall development.
• Equal facilities across India: Ensures all states and union territories have good medical infrastructure.

Prime minister Narendra Modi posted on his official X account and said: “Approval of Phase-III of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme will add significant PG and UG medical seats. This will improve our healthcare system and enhance medical education infrastructure. It will ensure that every part of India has availability of skilled doctors.”