KEM Hospital faculty: India’s medical college boom tripled annual MBBS intake, but doctors still short

Dr Avinash Supe

Medical education in India has witnessed remarkable transformation over the past decade, marked by significant expansion – 256 colleges in 2006 to over 776 colleges today, with over 1,18,180 undergraduate (UG) seats and over 74,306 postgraduate (PG) seats; curricular reforms – competency-based medical education 2.0 in 2023; governance changes; and evolving employment prospects. These developments collectively aim to democratise access, improve quality, and align medical training with the healthcare needs of the nation.

In view of this rapid expansion, it is necessary to review the challenges of this progress and its impact on the future.

Medical colleges, MBBS expansion

Historically, India’s medical education was dominated by private institutions, with public medical colleges growing slowly from 98 in 1971 to about 107 by the early 2010s. However, a paradigm shift has occurred recently, with the government focusing on strengthening public medical infrastructure. Since 2014, over 317 new public medical colleges have been established, nearly tripling the number of public sector MBBS seats and surpassing private colleges in 2019-20.

This expansion aims to address the acute shortage of healthcare professionals, especially in rural and underserved areas, thereby democratising medical education and improving healthcare accessibility across the country.

The government’s initiative to sanction 157 new medical colleges under Centrally Sponsored Schemes and establish six new AIIMS in underrepresented regions further emphasizes the commitment to equitable geographic distribution of medical education facilities. This expansion not only increases the quantity of medical seats but also fosters inclusivity by reducing socio-economic barriers for aspiring medical students.

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CBME: Curricular Changes

In 2019, India introduced Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) for undergraduate medical training, a major curricular reform aimed at producing competent, holistic doctors. The CBME curriculum incorporates new elements such as foundation courses, attitude and communication modules (AETCOM), self-directed learning, integrated teaching, and electives.

These changes emphasize learner-centered education, clinical competence, communication skills, professionalism, and lifelong learning, aligning Indian medical education with international standards and societal health needs.

While the implementation of CBME faces challenges like faculty shortages and infrastructure gaps, it represents a progressive step towards producing doctors who are not only clinically skilled but also socially responsible and adaptable.

MCI, NMC and NEET PG

Governance reforms have been pivotal in transforming medical education quality and accountability. The replacement of the Medical Council of India (MCI) with the National Medical Commission (NMC) in 2020 marked a historic overhaul.

The NMC, selected on merit rather than election, aims to bring transparency, quality assurance, and equitable regulation to medical education. Key initiatives include including clinical scenario-based questions in NEET PG, prescribing fee guidelines, accrediting community health providers, and rating medical colleges.
These reforms are designed to curb malpractices, enhance institutional accountability, and ensure that medical education is affordable, accessible, and globally competitive.

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MBBS graduates, employment prospects

In spite of this rapid expansion, overall availability of physicians in India are less than needed as per international standards. The demand for medical professionals in India remains high, driven by a growing population and expanding healthcare sector projected to reach $610 billion by 2026.

MBBS graduates have diverse career options, including clinical practice, medical officers, surgeons, researchers, and educators. Opportunities for postgraduate education (MD, MS, PhD) continue to expand, supported by increased PG seats in medical colleges. The pandemic underscored the critical need for skilled healthcare workers, boosting employment demand and salaries for medical graduates.

There is growing demand for Indian doctors from all over the world. Graduates from public medical colleges are particularly encouraged to serve in rural areas, helping bridge healthcare disparities.

Medical Education: The road ahead

The future of medical education in India looks promising with continued government investment in infrastructure, curricular innovation, and regulatory reforms. The focus on equitable access and quality training aims to produce a competent, diverse medical workforce capable of addressing India’s complex health challenges.

Further integration of technology, especially artificial intelligence, research opportunities, and global collaborations may enhance the scope and standards of medical education. There is a need for strengthening newer topics such as AI, simulation and critical thinking in our current curriculum. Strengthening faculty development and infrastructure will be crucial to fully realise the potential of competency-based education.

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In conclusion, India’s medical education system is undergoing a transformative phase characterised by expansion, modernization, and reform. These efforts are expected to democratise medical education, improve healthcare delivery, and open broad career prospects for future medical professionals, positioning India as a global leader in medical education and healthcare.

Dr Avinash Supe is a renowned gastroenterologist based in Mumbai. He has served as the dean of Sion Hospital and KEM Hospital as well as the Maharashtra director of medical education. He is currently Professor Emeritus at KEM Hospital. This piece first appeared in the 200th issue of the Careers360 magazine, published in August 2025