In a major stride toward fulfilling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day 2024 pledge to create 75,000 new medical seats over the next five years, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has approved 10,650 new MBBS seats for the academic year 2024-25. The expansion marks a crucial milestone in strengthening India’s healthcare and medical education infrastructure, ensuring more opportunities for aspiring doctors nationwide.
10,650 New MBBS Seats Approved Across 41 Medical Colleges
According to NMC Chief Dr. Abhijat Sheth, the approval follows an extensive review of 170 applications submitted by medical institutions seeking expansion of undergraduate (UG) capacity. Of these, 41 applications came from government medical colleges, while 129 were from private institutions. The final approval has resulted in the addition of 10,650 new MBBS seats across the country.
With this development, the total number of MBBS seats in India now stands at 137,600 for the 2024-25 academic year, including those in Institutes of National Importance (INIs) such as AIIMS and JIPMER. The increase accompanies the establishment of 41 new medical colleges, bringing the total number of medical institutions in India to 816 — a historic high.
Postgraduate Seats Also Set to Rise
The NMC has also received over 3,500 applications for new and renewal of postgraduate (PG) seats, Dr. Sheth revealed. The commission anticipates an increase of around 5,000 PG seats, taking the total to 67,000 PG seats nationwide.
When combined, the rise in UG and PG seats this year is expected to be nearly 15,000, marking one of the most significant expansions in India’s medical education system in recent years.
Streamlined Processes and Transparent Approvals
Despite minor delays in final approvals and counselling, NMC officials assured that all procedures would be completed within established timelines. A comprehensive blueprint for accreditation, examination schedules, and seat matrix approvals for the upcoming academic session will be released soon.
Dr. Sheth also noted that the portal for 2025-26 medical college applications will open in early November 2025, ensuring institutions have ample time to submit proposals.
Significantly, this academic year marks the first time in recent history that all appeals against the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) decisions were resolved without any court interventions—a move reflecting greater administrative efficiency and transparency within NMC.
Focus on Research and Quality Enhancement
To further strengthen the quality of medical education, Dr. Sheth announced that the National Medical Commission is working on integrating clinical research into the core MBBS curriculum. In collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), NMC aims to enhance India’s clinical research ecosystem and foster innovation among future doctors.
“The NMC’s partnership with ICMR will help medical students develop scientific thinking and contribute to evidence-based medicine,” Dr. Sheth said, emphasizing that the initiative aligns with India’s goal of becoming a global hub for medical education and healthcare innovation.
Expanding Healthcare Capacity for India’s Future
The expansion of medical seats underscores the government’s broader vision to build a robust healthcare infrastructure and address the growing demand for skilled medical professionals. With India’s population crossing 1.4 billion, the availability of trained doctors is critical to ensuring accessible and affordable healthcare.
The 10,650 new MBBS seats approved by NMC for 2024-25 not only enhance capacity but also signify a decisive step toward making medical education more inclusive, equitable, and research-oriented—a cornerstone of India’s healthcare transformation journey.
