This expansion is designed to increase the availability of doctors and specialists across the country. It will not only enhance undergraduate capacity but also create additional postgraduate seats, enabling the introduction of new specialties in government institutions. In the long run, the scheme aims to bridge the healthcare gap in underserved rural and remote areas.
According to officials, the plan will improve access to quality healthcare, generate employment for doctors, faculty, paramedical staff, and researchers, and strengthen India’s health system to meet both current and emerging challenges.
Key Benefits
- More opportunities for students to pursue medical education in India.
- Improved quality of training, aligned with global standards.
- Steady supply of specialist doctors across critical disciplines.
- Enhanced healthcare access in underserved regions.
- Employment generation in teaching, clinical, and support services.
- Contribution to India’s socio-economic development.
Implementation Strategy
The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare will issue detailed guidelines for implementing the scheme. The government has set a clear target: to increase medical education capacity by over 10,000 seats by 2029. This will leverage existing infrastructure, ensuring cost-effectiveness and regional balance in healthcare distribution.
Background and Growth in Medical Education
India today has 808 medical colleges — the highest in the world — with a total intake of 1,23,700 MBBS seats. Over the last decade, MBBS seats have grown by 127%, while postgraduate seats have increased by 143%. Despite this rapid expansion, some regions still face shortages of doctors and specialists.
The government has also approved 22 new AIIMS under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), which are playing a key role in training high-standard medical professionals. New faculty regulations introduced in 2025 are expected to expand the pool of qualified teachers in medical education.
This expansion of seats reflects India’s long-term strategy to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by building a resilient healthcare system that can serve its 1.4 billion people effectively.