India’s medical education system is undergoing one of its most remarkable expansions. The National Medical Commission (NMC) has officially approved 10,650 new MBBS seats and 41 new medical colleges across the country for the 2024–25 academic year. This decision is a part of the government’s long-term healthcare strategy and aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day 2024 pledge to add 75,000 new medical seats within five years.
The development not only increases educational opportunities for aspiring doctors but also strengthens India’s commitment to building a stronger, more accessible healthcare system.
Why Did NMC Approve 10,650 New MBBS Seats in 2024–25?
The approval comes as part of a national effort to address the shortage of medical professionals and improve the doctor-patient ratio in India. With a growing population and increased healthcare demand, the need for qualified doctors has never been greater. According to Dr. Abhijat Sheth, Chairperson of NMC, the commission received 170 applications for undergraduate (UG) seat expansion 41 from government institutions and 129 from private colleges. After a detailed review and inspection process, 10,650 MBBS seats were approved for the upcoming academic year. This major expansion will help increase opportunities for students in states that previously had limited access to medical education and healthcare infrastructure.
How Many Medical Colleges Does India Have Now?
With the addition of 41 new medical colleges, India now has a total of 816 medical institutions. This is a record number, showing the country’s strong focus on expanding healthcare training infrastructure.
These colleges will begin admitting students from the 2024–25 academic session, significantly enhancing the country’s medical education capacity. Many of the new institutions are located in underserved or rural regions, ensuring that quality education and healthcare facilities reach every corner of India.
What Is the Total MBBS Seat Count for 2024–25?
After this latest approval, the total number of MBBS seats in India has reached 137,600, including seats offered in Institutes of National Importance (INIs) like AIIMS, JIPMER, and PGI Chandigarh.
This record figure makes India one of the world’s largest producers of medical graduates, reflecting its commitment to both educational expansion and healthcare development.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Total MBBS Seats Approved (2024–25) | 10,650 |
| Total Medical Colleges | 816 |
| Total MBBS Seats (Including INIs) | 137,600 |
| Government College Applications | 41 |
| Private College Applications | 129 |
| Expected PG Seats Increase | 5,000 |
| Total PG Seats (After Expansion) | ~67,000 |
How Will This Affect Postgraduate Medical Education?
The NMC’s plan is not limited to undergraduate programs. It has also received over 3,500 applications for postgraduate (PG) seat approvals and renewals. Officials expect that an additional 5,000 PG seats will soon be approved, taking the total number of postgraduate medical seats to around 67,000.
This expansion at both UG and PG levels means a total increase of around 15,000 medical seats in 2024–25 alone. It will ensure that India continues to produce skilled doctors, specialists, and researchers who can serve in both public and private healthcare sectors.
What Steps Is NMC Taking to Ensure Quality Medical Education?
In addition to increasing seats, the National Medical Commission is also emphasizing the quality of medical education. According to Dr. Sheth, the NMC is planning to integrate clinical research into the MBBS curriculum, allowing students to gain hands-on research experience.
To make this vision a reality, the commission is working on a collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The partnership aims to strengthen research infrastructure, encourage innovation, and foster a research-driven learning environment in medical colleges.
This move ensures that Indian doctors are not only skilled clinicians but also contributors to medical science and research at the global level.
When Will the Next Round of Applications Open?
Despite minor delays in the final approval and counselling process this year, NMC officials have assured that all procedures will be completed within the established timelines. A blueprint for seat matrix approval, accreditation, and examinations will soon be published for transparency. Additionally, the portal for 2025–26 medical college applications will open in early November 2025, allowing institutions to apply for new colleges, seat increases, or renewals in advance. One of the notable achievements this year is that, for the first time, all appeals against MARB (Medical Assessment and Rating Board) decisions were resolved without any court interventions, a sign of greater efficiency and accountability in the approval system.
How Does This Expansion Support India’s Healthcare Goals?
This large-scale expansion is not merely about numbers. It aligns with India’s broader goal to build a robust healthcare system that meets the needs of a population exceeding 1.4 billion. By increasing the number of trained medical professionals, the NMC is directly contributing to improving healthcare access, especially in rural and semi-urban regions. It also supports the government’s vision under the National Health Policy, which focuses on ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare and promoting education as a tool for national growth.
Over the years, the shortage of doctors has been a major challenge in India’s public health system. The new MBBS and PG seats will help bridge this gap, enabling more students to pursue medicine domestically rather than seeking opportunities abroad.
What Does This Mean for Future Medical Aspirants?
For aspiring doctors, the approval of 10,650 new MBBS seats is a massive boost. It means increased chances of admission, more affordable options, and greater regional representation in medical education. Students from smaller towns and rural backgrounds will now have better access to government and private medical colleges in their own states, reducing dependency on limited central institutions. The expansion also opens doors for better internships, improved hospital training facilities, and more diverse patient exposure, key elements in developing competent medical professionals.
FAQs
1. How many new MBBS seats has NMC approved for 2024–25?
The NMC has approved 10,650 new MBBS seats across India for the 2024–25 academic session.
2. How many new medical colleges were added in 2025?
A total of 41 new medical colleges have been approved, increasing India’s total to 816 institutions.
3. What is the total number of MBBS seats in India now?
With the latest expansion, India now has around 137,600 MBBS seats, including INI institutions.
4. When will admissions for the new MBBS seats begin?
Admissions for these newly approved seats will start with the 2024–25 academic year through NEET-UG counselling.
5. Are both government and private colleges included in the approval?
Yes, NMC approved seat expansions in both government (41 applications) and private (129 applications) colleges.
6. What is the total number of postgraduate (PG) medical seats after expansion?
After approval, India will have approximately 67,000 PG seats across medical institutions.
7. How is NMC ensuring the quality of medical education?
NMC is planning to integrate clinical research into the MBBS curriculum with support from ICMR.
8. When will the NMC application portal for 2025–26 open?
The NMC portal for new seat and college applications for 2025–26 will open in early November 2025.
9. How does this expansion support India’s healthcare system?
It helps reduce the doctor-patient ratio and improves healthcare accessibility in rural and urban areas.
10. What is the significance of NMC’s collaboration with ICMR?
This partnership aims to promote medical research and innovation in India’s medical education system.