The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has revealed that the number of MBBS seats in Jammu and Kashmir has significantly increased from 500 in 2014-15 to 1,339 in 2025.
Responding to a question by Basavaraj Bommai, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patelstated that the National Medical Commission (NMC) has played a crucial role in expanding medical education infrastructure across the country.
National-Level Expansion of Medical Education
The Minister highlighted that the number of medical colleges in India has increased from 404 in 2014 to 780 at present. Similarly, MBBS seats have risen from 54,348 in 2014 to 1,18,190, marking an increase of 63,842 seats.
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Key Government Initiatives to Strengthen Medical Education
To address the growing demand for medical professionals, the government has undertaken several initiatives, including:
- Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS):
- Establishment of 157 new medical colleges by upgrading district/referral hospitals, of which 131 are already functional.
- Strengthening existing government medical colleges, leading to an increase of 4,977 MBBS seats in 83 colleges at a cost of ₹5,972.20 crore.
- Addition of 4,058 PG seats in 72 colleges (Phase I) with an investment of ₹1,498.43 crore.
- Another 4,000 PG seats in 65 colleges (Phase II) with an allocated budget of ₹4,478.25 crore.
- Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY):
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- Upgradation of government medical colleges through 75 Super Specialty Blocks.
- Establishment of 22 AIIMS institutions, with undergraduate courses started in 19 of them.
- Additional Measures:
- DNB qualification recognized for teaching faculty positions to address faculty shortages.
- Age limit extension for faculty appointments, deans, principals, and directors in medical colleges up to 70 years.
The expansion of medical colleges and MBBS seats in J&K reflects the government’s commitment to improving healthcare accessibility and medical education in the region.
