New Delhi: On September 24, 2025, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the addition of 10,023 new medical seats across existing government colleges and hospitals.
This initiative involves an investment of ₹15,034 crore, marking a major step towards the government’s vision of creating 75,000 additional medical seats within the next five years.
Doubling of Medical Colleges and Surge in Seats
India’s medical education infrastructure has seen significant growth over the past decade. The number of medical colleges has doubled to 808 in 2025-26 from 387 in 2013-14.
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Undergraduate seats increased by 141%, while postgraduate seats rose by 144% during the same period. The expansion aims to ensure universal health coverage for the country’s 1.4 billion population.
10,023 New Medical Seats Approved
The Cabinet’s decision sanctioned 5,000 postgraduate and 5,023 undergraduate medical seats across existing government institutions by 2028-29.
Of the total investment of ₹15,034 crore, the Union Government will provide 68.5% (₹10,303.20 crore), while the remaining 31.5% (₹4,731.30 crore) will be funded by states. The cost per seat is estimated at ₹1.5 crore.
Focus on Underserved Communities
The initiative is designed to strengthen healthcare delivery in rural, tribal, and underserved regions of the country. By leveraging existing infrastructure, the plan ensures cost efficiency while improving equitable distribution of the medical workforce.
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Benefits of India Medical Education Expansion
- Increased opportunities for aspiring medical students in India
- Enhanced quality of medical education to meet global standards
- More doctors and specialists to strengthen affordable healthcare delivery
- Accessible healthcare for rural and tribal communities
- Creation of direct and indirect jobs in healthcare and allied sectors
- Balanced development across states and union territories
Positioning India as a Global Healthcare Hub
With the world’s highest number of medical colleges, India is well positioned to emerge as a global hub for affordable healthcare and medical education.
The expansion of seats not only boosts opportunities for students but also contributes to socio-economic growth by addressing the healthcare needs of its vast population.
