Government approves New Seats in Medical Courses under Centrally Sponsored Schemes

India has increased MBBS and postgraduate medical seats to meet the growing need for doctors, with a aim to improve healthcare access and reduce the shortage of medical professionals

New Seats in Medical Courses under CSS: The Union Government has approved the addition of new seats in medical courses in the country under different Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS), which will be a major boost to India’s healthcare education infrastructure. It is expected to help alleviate the shortage of trained doctors and increase the availability of quality health care, especially in underserved and aspirational districts. The approved increase of new seats includes new undergraduate (MBBS) as well as postgraduate seats in medical colleges aided through central schemes, the sources added.

The Government has increased the intake of MBBS and postgraduate (MD/MS) seats in medical colleges by 48,563 and 29,080 , respectively, during the academic years 2020-21 to 2025-26 . This was informed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in the Rajya Sabha, which highlights the government’s long-term commitment to India’s shortage of doctors. The expansion had been carried out keeping in view the suggestions and recommendations of the NMC.

Growth of Medical Seats: Year-wise for Undergraduate (MBBS)

A clear view of the increasing number of seats in the MBBS Degree every year by the Union Government

Year	No. of MBBS Seats Added
2020-21	2,963
2021-22	8,790
2022-23	7,398
2023-24	9,652
2024-25	8,641
2025-26	11,119
Toatl	48,563

Growth of Medical Seats: Year-wise for Postgraduate (MD/MS)

Here you can view the rapid growth of medical seats in the postgraduate (MD/MS) department year wise by the Government of India

Year	No. of PG Seats Added
2020-21	4,983
2021-22	4,705
2022-23	2,874
2023-24	4,713
2024-25	4,186
2025-26	7,619
Toatl	29,080

There has been an increasing trend in the number of MBBS seats for the last six academic years, as reported in the Parliament. The increases each year are considered small, but they add up over time. The biggest increase was in 2025–26, when a record 11,119 additional MBBS seats were created in one year, showing a strong impetus to scaling up undergraduate medical education.

During the same period, postgraduate medical education had also witnessed a steady upsurge. The number of MD and MS seats was increased every year, and the highest increment of 7, 619 was seen in 2025–26. This expansion would increase specialist availability, which is necessary to improve tertiary healthcare services and medical establishments in the country.

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