India’s Medical Education Revolution: Seats Soar to 1.37 Lakh
India’s medical education landscape is undergoing a remarkable transformation, marked by an unprecedented increase in MBBS seats and the establishment of new medical colleges nationwide. This ambitious expansion, led by the National Medical Commission (NMC), directly supports Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2024 commitment to add 75,000 new medical seats within five years. The goal is clear: to enhance healthcare access across the country and tackle the long-standing shortage of qualified medical professionals.
Dr. Abhijat Sheth, Chairperson of the NMC, hailed this growth as a significant regulatory achievement, highlighting that all appeals against decisions by the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) were resolved without judicial involvement for the first time ever. Further enhancing medical education, the NMC has also collaborated with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to weave clinical research directly into the MBBS curriculum, thereby strengthening research capabilities across India’s medical colleges.
Latest Developments in October 2025
By October 2025, the NMC had greenlit an impressive 10,650 new MBBS seats and authorized 41 brand new medical colleges for the 2024–25 academic session. This brings the total number of institutions offering MBBS degrees to 816 nationwide. When factoring in seats at esteemed Institutes of National Importance like AIIMS and JIPMER, India’s grand total of MBBS seats now approaches 137,600.
These approvals stemmed from 170 proposals submitted to the commission for expanding undergraduate medical capacity. Of these, 41 originated from government-run colleges, while 129 came from private institutions. States like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and Telangana were among those that received substantial increases.
Medical Seat Expansion Trend Over 2025
A detailed analysis of data from the NMC and MARB reveals a consistent upward trend in MBBS seat availability throughout 2025. Below is a month-by-month overview of this expansion:
- May 2025: The NMC initiated reviews for new undergraduate medical seats and institutions for the 2025–26 academic year. Initial assessments set the baseline at approximately 117,750 MBBS seats across 808 medical colleges.
- June and July 2025: Several states, notably Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, submitted proposals for new colleges and expanded capacities. Review committees focused on underserved areas, particularly in India’s northeastern and central regions.
- August 2025: The NMC rolled out the initial phase of inspections and renewals to finalize the seat matrix before NEET-UG counselling 2025. Provisional Letters of Permission (LOPs) for college enhancements contributed an additional 1,800 to 2,000 seats nationwide.
- September 2025: Between September 24 and 26, 2025, the NMC released an updated seat matrix, adding 7,075 new MBBS seats, pushing the total from 117,750 to 124,825. This revision, encompassing both renewals and newly sanctioned seats in government and private institutions, signaled the commencement of the most significant expansion phase since 2020.
- Early October 2025: From October 10 to 13, 2025, another NEET-UG 2025 seat matrix revision by the NMC approved 9,075 additional MBBS seats, though approximately 456 seats were phased out due to ongoing legal challenges or non-compliance. Despite this, the national MBBS seat count reached 126,600 across 812 medical colleges, with significant gains in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.
Mid-October 2025: A Historic Leap in Medical Seats
On October 19, 2025, the NMC officially approved 10,650 new MBBS seats and 41 new medical colleges. This monumental decision pushed the national total to 137,600 seats across 816 institutions, as confirmed by PTI. This marks the largest single-year expansion in India’s medical education history, significantly accelerating the government’s goal of adding 75,000 new medical seats over five years.
State-Wise Expansion Highlights
The NMC’s October 2025 report detailed impressive increases across several states:
- Uttar Pradesh: Over 1,100 new seats across 5 colleges
- Maharashtra: Over 950 new seats across 4 colleges
- Tamil Nadu: Over 850 new seats across 3 colleges
- Gujarat: Over 800 new seats
- Rajasthan: Over 700 new seats
- Karnataka: Over 650 new seats
- Madhya Pradesh: Over 600 new seats
A key aspect of this expansion is the strategic establishment of most new colleges and increased capacities in tier-2 and tier-3 cities. This approach is designed to enhance geographical access to medical education and effectively narrow regional disparities.
The Path Forward
The NMC has confirmed that additional proposals for 2025–26 seat expansions are already under review, with the application window slated to open in early November. Should this rapid pace of growth continue, India is projected to surpass its target of adding 75,000 new medical seats well in advance of 2029. This period marks a truly transformative era for India’s medical education sector, promising immense benefits for NEET aspirants and significantly contributing to the nation’s long-term healthcare objectives. (With inputs from PTI)