Health Ministry counts 88,120 MBBS Seats, 27,498 BDS seats in India

The Minister for Health has further informed the Parliament that since 2014, 132 medical colleges in government sector and 77 medical colleges in private sector have been approved in the country by the National Medical Commission (NMC), erstwhile Medical Council of India (MCI).

"The numbers of UG seats have increased by 72% from 51,348 before 2014 to 88,120 seats as of date and the numbers of PG seats have increased by 78% from 31,185 seats before 2014 to 55,595 seats including DNB and CPS seats," further informed the Minister.

The MoS Health was responding to a bunch of questions related to the data regarding MBBS seats available in various medical colleges in India between 2014 and 2021. Apart from this, questions were also raised regarding the number of Post Graduate (PG) Medical Seats available in the country and the measures taken by the Government to match the number of MBBS and PG Medical seats.

Some of the other queries included total number of MBBS/BDS seats in both Government and Private colleges, whether admissions for MBBS/BDS courses would be done only through Medical Counselling Committee from 2021, etc.

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MBBS/BDS Seats Available in India:

Responding to these queries, Dr. Pawar informed the Parliament that, "88120 MBBS seats and 27498 BDS seats are available in both Government and Private colleges."

Increase in UG & PG Medical Seats since 2014:

Regarding the medical colleges approved in India since 2014, Dr Pawar stated, "As informed by the NMC, 132 medical colleges in government sector and 77 medical colleges in private sector have been approved in country by the NMC/MCI since 2014. The numbers of UG seats have increased by 72% from 51,348 before 2014 to 88,120 seats as of date and the numbers of PG seats have increased by 78% from 31,185 seats before 2014 to 55,595 seats including DNB and CPS seats."

The year-wise details of MBBS seats available in the Ministry are as under:

Admissions Conducted Via Medical Counselling Committee (MCC):

The minister also provided the Parliament with details regarding the number of seats in which admission would be conducted through the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC).

"Medical Counseling Committee (MCC) of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) is the allotment authority entrusted by the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India to conduct counseling for All India Quota/ Deemed/ Central Universities seats of Under Graduate courses (MBBS/ BDS) as per the scheme devised by the Hon'ble Court for the following Quotas:

i. 15% All India Quota seats contributed by the states/ UTs ii. 100% seats of Central Institutes/ Universities (AMU, BHU, Delhi University, Jamia Milia Islamia, ESIC)

iii. 100% seats of Deemed Universities iv. 100% seats of AIIMS Institutes across India & JIPMER (Puducherry & Karaikal)."

"The counseling for NEET-UG, 2021 has been postponed pending decision in the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India," added the Minister.

Steps to Increase Availability of PG Doctors in India:

Further the MoS Health informed about the steps taken by the Government to increase the availability of Postgraduate doctors in India. The steps are as follows-

"i. Centrally Sponsored Scheme for strengthening/ upgradation of existing State Government/Central Government Medical Colleges to increase MBBS and PG seats.

ii. Central Sector Scheme for upgradation of Government Medical Colleges by construction of Super Specialty Blocks. A total of 75 projects have been approved and 53 have been completed.

iii. Under Central Sector Scheme for setting up of new AIIMS, 22 AIIMS have been approved. Undergraduate courses have started in 18 AIIMS.

iv. DNB qualification has been recognized for appointment as faculty to take care of shortage of faculty.

v. DNB diploma courses have been approved in 8 broad specialities.

vi. The ratio of teachers to students has been rationalized to increase the number of postgraduate medical seats in the country.

vii. By amending the regulations, it has been made mandatory for all medical colleges to start PG courses within 3 years from the date of their MBBS recognition /continuation of recognition."