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YMAM Desk
New Delhi, September 24, 2025:
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved Phase-III of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for upgradation and strengthening of government medical colleges, standalone PG institutes, and hospitals, according to PIB.
This expansion aims to add 5,000 postgraduate seats and 5,023 MBBS seats in existing government institutions with an enhanced cost ceiling of Rs 1.50 crore per seat.
The total allocation for these initiatives is Rs 15,034.5 crore, out of which the Central share will be Rs 10,303.2 crore and the State share Rs 4,731.3 crore, for the period 2025-26 to 2028-29.
Major Highlights
* The initiative will significantly boost specialist and undergraduate medical capacity nationwide, enabling more students to access medical education and introducing new specialties across government institutions.
* Enhanced seat availability is expected to improve access to quality healthcare, especially in underserved rural regions, and to promote a balanced distribution of infrastructure and resources across states and UTs.
* The schemes leverage existing infrastructure for cost-effective expansion, ensuring a steady supply of doctors and specialists while focusing on global education standards. Direct and indirect employment opportunities will be generated for doctors, faculty, paramedical staff, researchers, administrators, and support services.
* These measures bolster the resilience of the health system, help close accessibility gaps, and contribute to socio-economic growth. The expansion aligns with long-term efforts to realize Universal Health Coverage for 1.4 billion people.
India currently leads the world with 808 medical colleges and a total intake capacity of 1,23,700 MBBS seats. Over the last decade, the country added 69,352 new MBBS seats and 43,041 new PG seats, according to PIB.
The Cabinet’s decision addresses the ongoing need for more capacity in distinct regions, improving both access and the overall quality of healthcare.
Recent faculty regulation reforms aim to expand the pool of qualified educators nationwide, and detailed guidelines for implementing the schemes will be issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.