Srinagar, Sep 24: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved Phase III of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) to expand medical education and upgrade government healthcare institutions across the country.
The initiative will create 5,000 new postgraduate (PG) seats and support the expansion of medical colleges to add 5,023 MBBS seats by 2028–29. The cost ceiling has been set at Rs 1.5 crore per seat. Officials said the move aims to strengthen India’s healthcare workforce, address gaps in specialist availability, and introduce new medical specialties in government institutions.
The scheme will involve a total outlay of Rs 15,034.5 crore, with the Centre contributing Rs 10,303.2 crore and states bearing Rs 4,731.3 crore. Detailed implementation guidelines will be issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
India currently has 808 medical colleges, the highest in the world, with an intake capacity of 1.23 lakh MBBS seats. Over the last decade, MBBS capacity has increased by 127% and PG seats by 143%. However, the Cabinet noted that gaps remain, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
The new measures complement existing efforts such as the establishment of 22 new AIIMS under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana and updated faculty recruitment norms. Together, these steps are expected to accelerate India’s march towards universal health coverage by expanding the pool of trained doctors and specialists to serve its 1.4 billion population. (KINS)
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