NMC approves over 10,000 new MBBS seats for 2024-25 academic year

India is set to see a major expansion in medical education after the National Medical Commission (NMC) approved 10,650 new MBBS seats for the 2024-25 academic year, reinforcing the government’s plan to add 75,000 medical seats over five years, as promised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Independence Day 2024.

The new seats come with the establishment of 41 additional medical colleges, raising the total number of medical institutions in the country to 816.

NMC Chief Dr Abhijat Sheth said the commission received 170 applications for undergraduate seat expansions, including 41 from government colleges and 129 from private institutions, resulting in the approval of 10,650 MBBS seats.

“This will raise the overall MBBS seat count to 137,600 for the 2024-25 academic year, including seats in Institutes of National Importance (INI),” Dr Sheth said.

For postgraduate courses, the NMC has received more than 3,500 applications for new and renewed seats.

Dr Sheth indicated that an estimated 5,000 additional PG seats will be added, bringing the nationwide total to 67,000.

The combined increase in undergraduate and postgraduate seats this year is projected to be around 15,000.

Officials acknowledged some delays in the final approval and counseling processes but assured that all procedures will be completed within the scheduled timelines.

A detailed blueprint covering accreditation, examinations, and seat matrix approvals will be released soon, and the portal for 2025-26 applications is expected to open in early November.

Dr Sheth highlighted that this year marks the first time in recent history that all appeals against Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) decisions were resolved without court interventions.

To improve the quality of medical education, the NMC is also exploring the integration of clinical research into the core curriculum.

Plans are underway for collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to enhance research infrastructure and promote clinical research among medical students.

These initiatives aim to expand medical education capacity, strengthen healthcare infrastructure, and address the growing need for trained medical professionals across India.