Thousands of MBBS seats go vacant despite 39% increase in intake

India has significantly expanded its MBBS seat capacity over the past four years, yet a large number of seats continue to go unfilled.

Between 2020–21 and 2024–25, the number of undergraduate medical seats rose by 39%, from 83,275 to 115,900.

However, 2,849 seats remained vacant in the current academic year, according to information presented in Parliament by Minister of State for Health Anupriya Patel on Aug 1.

The problem of vacancies is not new. The highest number in recent years was recorded in 2022–23, when 4,146 MBBS seats, excluding those at AIIMS and JIPMER, were left unclaimed.

While the figures have declined since then, the issue has yet to be fully addressed.

States like Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Gujarat continue to dominate in the number of MBBS seats.

These states led in both 2020–21 and 2024–25. Uttar Pradesh increased its capacity from 7,428 to 12,325 seats, while Tamil Nadu moved from 8,000 to 12,000.

To strengthen the country’s medical education infrastructure, the central government has focused on expanding access in underserved regions.

Under a centrally sponsored scheme, 157 new medical colleges were approved, out of which 131 are now operational.

In addition to setting up new institutions, efforts are being made to enhance capacity in existing state and central government colleges.

The National Medical Commission introduced the Minimum Standard Requirement Regulations in 2023 to ensure that new colleges meet necessary standards in infrastructure, faculty strength, and clinical training before they begin operations.

The broader objective is to produce more qualified doctors to meet India’s growing healthcare needs, while also ensuring that the available training opportunities are fully utilized.