Union Cabinet Approves Phase-III of Medical Seat Expansion Scheme to Add Over 10,000 UG and PG Seats

The Union Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given a go-ahead to Phase-III of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) to increase the capacity of government medical colleges and postgraduate institutes in the country, in a major initiative towards upgrading the healthcare system and healthcare education infrastructure in India.

By 2028-29, the scheme will increase the number of undergraduate (MBBS) seats and postgraduate (PG) seats by 5,023 and 5,000 respectively, enhancing availability of qualified doctors and specialists especially in underserved and rural regions.

With a total budget allocation of Rs. 15,034.50 crore for the period 2025-26 to 2028-29, the central government will contribute Rs. 10,303.20 crore and the state government will provide Rs. 4,731.30 crore towards this initiative . The cost ceiling has been improved to Rs. 1.50 crore per seat.

The expanded seats will improve the available government medical colleges and stand alone institutes of postgraduate will enhance the accessibility of quality healthcare, provide regional balance in the allocation of healthcare services, and raise supply of specialist doctors in areas where they are very needed. The plan also helps in introducing new medical specialties in these institutions.

Emphasizing the effect of the scheme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that Phase-III of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme will introduce a lot of PG and UG medical seats. This will advance our medical system and improve medical education facilities. It will guarantee accessibility of skilled doctors in all corners of India.

India boasts of more than 808 medical colleges that are the highest in the world and has an aggregate intake capacity of approximately 1.23 lakh MBBS and above 74,000 PG medical seats. Even though this growth has been quick in the last ten years, several areas are still experiencing shortages of medical professionals, particularly those in rural and remote locations.  

This step of growth is the continuation of successful previous steps which increased the number of MBBS seats up to almost 9,000 and the number of PG seats up to more than 8,000. The government is also working on the quality of medical education and faculty recruitment along with the expansion of seats, and the regulations, which were introduced in 2025.

The project will produce various jobs to doctors, faculty, paramedics, researchers and support staff and will enhance the general health infrastructure of India and lead to socio-economic growth.

As the 1.4 billion citizens of the nation rely on a strong healthcare workforce to have Universal Health Coverage (UHC), the scheme is the right move towards quality, affordable, and accessible healthcare to all Indians.