New Delhi, Sep 24 (NationPress) The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given the green light to a transformative initiative aimed at augmenting 5,000 PG seats and 5,023 MBBS seats.

This strategic move, designed to enhance the overall supply of doctors in the nation, comes with a total financial outlay of Rs 15,034.50 crore.

Phase-III of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) is intended to bolster and modernize existing medical colleges run by state and central governments, standalone PG institutions, and government hospitals.

The increase in seats will be executed “with an enhanced cost ceiling of Rs. 1.50 crore per seat,” as detailed in a Cabinet Communique.

The financial ramifications of these initiatives amount to Rs 15,034.50 crore over the span from 2025-26 to 2028-29. The central government will contribute Rs 10,303.20 crore, while the states will provide Rs 4,731.30 crore.

This new initiative aligns with Prime Minister Modi's declaration during his Independence Day speech in 2024, in which he announced plans to create 75,000 new medical seats within five years to enhance the country's healthcare framework.

India currently boasts 808 medical colleges, the highest globally, allowing for a total intake capacity of 1,23,700 MBBS seats.

Over the past decade, the nation has successfully added more than 69,352 new MBBS seats, marking a remarkable 127 percent growth.

Additionally, 43,041 PG seats have been introduced during this same timeframe, showcasing an impressive 143 percent growth rate.

However, certain regions still require enhancements to meet the demand, access, and affordability of healthcare services.

This new initiative is poised to significantly elevate the undergraduate medical capacity, increase the availability of specialist doctors, and enable the introduction of new specialties across government medical institutions. This, in turn, will enhance access to quality healthcare, particularly in underserved areas.

It aims to foster a balanced regional distribution of healthcare resources, ensuring cost-effectiveness by utilizing existing infrastructure.

The initiative will also provide more opportunities for students to pursue medical education in India, enhance the quality of medical training to align with global benchmarks, and increase the supply of doctors and specialists, positioning India as a prime destination for affordable healthcare and boosting foreign exchange.

Notably, this initiative is expected to generate both direct and indirect employment opportunities in various roles, including doctors, faculty, paramedics, researchers, administrators, and support staff; it will also strengthen the resilience of the health system and contribute to overall socio-economic growth while promoting equitable healthcare distribution across States/UTs.