Arunachal to get 2 new medical colleges; TRIHMS MBBS seats doubled to 100
Synopsis
Arunachal Pradesh is doubling down on healthcare: TRIHMS has already doubled its MBBS seats to 100, a second medical college is heading to Namsai, and a third PPP-mode college with 150 seats is planned for the West Kameng-Tawang belt — the most concentrated expansion of medical education in the state's history.
Key Takeaways
TRIHMS MBBS intake has doubled from 50 to 100 seats over the past two years.
A second medical college is planned at Namsai , with construction set to begin shortly.
A third medical college in the West Kameng-Tawang region with approximately 150 seats is being developed under the PPP mode .
Ramakrishna Mission Hospital, Itanagar , received a new 33kV power substation and Vivekananda Bhavan Phase-II staff quarters on 4 October 2026 .
In-principle approval granted for two Ramakrishna Mission colleges at Aalo and Narottam Nagar .
A 200-bed expansion of Ramakrishna Mission Hospital is also underway.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Sunday, 4 October 2026, announced that the state is set to establish two new medical colleges, while the Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (TRIHMS) has already doubled its MBBS intake from 50 to 100 seats over the past two years. The announcements signal a significant push to close Arunachal Pradesh's long-standing healthcare infrastructure deficit.
Two New Medical Colleges in the Pipeline
Chief Minister Khandu said the state is preparing to establish a second medical college at Namsai, with construction expected to begin shortly. A third medical college, planned for the West Kameng-Tawang region with an intake capacity of approximately 150 students, is being developed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode. An investor delegation from Delhi was reportedly scheduled to visit the proposed site and hold discussions with the relevant state department.
Ramakrishna Mission Hospital Gets New Infrastructure
On the same day, Khandu inaugurated a dedicated 33kV power substation and the Vivekananda Bhavan Phase-II staff quarters at Ramakrishna Mission Hospital, Itanagar. He assured continued state government support to strengthen the institution's healthcare and education initiatives. The Chief Minister recalled that the Ramakrishna Mission's association with Arunachal Pradesh dates back to 1966, when it established its school at Aalo, followed by the Mission at Narottam Nagar and the hospital at Itanagar in 1978–79.
Ramakrishna Mission to Expand Into Higher Education
Khandu said that following discussions with the Mission leadership, in-principle approval has been granted for two new colleges — one at Aalo and another at Narottam Nagar. The government is exploring the use of existing infrastructure to operationalise these institutions at the earliest. He also appreciated the Mission for establishing its educational institution at Lamdung in East Kameng district, saying it would help address gaps in quality education in western Arunachal Pradesh.
Healthcare and Civic Infrastructure on the Agenda
The Chief Minister noted that the upcoming 200-bed expansion of Ramakrishna Mission Hospital would significantly strengthen healthcare delivery in the state. He also flagged that rapid urbanisation of the Itanagar-Naharlagun capital region requires advance water infrastructure planning, adding that a proposal for a major water supply project has already been submitted to the Central Government. Khandu took note of the deteriorating condition of staff and doctors' quarters at the hospital — many dating to the 1970s and 1980s — and assured he would take up the matter with the Planning Department after the Mission submitted a DPR for replacement.
Present at the event were Home Minister Mama Natung, MLAs Pani Taram and Jikke Tako, and senior Ramakrishna Mission leadership including Rev Swami Suhitananda Ji Maharaj, Vice President of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math, among others. With medical seats expanding and new institutions in the works, Arunachal Pradesh appears to be entering a decisive phase of healthcare capacity-building — the real test will be whether execution matches the ambition.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many MBBS seats does TRIHMS now have?
TRIHMS currently has 100 MBBS seats, doubled from the original 50 over the past two years. This expansion was highlighted by Chief Minister Pema Khandu on 4 October 2026.
Where will the new medical colleges in Arunachal Pradesh be located?
One new medical college is planned at Namsai, with construction expected to begin shortly. A third college, with an intake of around 150 students, is being planned for the West Kameng-Tawang region under the PPP mode.
What is the PPP model for the West Kameng-Tawang medical college?
The West Kameng-Tawang medical college is being developed under the Public-Private Partnership mode, meaning the government and private investors will jointly fund and operate the institution. An investor delegation from Delhi was scheduled to visit the proposed site for discussions.
What new infrastructure was inaugurated at Ramakrishna Mission Hospital, Itanagar?
Chief Minister Pema Khandu inaugurated a dedicated 33kV power substation and the Vivekananda Bhavan Phase-II staff quarters at Ramakrishna Mission Hospital, Itanagar, on 4 October 2026. A 200-bed expansion of the hospital is also planned.
What is the Ramakrishna Mission's role in Arunachal Pradesh's education sector?
The Ramakrishna Mission has been active in Arunachal Pradesh since 1966, running schools at Aalo and Narottam Nagar and a hospital at Itanagar since 1978–79. In-principle approval has now been granted for two new Mission-run colleges at Aalo and Narottam Nagar, expanding into higher education.
