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MBBS Seat Surge: NMC Lifts Expansion Caps
29 Apr
Summary
- MBBS seat expansion caps removed by NMC.
- Colleges can exceed 150 seats from 2024-25.
- 100 MBBS seats per 10 lakh population norm deleted.
The National Medical Commission (NMC) has enacted a significant policy change, removing major restrictions on the expansion of MBBS seats across India. This move is poised to substantially increase the number of undergraduate medical seats available nationwide.
A gazette notification issued on April 27 amended the NMC's 2023 regulations. A critical change deletes the clause that previously capped the total number of MBBS seats at 150 per college for institutions seeking expansion from the 2024-25 academic year onwards.
Furthermore, the commission has abolished the requirement for states to adhere to a ratio of 100 MBBS seats per 10 lakh population. This norm previously guided the approval of new medical seats. Officials stated these amendments aim to provide institutions with increased flexibility and accelerate the growth of medical education capacity to meet the rising demand for doctors.
Operational changes also include revised norms for the distance between a medical college and its teaching hospital. The previous 30-minute travel-time cap has been replaced by a maximum distance of 10 km, with a relaxation to 15 km for northeastern and Himalayan states. These amendments, effective from the 2024-25 academic year, are expected to benefit both government and private medical colleges.
