NEW DELHI – In a significant step to strengthen India’s healthcare system, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a major expansion of medical education capacity. The initiative includes the Phase-III of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for medical colleges, with a total financial implication of Rs. 15,034.50 crore over the period of 2025-26 to 2028-29.
This approval is set to increase 5,000 postgraduate (PG) seats and 5,023 undergraduate (MBBS) seats in government medical colleges and standalone PG institutions. The scheme will enhance medical education infrastructure and is expected to significantly improve the availability of doctors and specialists across the country, particularly in underserved regions.
The expansion comes with an enhanced cost ceiling of Rs. 1.50 crore per seat for the upgradation of existing government medical colleges. The total project cost will be shared between the central and state governments, with the central share amounting to Rs. 10,303.20 crore and the state share at Rs. 4,731.30 crore.
