According to plans developed by the health ministry, the 40% disparity between undergraduate and postgraduate seats in medical programs in India is likely to be closed in the next two to three years, according to persons with knowledge of the situation.
According to government data, there are presently 96,077 seats for MBBS programs in the nation, compared to 64,059 seats for postgraduate degrees in medicine and surgery, prompting many students to study abroad to specialize in different fields.
51,712 of the total number of MBBS seats are located in government medical schools. In government colleges, there are 30,384 places available for postgraduate specializations. Most candidates who don’t get in in India either choose to study abroad or pursue a different line of work.
According to an expert, the initiative to boost postgraduate seats is desperately needed.
According to official data provided during the winter session of Parliament, 261 new medical colleges have been founded in the previous seven years since the National Democratic Alliance took office in 2014. This has brought the overall number of medical colleges in the nation up to 648.
Before 2014, there were 51,348 undergraduate seats; as of today, there are 96,077 seats, an increase of about 87%. Prior to 2014, there were 31,185 postgraduate places available. Today, there are 64,059 seats available.
In her budget statement to Parliament on February 1, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the Center would also create 157 additional nursing colleges. These colleges will be built alongside the 157 medical colleges that have already been operational since 2014 in the same places. India now has close to 2000 nursing colleges, based on official data published in 2020.
The co-location plan will receive support from all nominated medical colleges, according to officials.
News Mania Desk
