India’s government just took a big step toward better healthcare for everyone by approving more than 10,000 new medical seats in existing colleges and hospitals. This move, announced on Saturday, aims to help the country reach its goal of universal healthcare.
On September 24, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Cabinet greenlit 10,023 seats—5,000 for postgraduate programs and 5,023 for undergraduate ones. The total cost? A hefty Rs 15,034 crore over the next four years, from 2025-26 to 2028-29. The central government will cover 68.5% of that, or Rs 10,303.20 crore, while states chip in the rest, Rs 4,731.30 crore. That’s about Rs 1.5 crore per seat.
This is part of a larger plan to add 75,000 medical seats across India in the next five years. With a population of 1.4 billion, the country has boosted its medical infrastructure a lot in the past decade, but demand for doctors still outstrips supply.
PM Modi shared his excitement on X, saying, “Approval of Phase-III of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme will add significant PG and UG medical seats. This will improve our healthcare system and enhance the medical education infrastructure. It will ensure that every part of India has the availability of skilled doctors.”
The focus is on reaching rural, tribal, and remote areas where quality care is hard to find. These new seats will train more specialists, giving underserved communities better access to skilled medical professionals. It also opens doors for aspiring students to study medicine in India, raising the bar on medical education to meet global standards.
Experts say this could turn India into a top spot for affordable healthcare, drawing international patients and boosting the economy through foreign exchange. Plus, it will create thousands of jobs—not just for doctors and specialists, but also faculty, paramedics, researchers, admins, and support staff.
India already leads the world with 808 medical colleges and has been ramping up its medical education infrastructure for years. As one official put it, the effects will ripple far: stronger medical training, more jobs in healthcare, and healthier lives for millions who’ve long missed out on good care.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
