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Government increases NEET UG and PG seats to meet rising demand for medical professionals

Government increases NEET UG and PG seats to meet rising demand for medical professionals

Sanjay Sharma / TOI Education / Updated: Apr 5, 2025, 09:31 IST

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The Indian government has announced a significant increase in medical seats, with MBBS seats reaching 1,18,190 and PG seats at 74,306. This move aims to address the gap between medical aspirants and available seats, supporting healthcare needs across the country. Plans include expanding medical colleges and upgrading existing ones, alongside the establishment of new medical institutions attached to district hospitals. The government's initiative seeks to enhance healthcare delivery and provide more opportunities for aspiring doctors.

Government increases NEET UG and PG seats to meet rising demand for medical professionals

Government increases medical seats to address rising demand for healthcare professionals in India. (AI Image)

NEET UG and PG seats 2025: To address the escalating demand for medical professionals in India, the government has unveiled plans to substantially increase the number of medical seats available nationwide. This expansion encompasses both undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) medical programs, reflecting the government’s commitment to strengthening the country’s healthcare infrastructure. This initiative is a key part of broader efforts aimed at enhancing the overall capacity and quality of India’s healthcare system to meet the needs of its growing population.
Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Anupriya Patel, revealed that the total number of MBBS seats in India has now reached an impressive 1,18,190, while PG seats have increased to 74,306. This marks a major achievement, as the number of medical seats has grown substantially in recent years. The government’s efforts are in line with the promises made in the 2025 budget, which highlighted the addition of 75,000 new medical seats over the next five years. The government has already made significant strides in this area, adding 13,436 new medical seats in the academic year 2024-25 alone.
The Minister highlighted that expanding the number of medical seats is a key component of a larger strategy aimed at strengthening India's healthcare system, addressing the growing demand for doctors and specialists in both urban and rural areas. Patel also pointed out the significant rise in medical colleges, with the total number now reaching 780, a substantial increase from 387 in 2014. This represents an impressive 101.5% growth over the past decade. Additionally, the number of MBBS seats has surged by 130%, rising from 51,348 in 2014 to more than 118,000 today, while the number of PG seats has grown by 138%.
These efforts have been supported through various government schemes, including the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for establishing new medical colleges, particularly in underserved and aspirational districts. Under this scheme, new medical colleges have been attached to existing district and referral hospitals to ensure the availability of healthcare education in remote areas. So far, the government has approved the establishment of 157 such medical colleges, with 131 already functioning.

Additionally, the government has worked on upgrading existing medical colleges to increase the capacity for both MBBS and PG seats. This includes an ongoing initiative that provides financial assistance for civil works, devices, and furniture to enhance the infrastructure of government medical colleges. As part of this initiative, 4,977 new MBBS seats have been added in 83 colleges, and PG seats have been increased by 8,058 across various phases in 137 colleges.
The rise in the number of medical seats aims to bridge the significant gap between the number of students aspiring to pursue medical education and the seats available. According to the National Testing Agency, more than 24 lakh students registered for the NEET UG exam in 2024, while 2.28 lakh students applied for the NEET PG exam. The increase in seats is expected to provide opportunities to many more aspiring medical professionals.
A key focus of the government’s plan is to address the needs of underserved regions, where access to healthcare and medical education has been historically limited. With this initiative, the government hopes to improve healthcare delivery and meet the growing demands of India's vast and diverse population.
In related developments, Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Delhi will see an expansion of its medical facilities, including the increase of MBBS seats from 100 to 250. This will not only provide more opportunities for students but also add 666 new beds, increasing the hospital’s capacity from 1,532 to 2,198 beds, in a bid to provide better healthcare services to the public.
The government’s ongoing focus on improving medical education and healthcare infrastructure reflects a commitment to building a robust healthcare system to meet the challenges of the future. As the country prepares for the NEET UG exam on May 4, 2025, students will have more opportunities to pursue their dreams of becoming doctors, with a greater number of seats available in both undergraduate and postgraduate medical courses.
This significant expansion of medical seats is a crucial step toward addressing the medical workforce shortage in India, ensuring a healthier future for the nation.

About the Author

Sanjay Sharma

Sanjay Sharma is a seasoned journalist with over two decades of experience in the media industry. Currently serving as Assistant Editor - Education at TimesofIndia.com, he specializes in education-related content, including board results, job notifications, and studying abroad. Since joining TOI in 2006, he has played a pivotal role in expanding the platform’s digital presence and spearheading major education events. Previously, Sanjay held leadership positions in sports journalism, covering high-profile events such as the Cricket World Cup and Olympics. He holds a PG Diploma in Journalism from Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan and is proficient in various content management systems.

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