Cabinet clears move to add over 10,000 MBBS, PG seats, Pg 12.

Key Highlights:

• The Union Cabinet approved Phase-3 of a centrally sponsored scheme to add 5,023 MBBS seats and 5,000 PG seats.
• The expansion will occur at existing government medical colleges and institutes over the next three years.
• The project will cost ₹15,034 crore.
• This initiative aligns with the Union Finance Minister's Budget announcement to add 75,000 new medical seats in five years.
• Currently, India has approximately 1.2 lakh MBBS seats and 74,306 PG medical seats.

Detailed Insights:

• Phase-1 of the scheme added 4,977 MBBS seats in 83 colleges at a cost of ₹5,972 crore and 4,058 PG seats in 72 colleges at ₹1,498 crore.
• Phase-2 provided ₹4,478 crore to add 4,000 seats in 65 colleges.
• The number of MBBS seats has nearly doubled from 51,328 in 2014, and PG seats have increased from 31,185 in 2014.
• This expansion aims to address the shortage of medical professionals and improve healthcare infrastructure in India.
• The centrally sponsored scheme reflects the government's commitment to strengthening medical education and public health.

Key Concepts Involved:

• MBBS: Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, the primary medical degree.
• PG Seat: Postgraduate seat for specialized medical education after MBBS.
• Centrally Sponsored Scheme: A scheme funded by the central government, implemented by state governments.