The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved Phase-III of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) to strengthen government medical colleges, standalone PG institutes, and hospitals nationwide. This phase will add 5,000 postgraduate (PG) and 5,023 undergraduate (MBBS) seats, enhancing India’s healthcare infrastructure and access to trained medical professionals.

Addressing India’s Growing Healthcare Needs

With the country’s population exceeding 1.4 billion, Phase-III aims to:

• Introduce new medical specialties.
• Improve the quality of medical education.
• Expand UG and PG seats, especially in rural and underserved regions.
• Optimize existing infrastructure for cost-effective healthcare expansion.

Officials note that the scheme ensures balanced regional distribution of medical resources, preventing over-concentration in urban areas.

Funding and Investment Details

The estimated cost from 2025-26 to 2028-29 is Rs. 15,034.50 crore, with the central government contributing Rs. 10,303.20 crore and states Rs. 4,731.30 crore. The enhanced cost ceiling per seat is Rs. 1.50 crore.

Benefits for Students and Society

• Improved healthcare access in rural and remote areas.
• Steady supply of specialists to address national shortages.
• Better utilization of existing medical infrastructure.
• Increased employment opportunities for students, faculty, and healthcare staff.

Implementation Timeline and Targets

The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare will release guidelines for execution. Phase-III aims to create 5,000 PG and 5,023 MBBS seats by 2028-29. India currently has 808 medical colleges, offering over 1.23 lakh MBBS seats, yet rural and underserved areas still face shortages.

Government’s Commitment to Quality Healthcare

This initiative underscores the government’s focus on expanding medical education, strengthening human resources for health, and ensuring equitable, high-quality healthcare nationwide.