Copyright thehindu
Two years after increasing its MBBS intake from 150 seats to 200, the Mysuru Medical College and Research Institute (MMCRI), one of the country’s oldest and most prestigious medical colleges, has secured approval for 50 more seats. The admission for these seats are now nearing completion. The MMCRI had submitted a proposal to the National Medical Commission (NMC) seeking approval to raise the intake to 250 seats from 200 for the academic year 2025–26. Considering its request, the NMC gave its nod as the MMCRI met all the requirements necessary for increasing the intake. Amid increasing demand for medical education and intense competition for seats in government colleges — which remain affordable and highly sought after — the rise in intake will benefit meritorious students and produce competent medical professionals to meet the growing healthcare needs of the country. In addition, the NMC has sanctioned 19 more postgraduate (PG) seats, raising the total number of PG seats at MMCRI to 172 from 153. The institute has also applied for the introduction of Super Speciality (DM/MCh) courses in Urology and Nephrology, which are expected to begin once approvals are received. At present, MMCRI has a super speciality course in plastic surgery. MMCRI Dean and Director K.R. Dakshayani told The Hindu that admission for the regular and additional MBBS seats was under way and may be completed soon. “The increase in intake to 250 seats was expected since the institute had met all the prerequisites for the same. We had upgraded the college infrastructure during our centenary celebrations in anticipation of more seats. This will largely benefit meritorious students amidst the rising demand for medical seats,” she said. The NMC had conducted an assessment of MMCRI’s infrastructure and resources to evaluate its eligibility for the increase in intake. The institute currently has a total of 2,300 beds across its affiliated teaching hospitals — K.R. Hospital, Cheluvamba Hospital, and PKTB Sanatorium and Super Speciality Hospital. These facilities collectively cater to around 2,300 outpatients daily. This strengthened the college’s case for seat expansion plans. This year, seven MBBS seats have been filled under the NRI quota. MMCRI has undergone significant upgrades over the past two to three years. These include the construction of two new hostels — one each for boys and girls — with 150 rooms apiece and each room having attached restrooms and the capacity to comfortably accommodate three students. The hostels are located on the PKTB Hospital campus on KRS Road. In addition, the MMCRI has built a new lecture complex, with three classrooms that can each seat 300 students, and two examination halls with a 500-student capacity each. Both undergraduate and postgraduate libraries have also been upgraded as part of the expansion efforts. The MMCRI, the Bangalore Medical College (BMC), and the Ballari Medical College and Research Centre have an intake of 250 MBBS seats among the government medical colleges in the State, Dr. Dakshayani added.
