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India has witnessed a historic revolution in medical education, with MBBS seats nationwide surging to 137,600. This increase is a significant relief for millions of students preparing for the NEET medical entrance exam and marks a milestone for the healthcare sector, making medical education more accessible. Over the past decade, India has considerably expanded the number of medical colleges and their available seats. The central government has implemented several schemes and policies aiming to establish “one medical college in every district.” The rise to 1.37 lakh admissions is noteworthy, providing opportunities to numerous talented students who previously couldn’t fulfil their dreams due to limited seats. This development will help India become a powerful force in the global healthcare sector. Currently, India has a total of 137,600 MBBS seats, with substantial contributions from both government and private sectors: – Government Medical Colleges: There are now 73,300 MBBS seats in government colleges. Most students prefer these colleges due to their lower fees and higher value. – Private Medical Colleges: Private institutions account for 64,300 MBBS seats, creating intense competition. Students often seek admission through quotas or loans. Some states have seen a particularly significant increase in MBBS seats. The list below highlights the states with the most seats: – Tamil Nadu: 11,825 seats – Karnataka: 11,695 seats – Uttar Pradesh: 11,250 seats – Maharashtra: 10,695 seats These major states contribute a substantial portion of the country’s total medical seats. However, the government is now focusing on expanding medical colleges to other parts of the country to reduce regional disparities. Increasing the number of MBBS seats will have several positive impacts on India’s healthcare system: – Improving availability of doctors: This will help achieve the doctor-patient ratio of 1:1000, as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). – Benefits to rural areas: More doctors will allow for expanded medical services in rural and semi-urban areas. – Access to education: Students will have the opportunity to enrol in medical colleges near their home state, reducing the need to travel far for their studies.
