In a major boost to India’s healthcare and medical education sector, the Union Cabinet has approved Phase-III of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS), which will create 10,023 new medical seats across the country. This includes 5,023 MBBS seats and 5,000 postgraduate (PG) seats in government medical colleges and hospitals.
The expansion, expected to be completed by 2028–29, comes with a total investment of ₹15,034 crore, of which the central government will contribute ₹10,303 crore and the states ₹4,731 crore. The initiative is aimed at improving access to quality healthcare, reducing doctor shortages, and enabling the introduction of new specialties in medical institutions.
According to the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, the move will help address the growing demand for trained doctors, particularly in underserved regions. The scheme also intends to retain medical talent within the country, reducing the need for students to seek education abroad.
“The approval of Phase-III marks a crucial step toward strengthening India’s healthcare system. More trained doctors mean better care for citizens, especially in areas that have historically been underserved,” said a ministry official.
This expansion is part of the government’s broader goal to add 75,000 medical seats over the next five years, enhancing the country’s capacity to meet both domestic healthcare needs and global standards in medical education.
The scheme will also include upgrading infrastructure in existing institutions and improving the quality of training to ensure graduates are equipped to handle modern healthcare challenges.
With this initiative, India takes a concrete step toward ensuring that quality healthcare and medical education are accessible, reliable, and sustainable for the long term.