MCI creates 4,452 new MBBS seats; 21 new med colleges

MCI creates 4,452 new MBBS seats; 21 new med colleges all over India. Those aspiring to be doctors can now hope for more as the Government has decided to create 4,452 MBBS seats in 21 new medical colleges and increase the number of seats in existing institutions this year.

The Medical Council of India has approved 21 new medical colleges at the undergraduate level, taking the total number of medical colleges in the country to 335, including 185 in the private sector and 150 in the government sector, sources said.Of the new colleges approved, 16 are in the private sector and five in the government sector.In another significant development, the MCI allowed 33 existing medical colleges to add additional undergraduate seats (MBBS).

The MCI, in this regard also rejected as many as 71 applications from colleges for approval of additional medical seats, said Dr Purshotam Lal, member of MCI's Board of Governors.While the 21 new medical colleges will add 2,650 fresh MBBS seats, 33 existing ones have been granted permission to add 1,802 fresh seats, said Dr Lal.

With this, MCI has added 12.6 per cent medical seats in the country this year alone.Both moves will together create a poll of 39,785 seats in the country, which is reeling under doctor shortage - currently pegged at six lakh.The MCI had received applications for setting up as many as 86 new medical colleges, of which only 21 got the final nod after scrutiny and inspection.

Similarly, a total of 104 applications were received for further increase in seats by existing medical colleges, of which only 33 were accorded sanction and the remaining were rjected after scrutiny and inspection.