A parliamentary committee has expressed strong concern over the central government’s deferral of capping MBBS seats for 2024-25 and 2025-26. The panel also criticized persistent faculty shortages at premier institutions like All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi and National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) Bengaluru. Delays in upgrading government medical colleges and insufficient allocation for healthcare research were also highlighted in recent reports tabled in Parliament.
The committee, chaired by Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav, urged the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) to expedite implementation of a population-based criterion for establishing new medical colleges. This approach aims to ensure equitable healthcare infrastructure distribution, particularly in underserved and densely populated areas. The government had postponed this new method, notified in 2023, which the committee states delays correcting regional imbalances in medical education and healthcare access.
Medical College Admissions and Expansion
The National Medical Commission (NMC) introduced a population criterion in its 2023 regulations. This links the number of medical seats to population size, recommending 100 MBBS spots for every 10 lakh people. This parameter seeks to reduce regional disparities in medical education opportunities. However, some southern states, which have a higher concentration of medical colleges, have opposed the proposed ceiling on their MBBS seats.
The committee reiterated its suggestion to allow medical colleges to increase MBBS seats up to 250, from the current cap of 150 per institute. This expansion would occur in a phased manner, contingent on the availability of adequate infrastructure and faculty at the respective institutions.
Faculty and Staff Vacancies Persist
Significant shortages of faculty and non-faculty staff plague central medical education institutes. These include AIIMS Delhi, NIMHANS Bengaluru, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College (VMMC) New Delhi, and the new AIIMS facilities. The committee noted a lack of detailed progress from the MoHFW since September 2019 regarding specialist appointments.
The committee recommends a structured manpower audit for each government medical college (GMC) upgraded under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY). This audit would assess current staffing gaps across faculty, non-faculty, healthcare allied, professional, and support services. The ministry must also establish a robust follow-up mechanism to ensure state governments take time-bound action on creating and filling these posts.
For vacant posts at AIIMS and other top medical colleges, the committee emphasized a structured and time-bound recruitment strategy. It underscored the importance of appointing essential personnel on a regular, permanent basis, rather than relying on contractual arrangements.
Healthcare Infrastructure Delays and Fund Monitoring
The panel criticized the Centre for failing to address shortfalls in upgrading 75 government medical colleges and hospitals. It also noted delays in establishing six new AIIMS in Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Jodhpur, Patna, Raipur, and Rishikesh under PMSSY, a scheme announced in 2003 to correct regional imbalances in tertiary healthcare.
The health ministry informed the committee that four out of 75 upgrades of government healthcare institutes remain pending: Patna Medical College, Government Medical College Surat, Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital (Delhi), and Government Medical College Cuttack. The Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital project faces delays due to an unreleased Rs 80 crore from the Delhi government, while the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Cuttack institute is still awaited. Andhra Pradesh has not yet provided its share of funds for upgrading colleges at Anantapur and Vijayawada.
The committee reiterated its recommendation for a formal mechanism to monitor and report fund releases on a quarterly basis. This mechanism would ensure timely implementation of ongoing projects.
Concerns were also raised about the procurement process for colleges. The panel criticized the health department for failing to address a public fund wastage of Rs 3.26 crore during equipment procurement. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) previously flagged 75 pieces of equipment purchased for these institutes as unaccounted for by HLL Lifecare, a ministry-affiliated health service provider, and the concerned colleges.
In response, the committee recommends developing a centralized digital dashboard. This dashboard would provide real-time tracking of tender issuance, approval, delivery, installation, and operationalization of equipment across all GMCs. Such a mechanism aims to eliminate delays in medical equipment procurement.
Concerns Over Medical Research Funding
The committee expressed dissatisfaction with the budgetary allocation for medical research. This stance persists despite a 47% increase in the outlay for the health research department under MoHFW, from Rs 2,663 crore in fiscal year 2021-22 to Rs 3,900 crore projected for 2025-26.
The committee noted that government and medical college spending on health research has remained stagnant as a percentage of GDP. It recommends a massive impetus for medical research and innovation. This requires substantially increasing government expenditure on health research infrastructure or providing incentives for collaboration with leading private research firms.
Affordability of Medical Education
Regarding medical education affordability and capitation fees, the MoHFW informed the committee that NMC issued guidelines in 2022 to determine fees at private and deemed university colleges. However, these directives were challenged in court and the matter remains subjudice.