NEET UG and PG seats 2025: In a bid to tackle the growing demand for medical professionals in India, the government has announced a significant increase in the number of medical seats available across the country. This includes both undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) medical courses, as part of ongoing efforts to enhance the capacity of India’s healthcare system.
Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Anupriya Patel, revealed that the total number of MBBS seats in India has now reached an impressive 1,18,190, while PG seats have increased to 74,306. This marks a major achievement, as the number of medical seats has grown substantially in recent years. The government’s efforts are in line with the promises made in the 2025 budget, which highlighted the addition of 75,000 new medical seats over the next five years. The government has already made significant strides in this area, adding 13,436 new medical seats in the academic year 2024-25 alone.
The Minister emphasized that increasing the number of medical seats is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the healthcare system in India, addressing the rising need for doctors and specialists in both urban and rural areas. Patel further noted that the number of medical colleges has risen sharply, with the total number of medical institutions now standing at 780, up from just 387 in 2014. This represents a remarkable 101.5% increase in the last decade. Moreover, the number of MBBS seats has grown by 130%, from 51,348 in 2014 to over 1.18 lakh today, while PG seats have increased by 138%.
These efforts have been supported through various government schemes, including the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for establishing new medical colleges, particularly in underserved and aspirational districts. Under this scheme, new medical colleges have been attached to existing district and referral hospitals to ensure the availability of healthcare education in remote areas. So far, the government has approved the establishment of 157 such medical colleges, with 131 already functioning.
Additionally, the government has worked on upgrading existing medical colleges to increase the capacity for both MBBS and PG seats. This includes an ongoing initiative that provides financial assistance for civil works, devices, and furniture to enhance the infrastructure of government medical colleges . As part of this initiative, 4,977 new MBBS seats have been added in 83 colleges, and PG seats have been increased by 8,058 across various phases in 137 colleges.
The rise in the number of medical seats aims to bridge the significant gap between the number of students aspiring to pursue medical education and the seats available. According to the National Testing Agency, more than 24 lakh students registered for the NEET UG exam in 2024, while 2.28 lakh students applied for the NEET PG exam. The increase in seats is expected to provide opportunities to many more aspiring medical professionals.
A key focus of the government’s plan is to address the needs of underserved regions, where access to healthcare and medical education has been historically limited. With this initiative, the government hopes to improve healthcare delivery and meet the growing demands of India's vast and diverse population.
In related developments, Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Delhi will see an expansion of its medical facilities, including the increase of MBBS seats from 100 to 250. This will not only provide more opportunities for students but also add 666 new beds, increasing the hospital’s capacity from 1,532 to 2,198 beds, in a bid to provide better healthcare services to the public.
The government’s ongoing focus on improving medical education and healthcare infrastructure reflects a commitment to building a robust healthcare system to meet the challenges of the future. As the country prepares for the NEET UG exam on May 4, 2025, students will have more opportunities to pursue their dreams of becoming doctors, with a greater number of seats available in both undergraduate and postgraduate medical courses.
This significant expansion of medical seats is a crucial step toward addressing the medical workforce shortage in India, ensuring a healthier future for the nation.
Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Anupriya Patel, revealed that the total number of MBBS seats in India has now reached an impressive 1,18,190, while PG seats have increased to 74,306. This marks a major achievement, as the number of medical seats has grown substantially in recent years. The government’s efforts are in line with the promises made in the 2025 budget, which highlighted the addition of 75,000 new medical seats over the next five years. The government has already made significant strides in this area, adding 13,436 new medical seats in the academic year 2024-25 alone.
The Minister emphasized that increasing the number of medical seats is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the healthcare system in India, addressing the rising need for doctors and specialists in both urban and rural areas. Patel further noted that the number of medical colleges has risen sharply, with the total number of medical institutions now standing at 780, up from just 387 in 2014. This represents a remarkable 101.5% increase in the last decade. Moreover, the number of MBBS seats has grown by 130%, from 51,348 in 2014 to over 1.18 lakh today, while PG seats have increased by 138%.
These efforts have been supported through various government schemes, including the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for establishing new medical colleges, particularly in underserved and aspirational districts. Under this scheme, new medical colleges have been attached to existing district and referral hospitals to ensure the availability of healthcare education in remote areas. So far, the government has approved the establishment of 157 such medical colleges, with 131 already functioning.
Additionally, the government has worked on upgrading existing medical colleges to increase the capacity for both MBBS and PG seats. This includes an ongoing initiative that provides financial assistance for civil works, devices, and furniture to enhance the infrastructure of government medical colleges . As part of this initiative, 4,977 new MBBS seats have been added in 83 colleges, and PG seats have been increased by 8,058 across various phases in 137 colleges.
The rise in the number of medical seats aims to bridge the significant gap between the number of students aspiring to pursue medical education and the seats available. According to the National Testing Agency, more than 24 lakh students registered for the NEET UG exam in 2024, while 2.28 lakh students applied for the NEET PG exam. The increase in seats is expected to provide opportunities to many more aspiring medical professionals.
A key focus of the government’s plan is to address the needs of underserved regions, where access to healthcare and medical education has been historically limited. With this initiative, the government hopes to improve healthcare delivery and meet the growing demands of India's vast and diverse population.
In related developments, Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Delhi will see an expansion of its medical facilities, including the increase of MBBS seats from 100 to 250. This will not only provide more opportunities for students but also add 666 new beds, increasing the hospital’s capacity from 1,532 to 2,198 beds, in a bid to provide better healthcare services to the public.
The government’s ongoing focus on improving medical education and healthcare infrastructure reflects a commitment to building a robust healthcare system to meet the challenges of the future. As the country prepares for the NEET UG exam on May 4, 2025, students will have more opportunities to pursue their dreams of becoming doctors, with a greater number of seats available in both undergraduate and postgraduate medical courses.
This significant expansion of medical seats is a crucial step toward addressing the medical workforce shortage in India, ensuring a healthier future for the nation.
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