As of now, India has 13,86,157 registered allopathic doctors, as per the National Medical Commission (NMC), and 7,51,768 registered AYUSH practitioners, according to the Ministry of AYUSH. Based on an estimated 80% availability of these practitioners, the doctor-population ratio in the country stands at approximately 1:811.
To expand medical education and healthcare access, the number of medical colleges has increased from 387 in 2014 to 780 today. Similarly, undergraduate (UG) medical seats have risen from 51,348 to 1,15,900, and postgraduate (PG) seats from 31,185 to 74,306 during the same period, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Anupriya Patel stated.
Under various government schemes:
- 131 out of 157 approved new medical colleges are currently functional, established under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for upgrading district/referral hospitals.
- 71 out of 75 projects approved for Super Specialty Blocks under the PMSSY (Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana) have been completed.
- UG courses have commenced in 19 of the 22 approved AIIMS, set up under the Central Sector Scheme.
The Minimum Standard Requirements for Undergraduate Courses (MSR-2023) specify infrastructure and faculty norms based on student intake for new and existing institutions.
To reduce regional disparities, the government continues to prioritize underserved areas and aspirational districts under the following initiatives:
- Establishment of new medical colleges by upgrading existing government hospitals,
- Strengthening and upgradation of existing medical institutions to increase MBBS and PG seats,
- Setting up of new AIIMS and Super Specialty Blocks.
