Karnataka says it has potential to add 1,513 UG and PG medical seats in government medical colleges

Karnataka plans to add 1,513 medical seats to meet growing demand for healthcare professionals, focusing on infrastructure and resources.

There is a potential to add 1,513 Under Graduate (UG) and Post Graduate (PG) medical seats in government medical colleges across Karnataka, says the State in its implementation plan for expansion of medical education in Karnataka, following a notice by the Union Ministry for Health and Family Welfare.

To meet the country’s growing demand for medical professionals and to ensure availability of health workforce across both rural and urban areas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his speech on the August 15, 2024, had set a goal of adding 75,000 medical seats, to be achieved within the next five years.

Following this, the Union government had sought information on the plan for expansion of medical education in all the States recently. “To implement the vision of expanding UG-PG medical seats, it is essential to assess the existing medical facilities in terms of infrastructure and other resources.... Creation of seats using existing infrastructure will augment achieving goal in a timely and cost-effective manner,” it said.

It also requested the details for exploring Diplomate of National Board (DNB) course opportunities, establishing standalone PG institutes.

In reply to this, the Directorate of Medical Education said that UG seats in government medical colleges in Karnataka is 3,500 (MBBS), which can be expanded by 900. The availability of PG seats in government medical colleges is 1,600 and the potential for increase in number is 613.

There are also a total 267 DNB seats available and 11 Model Maternal and Child Health (MCH) hospitals, which are in the process of applying for fresh accreditation. “Karnataka is in the process of identifying potential hospitals to start standalone PG institutes,” it added.

“Establishment of 157 nursing colleges co-located with 157 medical colleges approved under Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) of medical education division, identifying medical colleges to start new nursing colleges co-located with medical college, will also be done,” the State said.