In a significant development for medical education in India, officials have announced the approval of fifty new medical colleges this year. These additions will contribute 8,195 additional undergraduate seats, bringing the total number of such seats in the country to over 1,07,658. The approval of these colleges, including 30 government and 20 private institutions, has increased the overall number of medical colleges in India to 702.
The newly approved medical colleges are spread across various states including Telangana, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Nagaland, Maharashtra, Assam, Karnataka, Gujarat, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. This expansion aims to meet the growing demand for medical education and address the shortage of doctors in several regions.
However, the announcement has sparked criticism and accusations of discrimination against the aspirations of Kerala. The Kerala government had officially requested the establishment of a medical college in Wayanad, but the state had reportedly been overlooked when new nursing colleges were announced. Critics argue that this disparity raises concerns about the Modi government’s treatment of Kerala’s demands.
The approval of these new medical colleges also coincides with a tense Centre-state relationship, particularly regarding borrowing limits. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan recently expressed dissatisfaction with the attitude of the BJP-ruled Centre, describing it as sadistic.
Discussion about this post