J&K witnesses medical education boom as MBBS seats surge from 1,085 to 1,676 in 4 years: Union Health Ministry

Srinagar, Apr 3: Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a significant expansion in medical education over the past four academic years, with a sharp rise in both undergraduate and postgraduate seats, according to data presented in the Lok Sabha by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

As per the data shared by Union Minister of State for Health Anupriya Patel, MBBS seats in J&K have increased from 1,085 in 2021–22 to 1,676 in 2025–26, marking an addition of 591 seats—an increase of nearly 54 percent.

Postgraduate (PG) seats have also recorded substantial growth, rising from 606 to 808 during the same period, an addition of 202 seats reflecting a 33 percent increase. Notably, the largest expansion has taken place in the current academic year (2025–26), with the approval of 329 MBBS seats and 144 PG (MD/MS) seats.

The expansion has been driven largely under centrally sponsored schemes for establishing new Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) attached to district and referral hospitals. Jammu and Kashmir now has seven such colleges, including five approved under Phase-I and two under Phase-III of the programme.

According to the year-wise data tabled in Parliament, MBBS seat intake in J&K stood at 1,085 in 2021–22, 1,147 in 2022–23, 1,339 in 2023–24, 1,347 in 2024–25, and 1,676 in 2025–26.

At the national level, MBBS seats have increased from 92,065 in 2021–22 to 1,28,976 in 2025–26, while PG seats have risen from 47,419 to 68,175 during the same period. The year 2025–26 has been described as a major expansion phase, with the Centre approving 43 new medical colleges and 11,682 additional MBBS seats across the country. Karnataka remains the leading state in terms of seat capacity, with 13,944 MBBS and 8,442 PG seats.

Meanwhile, responding to a separate query regarding alleged irregularities under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and the National Health Mission (NHM), the Minister stated that empanelled hospitals are required to provide treatment to eligible beneficiaries as per prescribed guidelines.

She added that denial of treatment may invite strict action, including de-empanelment, under existing provisions. Beneficiaries can register complaints through the Central Grievance Redressal Management System (CGRMS) portal or the National Call Centre helpline (14555), with grievances addressed through a three-tier redressal mechanism.