The Tamil Nadu government is actively working to expand access to medical education by seeking permission from the National Medical Commission (NMC) to increase MBBS seats in eight government-run medical colleges. The state proposes adding 50 seats to each of these colleges, which currently have 100 seats each. If approved by the NMC, this initiative would result in an additional 400 MBBS seats in government colleges by 2025.
The move comes as competition for medical college admissions intensifies, leading to increasingly high cut-offs each year. Expanding the number of seats is expected to alleviate this pressure and provide more opportunities for aspiring medical students. The state health minister, Ma Subramanian, has emphasized the need for increased seats, stating, “We have asked for more seats in eight medical colleges. If they are approved, we can start admissions with an improved seat matrix from 2025.”
The director of medical education, Dr. J Sangumani, has highlighted the readiness of these government colleges to accommodate additional students. He stated that several colleges, such as the Chengalpet Medical College, are well-established with existing infrastructure, including hospital beds, patients, and teaching staff. He further explained that while most new medical colleges have 150 seats, a significant number of older colleges remain stuck with only 100 seats, creating a disparity in capacity.
Beyond increasing seats in existing colleges, the state is also actively pursuing the establishment of new medical colleges in six districts. The government plans to utilize a centrally sponsored scheme for this initiative, with 60% of the funding coming from the Union government. The state’s policy aims to provide each district with a dedicated medical college, ensuring accessible specialty care for residents in rural areas. This move aligns with the government’s commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure and services across the state.
