Big boost for medical aspirants in UT
Govind Sharma
JAMMU, Sept 3: Aspiring doctors in Jammu and Kashmir have received a big boost as the National Medical Commission (NMC) has sanctioned 190 additional MBBS seats for the academic session 2025-26 for five Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) in the Union Territory.
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According to officials, the NMC has issued Letters of Permission for the increase. The biggest beneficiaries are GMC Baramulla, GMC Doda and GMC Kathua, each of which has been allotted 50 additional seats. Meanwhile, GMC Jammu and GMC Srinagar-the oldest and largest institutions in the region-have been granted 20 more seats each. This decision has pushed the overall MBBS intake in Government Medical Colleges of J&K from 1,185 to 1,375 seats.
The break-up of the revised intake shows how capacity has significantly grown across the institutions. GMCs Doda, Baramulla and Kathua, each with 100 seats earlier, will now accommodate 150 students each while GMC Jammu and GMC Srinagar, already among the most sought-after colleges, have reached the upper ceiling of 200 seats each, considered the maximum intake permissible under current regulations.
A senior faculty member of GMC Jammu remarked that reaching the 200-seat level is a milestone for the institution. “Beyond this limit, the college would require substantial additions in infrastructure, laboratories, hostels and faculty strength. The NMC is gradually working to bring all medical colleges to the 200-seat benchmark, and Jammu as well as Srinagar have now achieved it,” he said.
The development is expected to bring relief to thousands of aspiring students in J&K, where demand for medical seats is always far greater than availability. Educationists believed that this expansion will not only reduce the pressure of competition but also ensure that more local students can pursue medical education within the Union Territory instead of moving outside.
Officials further pointed out that the increase will have a long-term impact on healthcare delivery. “With more doctors trained locally, hospitals and health centres across J&K will get much-needed manpower support, especially in underserved districts,” a spokesperson noted and indicated that approval for more MBBS seats may come before the third round of counselling, offering additional opportunities for students this year itself.
Meanwhile, the office of the Lieutenant Governor also issued a statement on X, welcoming the move. “Grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Jagat Prakash Nadda for increasing MBBS seats across Government Medical Colleges of J&K, taking total MBBS seats in GMCs from 1,185 to 1,375,” the statement read.
The LG’s office underlined that under PM Modi’s leadership, the number of additional MBBS and PG seats in the Union Territory has increased significantly over the past few years. The statement further added that this effort is part of the broader vision of ensuring accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare for all in the Union Territory.
Health Minister Sakina Itoo, in a statement posted on X, expressed happiness over the development. “Pleased to announce that NMC has granted Letter of Permission for 190 additional MBBS seats across five Medical Colleges of J&K for the academic session 2025-26,” she said.
She noted that this milestone had been made possible with the kind intervention and support of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Calling the step a big boost, the Health Minister said the expansion will go a long way in strengthening medical education in the Union Territory.
Itoo added that the increase in seats would also contribute to improving healthcare delivery by ensuring more trained doctors are available for the people of J&K in the years to come.
Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo noted that the expansion of MBBS seats has been the outcome of sustained efforts by the Health and Medical Education Department in coordination with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the National Medical Commission, with support from Dr V K Paul, Member NITI Aayog.
Pertinently, Dr Paul has been closely associated with several initiatives and reforms of the Health and Medical Education Department in J&K. These interventions are expected to play a key role in reshaping the healthcare and medical education ecosystem of the Union Territory in the coming years.
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