Archive · 25 Jul 2026
India's MBBS Seats and Doctor-Population Ratio
India has increased the number of MBBS seats from 1,09,115 in 2023-24 to 1,28,976 in 2025-26.
Postgraduate medical seats have also risen from 31,185 to 86,360 in the same period.
The country has 15,35,155 registered allopathic doctors and 7,51,768 AYUSH practitioners, making the total number of registered medical practitioners 22,86,923.
Assuming 80% availability, the doctor-population ratio is estimated at 1:778.
The National Medical Commission has announced further expansion for 2026-27, with a total of 1,36,939 MBBS seats across 823 medical colleges.
While the government is making efforts to increase the number of doctors, the doctor-population ratio remains a concern.
MBBS seats increased from 1,09,115 in 2023-24 to 1,28,976 in 2025-26.
PG medical seats rose from 31,185 to 86,360 in the same period.
India has 15,35,155 registered allopathic doctors and 7,51,768 AYUSH practitioners.
Doctor-population ratio estimated at 1:778, assuming 80% availability.
NMC announced 1,36,939 MBBS seats for 2026-27 across 823 medical colleges.
- Who
- Union Health Minister J P Nadda
- What
- Increase in MBBS and PG medical seats, doctor-population ratio
- When
- 2023-24 to 2025-26
- Where
- India
- Why
- To address the shortage of doctors and expand medical education
Government's Efforts
Challenges in Healthcare
Increase in MBBS Seats
Government's Efforts
The government has significantly increased MBBS seats from 1,09,115 in 2023-24 to 1,28,976 in 2025-26, showing a commitment to expanding medical education.
Challenges in Healthcare
Despite the increase, the doctor-population ratio remains low at 1:778, indicating a persistent shortage of doctors.
Doctor-Population Ratio
Government's Efforts
The government estimates the doctor-population ratio at 1:778, considering 80% of registered practitioners are available for service.
Challenges in Healthcare
Critics argue that the actual availability of doctors is lower, and the ratio does not reflect the true healthcare access in rural areas.
- MBBS Seats (2023-24)
- 1,09,115
- MBBS Seats (2025-26)
- 1,28,976
- PG Medical Seats (2023-24)
- 31,185
- PG Medical Seats (2025-26)
- 86,360
- Registered Allopathic Doctors
- 15,35,155
- Registered AYUSH Practitioners
- 7,51,768
- Total Registered Medical Practitioners
- 22,86,923
- Doctor-Population Ratio
- 1:778
- MBBS Seats (2026-27)
- 1,36,939
- Medical Colleges
- 823