NMC Not to Freeze New Medical Colleges or MBBS Seats 2025: Govt in Rajya Sabha

The Union Government has clarified that the National Medical Commission (NMC) has not taken any decision to freeze the approval of new medical colleges or the increase of MBBS seats for the academic year 2025–26. The clarification came in a written reply by Minister of State for Health, Anupriya Patel, during a Rajya Sabha session on Tuesday.

Highlights of the Government’s Statement

• No freeze decision: NMC has not imposed any restrictions on setting up new medical colleges or expanding seats.
• Structured evaluation process: The Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) of NMC follows a transparent, step-by-step process to evaluate applications.
• Online application system: Each year, applications are invited only through the official NMC portal.
• Regulatory framework: Approvals are guided by the NMC Act, 2019 and the Establishment of Medical Institutions, Assessment and Rating Regulations, 2023.

The Establishment of Medical Institutions, Assessment and Rating Regulations, 2023 issued by the National Medical Commission (NMC) aim to bring uniformity and accountability in medical education across India. These regulations lay down common standards for setting up new medical colleges and for the functioning of existing ones.

How the Approval Process Works

Minister Anupriya Patel outlined the detailed process followed by the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB):

1. Application Submission
   • Institutions can apply online for:
     • Establishing a new medical college
     • Increasing MBBS seats in existing colleges
     • Starting new postgraduate courses
     • Increasing seats in PG programs
   • Applications are considered only if they meet the Minimum Standard Requirements specified by the Undergraduate or Postgraduate Medical Education Boards.
2. Preliminary Scrutiny
   • MARB conducts an initial review of applications.
   • If deficiencies are found, the institution receives a Show Cause Notice (SCN) with an opportunity to address the issues.
3. Assessment and Verification
   • Evaluation is carried out by a randomly selected pool of expert assessors to ensure objectivity.
   • Verification methods may include:
     • Document checks (digital or physical)
     • Aadhaar-based attendance registers
     • Live video feed or photographic evidence
     • Hospital Management Information System (HMIS) data
     • Surprise physical inspections
4. Scrutiny of Reports
   • Assessment reports are reviewed by expert scrutinizers.
   • If shortcomings remain, another SCN is issued under Section 28 of the NMC Act.
5. Final Approval
   • A Letter of Permission (LoP) is granted only when the institution is fully compliant with all provisions of the NMC Act, 2019 and related regulations.

Section 28 (NMC Act, 2019): No one can start a new medical college without the NMC’s prior permission. Application, inspection, and approval are mandatory to ensure that infrastructure, faculty, and hospital facilities meet standards. Section 29 (NMC Act, 2019): Existing colleges cannot increase MBBS/PG seats or start new courses without NMC approval. The college must apply and prove adequate facilities before permission is granted.

There has been speculation in recent weeks about whether NMC planned to pause approvals for new medical colleges or restrict seat increases for MBBS courses. With nearly 24 lakh aspirants appearing for NEET UG 2025, the availability of seats remains a crucial concern for students and parents.

By clarifying that no freeze has been decided, the government has assured stakeholders that the expansion of medical education infrastructure will continue as per due process.

The statement in the Rajya Sabha makes it clear that the National Medical Commission’s approval process is ongoing, and no freeze has been imposed for 2025-26. Medical institutions that meet the required standards and regulations can still apply for new colleges, MBBS seat increases, or PG course expansions.

For aspirants, this means the possibility of more medical seats and institutions opening up in the coming years, provided colleges clear the rigorous evaluation system put in place by NMC.