Centre approves Four medical colleges in Jharkhand; MBBS Seats up by 350 for NEET UG Aspirants

The new medical colleges will be established in Khunti, Jamtara, Dhanbad, and Giridih districts, targeting rural and semi-urban healthcare gaps

The central government has greenlit four new medical colleges for Jharkhand under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, adding 350 MBBS seats to state's quota. The decision will improve opportunities for NEET UG students and healthcare access in some of the underserved regions of the state.

The approvals for new medical colleges were given during a high-level meeting of Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) under the Ministry of Finance in New Delhi. Ajay Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary of Jharkhand's Health Department, presented the proposals under central government's "PPP Mode Medical College Establishment Scheme."

The new medical colleges will be established in Khunti, Jamtara, Dhanbad, and Giridih districts, targeting rural and semi-urban healthcare gaps in these places. Under the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) sub-schemes, the projects will receive joint financial support from the Centre and the state.

As reported by Hindustan, Khunti Medical College will have 50 MBBS seats; while Jamtara, Dhanbad, and Giridih Medical Colleges will have 100 seats each.

For Khunti, Jamtara, and Giridih the Centre will take care of 40% of capital costs and 25% of operational expenses, with state government contributing 25-40% for capital and 15-25% for operations. Dhanbad will see 30% capital support from each of the governments.