NMC Approved 43 Medical Colleges in 2025-26; 265 Since 2021: Govt tells Parliament

Out of 80 applications received, 43 requests were approved in the academic year 2025-26. In the last five years, the maximum applications (74) were approved in the year 2024-25. 

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has approved 265 out of 443 applications for new medical colleges in the last five years. Union Minister of State for Health, Anupriya Patel, shared this data in the Lok Sabha while answering to questions about India's growing medical infrastructure and the role of private applicants in overall development.

The year-wise data shows a steady expansion in medical education in India. In 2021-22, 48 colleges were approved out of 82 applications, followed by 46 approvals in 2022-23 and 54 in 2023-24. The next year, 2024-25, saw an increase with 74 approvals from 112 applications. For the current 2025-26 academic session, the NMC has cleared 43 new college applications so far out of 80 applications.

How Many New Medical Colleges Were Approved in Last 5 Years?

The data for the number of applications received vs the number of applications accepted is provided below: 

Patel also highlighted that under current government regulations, no new medical college will be allowed to start without written permission. This approval has to come from the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) after they review a formal application. This rule will ensure that every new institution meets standards before admitting students. 

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