UP Deputy CM Calls for PG Medical Seat Hike Amid Record NEET UG 2025 Turnout

Uttar Pradesh currently has around 3,378 PG medical seats (MD/MS/Diploma) across government and private institutions, according to data from the National Medical Commission (NMC).

With over 22 lakh students appearing for NEET UG 2025 and thousands qualifying from Uttar Pradesh alone, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak has called for a substantial increase in postgraduate (PG) medical seats across the state. The move is aimed at strengthening the healthcare system and ensuring academic progression for a growing number of MBBS graduates.

At a recent event in Lucknow, Pathak emphasised the urgent need to scale up PG medical education infrastructure in the state. "We are producing a large number of MBBS doctors every year, but our postgraduate capacity remains insufficient. This bottleneck not only limits career growth for students but also affects the availability of specialists in government hospitals," he said.

Uttar Pradesh’s Current Medical Education Landscape

Uttar Pradesh currently has around 3,378 PG medical seats (MD/MS/Diploma) across government and private institutions, according to data from the National Medical Commission (NMC). However, this number falls short when compared to the state’s annual MBBS output, which crossed 9,253 seats in 2024.

Pathak underlined the state's efforts to expand medical education at the undergraduate level by setting up new medical colleges, but pointed out that similar efforts are now needed at the PG level. “If we want to retain talent and ensure equitable health services in both urban and rural regions, increasing PG seats is a must,” he stated.

India’s Total Medical Seat Status

As of 2024-25 academic year, India has approximately:

1,09,145 MBBS seats (undergraduate level)

70,674 PG medical seats (including MD, MS, and PG diploma)

Despite steady annual growth in UG medical seats, the PG expansion has not kept pace, leading to intense competition. Thousands of MBBS graduates either face a long wait for PG admissions or opt for alternative career paths due to limited availability.

NEET UG 2025: Record Participation, Competitive Cut-Offs

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Undergraduate (NEET UG) 2025 was held on May 4, with over 22.7 lakh students registered, the highest to date. Approximately 21.9 lakh candidates appeared for the exam.

The results were declared on June 14, 2025, by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Unlike previous years, no student secured a perfect 720 score. The highest score this year was 686, contributing to a slight dip in cut-offs, especially in the unreserved and EWS categories.

What Lies Ahead: MCC & State Counselling

Following the results, qualified candidates are now participating in the Medical Counselling Committee’s (MCC) All India Quota (AIQ) counselling for 15% of MBBS and BDS seats. State-level counselling for the remaining 85% seats, including Uttar Pradesh, has also begun.

However, with over 1 lakh MBBS aspirants qualifying, the gap between UG and PG seats remains a major concern. Experts warn that unless postgraduate medical education is significantly scaled up, India may continue to face a shortage of specialists — especially in government-run facilities.

Brajesh Pathak’s call for more PG seats is part of a broader push by several state governments to align medical education capacity with national healthcare goals. If implemented, the move could not only improve India’s specialist doctor availability but also provide better academic opportunities to thousands of deserving students.

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