Chandigarh: In a significant development for medical education in North India, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has approved an increase in MBBS seats at Govt Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, Chandigarh. With this, annual intake will rise from 150 to 200 seats, beginning with the 2026‑27 academic session.Chandigarh administration hailed the approval as a milestone in its efforts to strengthen undergraduate medical education. Officials said the expansion would allow more aspiring doctors to train at one of the region’s leading govt institutions, thereby improving access to quality medical education.The proposal to raise the intake was initiated after the Supreme Court directed the Chandigarh administration to implement 27% reservation for the Other Backward Classes (OBC). The order, delivered in July 2025 in the case Dhruvi Yadav vs Union of India, required compliance without reducing the number of seats available to the general category. To meet this mandate, the administration recommended adding 50 seats and forwarded the proposal to the NMC.The matter was discussed at the level of the Punjab governor and UT administrator. With consensus on the need to comply with the apex court’s directive, the proposal was formally submitted to the NMC. The Commission’s approval now ensures that the reservation policy can be implemented without adversely affecting existing categories.Beyond the reservation requirement, the administration argued that GMCH‑32 needed additional manpower to cater to its growing patient load. The hospital receives patients from Chandigarh and neighboring states, making it a crucial healthcare hub. Officials noted that more students would translate into more interns, strengthening emergency services and improving patient care.In its communication to the ministry of health and family welfare, the administration emphasised that the increase was both necessary and feasible. GMCH currently has 1,198 beds, including emergency and trauma facilities, and adequate clinical material as per Medical Council of India norms. The institution also has sufficient faculty strength to handle the expanded intake.The administration’s letter highlighted that the additional seats would create a larger pool of graduates eligible for postgraduate courses. This, in turn, would help address the shortage of medical specialists in the region. Officials stressed that the move was in public interest, as it would enhance healthcare delivery and community health outcomes.GMCH authorities said the expansion would further the institution’s mission of producing competent and compassionate medical professionals. The increased intake is expected to support long‑term goals of improving the availability of qualified doctors and strengthening healthcare infrastructure.An official statement from the UT administration underscored that the approval reflects GMCH’s commitment to maintaining high academic standards and complying with NMC benchmarks. The institution has consistently invested in infrastructure and faculty development, ensuring that students receive rigorous training aligned with national quality norms.The administration also pointed out that the decision would benefit patients directly. With more interns and graduates entering the system, hospitals in the region will have additional workforce to manage emergencies, routine care, and specialised services. This is expected to ease pressure on existing staff and improve patient outcomes.The increase in MBBS seats is part of a broader strategy to expand medical education capacity across the country.Box: More doctors for more patientsSupreme Court Directive: Expansion proposed to comply with July 2025 apex court order mandating 27% reservation for OBC categoryAdministrative Push: Proposal discussed at governor‑administrator level before being sent to NMC for approvalHealthcare Need: Increase justified by rising patient load; more interns will strengthen emergency services and improve patient careInfrastructure Ready: GMCH has 1,198 beds, trauma facilities, and adequate faculty as per Medical Council of India normsFuture Benefits: Larger pool of MBBS graduates will feed into postgraduate courses, helping address specialist shortagesPublic Interest: Administration emphasised expansion as feasible, desirable, and essential for community health
