Ranchi: Jharkhand govt has urged the National Medical Commission (NMC) to add 431 seats in the state-run medical colleges for the 2027-28 academic session, officials said on Saturday.In its proposal, the state department of health, medical education and family welfare has sought 220 undergraduate (UG) and 211 postgraduate (PG) seats in what it termed as an attempt to strengthen Jharkhand’s healthcare infrastructure and medical education.Ajoy Kumar Singh, additional chief secretary of the health department, said, “The increase in PG seats would ensure smoother functioning of medical education within the state. This initiative would help address the shortage of specialist doctors and enable the people of Jharkhand to access better healthcare. Increase in the number of doctors will help provide timely and quality healthcare.”In the 2026-27 academic year, the number of UG seats at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College and Hospital in Jamshedpur rose from 100 to 150. Likewise, the number of PG seats rose from 45 to 51. In Dhanbad, the number of PG seats at Shaheed Nirmal Mahto Medical College and Hospital (SNMMCH) was increased from 9 to 19.Department officials said they are now seeking an increase of 50 UG seats each in medical colleges in Dhanbad, Dumka, and Hazaribag, bringing their individual totals to 150. The department has sought 70 additional UG seats for Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences in Ranchi for the 2027-28 academic calendar. Rims now has 180 UG seats.This move is part of a broader mission to nearly double the state’s total undergraduate medical seats from the current 730 to 1,500 over the next four years.That apart the govt is looking to introduce PG courses at Phulo Jhano Medical College in Dumka and Medini Rai Medical College in Palamu with 21 seats each, while Sheikh Bihari Medical College in Hazaribag is expected to start with 30 seats in 2027-28, the proposal for which has been sent to NMC.The department said it is planning to add 48 new PG seats in MGMMCH (which has 51 seats at present) and 21 seats in SNMCCH (which has 19 at present). That apart, there are plans to add 70 new PG seats in Rims to increase its strength to 246.
