As of July 2024, there are 1,386,136 allopathic doctors registered with the State Medical Councils and the National Medical Commission (NMC), according to information provided by the NMC. The doctor-population ratio in the country is 1:836, surpassing the WHO standard of 1:1000, Minister of State for Health Anupriya Patel informed the Lok Sabha. According to the National Medical Commission (NMC), there are 1,386,136 registered allopathic doctors as of July 2024.

There are 731 medical colleges in the country with 112,112 MBBS seats and 72,627 PG seats. The government has approved 157 new medical colleges under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS), with 109 operational. The CSS has also funded increases of 4,977 MBBS seats and 8,058 PG seats across various colleges. Additionally, 75 projects for upgrading government medical colleges are underway, and 22 new AIIMS have been approved, with undergraduate courses starting in 19. The DNB qualification is now recognized for teaching positions, and the age limit for medical faculty appointments has been extended to 70 years.

India achieved the World Health Organization’s recommended doctor-to-population ratio of 1:1,000 by 2018. This milestone calls for a shift in focus from merely increasing doctor numbers to enhancing fiscal capacity and healthcare infrastructure. It is crucial to address both public and private sector needs to meet the growing population’s demands and align with sustainable development goals for 2030.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Sabrin Saba Hussain/MSM)