Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Jagat Prakash Nadda, has announced that the central government has approved the proposal to increase 320 new postgraduate (PG) medical seats across 6 government medical colleges in Himachal Pradesh. For this major project, the central government will provide a generous grant of approximately 415 crore rupees. Describing this decision as a vital step towards the expansion of medical education under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, JP Nadda stated that this initiative will provide ample opportunities for the youth of Himachal Pradesh to pursue higher medical education within their own home state. Plus, the increase in the number of specialist doctors will greatly assist in providing superior healthcare services to the people residing across the state.
Swift Decision-Making Process on the Proposal
Highlighting the prompt action taken by the central government on this proposal, JP Nadda mentioned that the proposal from the Himachal Pradesh government was officially received on June 23, 2026. Following this, the matter was also discussed with the Chief Minister during the convocation ceremony of AIIMS Bilaspur on October 6, and now the central government has given its formal approval to all 320 proposed seats.
Allocation of Seats Across Medical Colleges
Stating that the central government worked expeditiously on Himachal's proposal, JP Nadda said that they now expect the state government to take necessary administrative steps with equal urgency so that the youth and general public of the state can reap the benefits as soon as possible. These 320 new seats include 91 seats for Shimla, 57 seats each for Tanda and Hamirpur, 55 seats for Mandi, 32 seats for Nahan, and 28 seats for Chamba. The addition of these seats will Importantly help in increasing the availability of specialist doctors in various critical fields such as surgery, orthopedics, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, and oncology, thereby substantially upgrading local healthcare services.
Major National Scheme for Medical Education Expansion
JP Nadda noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several monumental steps have been taken over the past 12 years to expand medical education and strengthen healthcare infrastructure nationwide. As part of this continuous national endeavor, the central government has approved a comprehensive scheme worth 15000 crore rupees to add 10,000 new undergraduate and postgraduate medical seats across the country over the next five years. The sanction of 320 new PG medical seats in Himachal Pradesh is an integral component of this broader national scheme.
Urgent Need to Complete Prerequisites for Timely Rollout
The Union Health Minister strongly urged the Himachal Pradesh government to take all necessary steps to operationalize these 320 seats within the stipulated timeframe so that students can benefit from them without any avoidable delays. He also emphasized the urgent need to accelerate the pace of other critical developmental projects currently underway in the state with the active assistance of the central government.
Focus on Infrastructure and Rail Projects
JP Nadda stressed that pending issues related to the state government's financial share and land acquisition for vital railway projects such as Chandigarh Baddi and Bhanupalli Bilaspur must be resolved at the earliest. Similarly, he underscored the necessity of speeding up the construction work of critical care blocks and public health laboratories being established with the active collaboration of the central government. He explicitly stated that developmental works concerning the welfare of the people of Himachal must not face any delays. The central government is extending every possible support for the holistic development of the state, and it's expected that the state government will accord high priority to these projects and execute them on time. Reaffirming the commitment of the administration, Nadda concluded that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the central government remains fully dedicated to strengthening medical education, healthcare services, and basic infrastructure in Himachal Pradesh, with a clear priority focused squarely on the development of Himachal and the welfare of every local family.