Centre to Add 75,000 Medical Seats in Next Five Years: FM Sitharaman

Bhubaneswar: In a major push to strengthen India’s healthcare infrastructure, the Union Government will add 75,000 medical seats across the country over the next five years, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced while presenting the Union Budget 2025-26 in Parliament today.

Highlighting the expansion of medical education, the Finance Minister stated, “Our government has added around 1.1 lakh undergraduate and postgraduate medical education seats in the last 10 years. We will create 10,000 additional seats in medical colleges and hospitals next year, with a target of adding 75,000 medical seats over the next five years.”

The initiative aims to improve the doctor-patient ratio, ensuring better healthcare accessibility across urban and rural areas.

In another significant move, the Finance Minister announced exemptions on basic customs duty for 36 lifesaving drugs, bringing relief to patients, especially those battling cancer, rare diseases, and severe chronic illnesses.

To further strengthen healthcare facilities, the government has planned to set up cancer care centres in all district headquarters hospitals (DHHs).

Additionally, the Budget has increased the allocation for Mission Shakti, a flagship initiative aimed at women’s empowerment, to ₹3,150 crore for the current financial year.