Karnataka government has thrown a red flag on the drastic disparity between the increasing number of NEET hopefuls and the sparse number of medical seats in India, calling upon the National Medical Commission (NMC) to immediately take corrective measures. The call was made by Sharan Prakash Patil, Karnataka’s Medical Education and Skill Development Minister, at the 2019 batch graduation ceremony of the Sri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical College and Research Institute (SABVMC).
Quoting statistics that pinpoint the intensifying crisis in access to medical education, Patil emphasized that as many as five lakh students from Karnataka and other states take the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) every year, vying for as few as one lakh undergraduate medical seats available in India. This mismatch, he cautioned, not only quells the aspirations of numerous meritous aspirants but also slows down India’s long-term health goals.
“Increasing disparity requires urgent attention,” said Patil, specifically addressing NMC chairperson Dr B N Gangadhara, who attended the function. “The doctors we are producing in India are not for India alone but for the world. We need to act now.”
Karnataka govt has already made a formal application to the NMC, requesting an approval for another 800 undergraduate and 600 postgraduate seats for the state for the academic year 2025-26. The proposal, once approved, would greatly enhance Karnataka’s medical education strength, particularly helping students from economically weaker sections.
Karnataka government: Is an all-India medical seat hike the need of the hour?
The appeal from Karnataka govt coincides with the time when access to healthcare and preparedness of the workforce have become key issues, not only at the national level but internationally. With the World Health Organization estimating a shortage of close to three crore doctors at the world level, India stands in a position to take the lead by forging a new generation of doctors.
Patil seconded this, repeating the Karnataka govt’s ambitious proposal to set up a medical college in each district, with attached hospitals, trauma centres, cancer units, and super-specialty wings. He assured that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has approved this project. “Soon, each district without a medical college will have a fully equipped institution,” Patil said, adding that these colleges would also provide free education to deserving students under government sponsorship.
“Democratic education is our goal. With the support of the Karnataka govt, students from the most remote parts of the state will no longer be deprived of a chance just because of the lack of infrastructure or affordability,” said Patil.
Dr B N Gangadhara, the chairperson of the NMC, also spoke at the event and endorsed the Karnataka govt’s vision. He explained that the requirement for additional doctors has become more acute in the post-pandemic era. “India needs to unlock its potential to be a global supplier of healthcare professionals. Our doctors are not only well-known for clinical expertise but also language skills and flexibility,”
He welcomed the Karnataka govt’s plan and assured that the Commission is also considering proposals of various states, which are interested in boosting their intake capacity. “We will keep promoting programs that elevate the standard and scale of medical education in India,” Dr Gangadhara ensured.
Although the Karnataka govt’s immediate request is for additional seats, its long-term vision includes digital learning centers, simulation laboratories, and integrated rural internship models to enhance medical education from the grassroots.
Industry experts and academicians welcomed the minister’s remarks. Dr Priya Narayan, Dean of SABVMC, said the Karnataka govt’s move was timely. “We’ve seen brilliant students give up on medicine because they couldn’t make the cut due to seat scarcity. Expanding seats is the most practical solution,” she said.
Karnataka aspirants from backward areas like Kalaburagi, Bidar, and Raichur have long complained about restricted access to top institutions. Students and parents who graced the ceremony expressed hope that the Karnataka govt’s efforts at expansion would plug the gap and create new opportunities.
The burden on medical colleges is also added to by infrastructure and faculty deficits, but the Karnataka govt is of the opinion that through focused investment and Centre-State coordination, these obstacles can be braved. Hiring more qualified professors and upgrading machinery in state-owned institutions is also planned
The Karnataka government’s shrill call to the NMC highlights a pressing and greater national issue—tipping the balance of India’s medical education system in favor of demand over supply. As Indian doctors become increasingly recognized internationally and the impending global shortage of healthcare professionals becomes more pronounced, India stands at a crucial turning point.
For lakhs of NEET candidates who keep their hopes alive of getting a seat each year, the Karnataka govt’s initiative can be a welcome step toward inclusive and equitable medical education. The NMC now has its turn to counter with policy choices that match the magnitude of the challenge.
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