New Delhi: In a big relief to the aspirants for the MBBS entrance, the Government has increased 4,465 seats in 132 government medical colleges across the country in the current academic year, on the recommendations of the Medical Council of India (MCI). Sources said more seats may be allowed, as the MCI allowed till today (Saturday) six states that did not seek increase in the intake in their medical colleges. The new seats are in addition to 74,215 seats for MBBS already available. Since the central counselling for admissions has already begun, the sources said the counselling for the increased seats will be conducted in the second phase.
At the request of the government to facilitate production of more doctors to overcome the acute shortage, the MCI relaxed its strict parameters to allow more seats in the medical colleges, claiming it would not affect the quality of education in any manner. In view of 10 per cent reservation to the economically-weaker sections (EWS) in the general category, the government envisages an increase of 25% seats in all government medical colleges in two years.