Amid growing concerns over the vast disparity between NEET aspirants and available medical seats, the Karnataka government has appealed to the National Medical Commission (NMC) to significantly increase undergraduate medical seat allocations across the country.
During the graduation ceremony of the 2019 batch at Sri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical College and Research Institute (SABVMC), Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil highlighted the urgency of the situation. “Each year, over 5 lakh students appear for NEET, but only around 1 lakh medical seats are up for grabs. This imbalance demands urgent attention,” Patil stated, addressing NMC Chairperson Dr B N Gangadhar, who attended the event.
To address this gap, the Karnataka government has already submitted a proposal seeking an additional 800 undergraduate and 600 postgraduate seats for the next academic year.
Reinforcing Karnataka’s commitment to expanding healthcare infrastructure, Patil reaffirmed the state’s vision of establishing a medical college in every district, equipped with hospitals, trauma care centres, cancer treatment units, and super-speciality services. He also emphasized the government’s goal to support deserving students from economically weaker backgrounds by sponsoring their medical education at government institutions.
Echoing the minister’s concerns, Dr Gangadhar cited a global shortage of nearly 30 million doctors, urging young individuals to consider careers in medicine. “Indian doctors are globally respected for their strong training and language skills,” he said, underlining the NMC’s commitment to producing globally competent professionals.
Other dignitaries in attendance included Shivajinagar MLA Rizwan Arshad, Principal Secretary Mohammed Mohsin, Director of Medical Education Dr B L Sujatha Rathod, and SABVMC Director Dr Manoj Kumar H V.
