RGUHS Approves 1500 Medical Seats in Karnataka

RGUHS Approves 1500 Medical Seats in Karnataka: The Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) has cleared the recommendations made by the Local Inspection Committee (LIC) for increasing the quantum of seats at eight private and 16 state-run medical colleges across Karnataka. As a result, Karnataka is likely to have 1500 more MBBS seats. As per the media reports, RGUHS has proposed to add 1600 MBBS seats at the existing medical colleges and also approved a new private medical college in Hunsur, Mysore District. Also, another 250 seats may be added to the seat matrix of Karnataka if the new government medical colleges proposed at Ramanagara and Kanakapura start functioning from the academic year 2025-2026.

These developments have been criticized by the stakeholders since some of the medical colleges that have now been allowed to increase the intake capacity were penalised by the National Medical Commission (NMC) for lack of infrastructure and adequate faculty strength. However, a former RGUHS Vice-Chancellor stated that the increase in the number of seats has not yet been approved by RGUHS and NMC must re-examine all the facilities at the colleges before increasing the number of seats at medical colleges.

Meanwhile, most of the medical colleges lack adequate faculty strength. As per the data provided by the Union Minister of State for Health Smt. Anupriya Patel, Karnataka has the maximum number (12545) of MBBS seats. The addition of more seats will only burden the current faculties and the value of medical education might decline.

Members of the RGUHS syndicate suspect the ongoing developments and have asked the National Medical Commission (NMC) for a thorough inspection before taking any decisions. The syndicate has also written a letter to the governor of Karnataka to look into the issue.