NMC Approves 200 MBBS Seats for Phulbani and Talcher Colleges

• Odisha gains 200 new MBBS seats in Phulbani, Talcher colleges.
• Total MBBS seats in state medical colleges are now 2,600.
• The initiative aims to strengthen healthcare access in tribal, industrial regions.

The government announced that the National Medical Commission has sanctioned the admission of 200 MBBS seats in two new medical colleges located in Phulbani and Talcher for the ongoing academic session.

As a result, the overall count of MBBS seats in state medical colleges increased to 2,600, with 1,800 available in government institutions. A total of 100 seats were sanctioned for Phulbani Government Medical College, while an additional 100 seats were authorized for Pabitra Mohan Pradhan Government Medical College in Talcher. Both institutions will start enrolling students and initiate classes in the 2025-26 academic year.

CM Mohan Charan Majhi expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Health Minister J P Nadda for sanctioning 200 additional MBBS seats for the state. "This landmark step will open new avenues in medical education and further strengthen healthcare services in Talcher, Kandhamal, and across Odisha, ensuring wider access to affordable and quality healthcare for our people," Majhi said in his X post.

Also Read: Karnataka to Add 450+ New Medical Seats for 2025-26 Session

Majhi expressed his approval of the NMC, stating that Odisha has reached another significant milestone in health education. "With this, 200 Odia students will be able to pursue medical education from the current academic year. It is a proud moment for the state as we continue to expand opportunities in the healthcare sector," he said.

The creation of new medical colleges in areas such as Phulbani and Talcher is anticipated to enhance healthcare availability in tribal and industrial regions. Local communities and public officials have consistently called for medical education institutions in these districts to close the gap in healthcare services.

With this authorization, Odisha now has 12 governmental medical colleges offering 1,800 MBBS seats, along with three private medical colleges and two deemed universities providing 800 MBBS seats. At present, government hospitals in the state face a deficit of 5,800 doctors statewide.