The Centre has granted approval for 320 postgraduate medical seats across six government medical colleges in Himachal Pradesh. This decision was announced by Union Health Minister J P Nadda on Saturday, with the Union government providing financial assistance of approximately Rs 415 crore. The initiative aims to enhance specialist medical education and improve access to specialised healthcare services within the state.

Nadda urged the Himachal Pradesh government to expedite the necessary formalities to ensure that students and the public can benefit from this initiative as soon as possible. The approval is seen as a crucial step towards expanding medical education and strengthening healthcare services in the region.

Medical Colleges Benefiting from the Approval

The approved seats will be distributed among six government medical colleges located in Shimla, Tanda, Hamirpur, Mandi, Nahan, and Chamba, as stated by the Union health ministry. Specifically, the distribution includes 91 seats for Shimla, 57 each for Tanda and Hamirpur, 55 for Mandi, 32 for Nahan, and 28 for Chamba.

This increase in postgraduate seats is expected to bolster specialist medical education and healthcare services in various fields, including surgery, orthopaedics, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, and oncology, among others. The decision reflects the government’s commitment to enhancing healthcare infrastructure in Himachal Pradesh.

Nadda highlighted that the proposal from the state government was submitted on June 23, 2026, and was subsequently discussed with the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh during the convocation ceremony of AIIMS Bilaspur on October 6, 2026. He expressed satisfaction with the swift action taken by the central government in approving all 320 seats.

Broader Context of Medical Education Expansion

The introduction of these new postgraduate seats is part of a larger initiative aimed at expanding medical education across India. Over the past 12 years, medical education in the country has reportedly expanded significantly under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Centre has launched a Rs 15,000-crore initiative to create an additional 10,000 undergraduate and postgraduate medical seats nationwide over a five-year period.

Nadda has called upon the Congress-led government in Himachal Pradesh to take prompt action in operationalising the approved seats. He emphasised that timely action would ensure that medical graduates can benefit from these new opportunities without unnecessary delays.

In addition to the medical seats, Nadda urged the state government to accelerate the implementation of other development projects that are receiving central support. He specifically mentioned the Chandigarh-Baddi and Bhanupalli-Bilaspur railway projects, requesting a swift resolution of outstanding issues related to financial contributions and land availability.

Future Prospects for Healthcare in Himachal Pradesh

Nadda also called for the expedited development of critical care blocks and public health laboratories that are being established with central assistance. He reiterated the importance of timely completion of development projects that directly benefit the citizens of Himachal Pradesh.

The central government is committed to providing all necessary support for the state’s development, and Nadda expressed the expectation that the state government would prioritise the timely completion of these initiatives. He concluded by stating that the focus remains on the development of Himachal Pradesh and the welfare of its residents.

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