Amidst a persistent shortage of doctors, particularly in underserved areas, existing measures to ease MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) intake norms are expected to continue. These measures, which include increasing the number of MBBS seats and relaxing the requirements for establishing new medical colleges, aim to address the growing demand for healthcare professionals.
The shortage of physicians is a multifaceted problem. Projections estimate a shortfall of up to 40,000 primary care physicians in the United States by 2036, driven by an aging population and increasing healthcare needs. Contributing factors include physician burnout, early retirement, and some choosing administrative roles over direct patient care.
To combat this, efforts have been made to increase the number of medical graduates. In October 2025, the National Medical Commission (NMC) approved a significant increase of 10,650 MBBS seats and 41 new medical colleges, bringing the total capacity to roughly 1.37 lakh seats across approximately 816 colleges. Further support came in December 2025 with the approval of 10,023 additional MBBS seats under Centrally Sponsored Schemes for the years 2025-26 to 2028-29. This expansion builds upon the substantial growth seen in the past decade, with MBBS seats rising from around 51,000 in 2013-14 to over 1.18 lakh in 2024-25. The increase has been facilitated by establishing colleges in underserved districts, upgrading existing government medical colleges, and revising minimum standards under the NMC's 2023 regulations.
Beyond increasing the number of seats, some institutions are exploring accelerated medical programs. These programs compress the traditional four-year medical school curriculum into three years for students committed to general medicine. Preliminary analysis suggests no significant difference in medical knowledge or performance between students in three- and four-year programs. These accelerated programs also offer financial benefits, saving students a year's worth of tuition, which averages around $60,000 annually, and allowing them to start their practice earlier.
Additionally, states are addressing the shortage by easing licensing rules for foreign-trained physicians. Previously, most states required doctors with international training to repeat their residency in the U.S. to obtain a full medical license. Since 2023, at least nine states have eliminated this requirement for some internationally trained doctors, and more than a dozen others are considering similar legislation. Approximately 26% of doctors practicing in the U.S. were born elsewhere. Supporters argue that qualified doctors should not have to undergo a second residency, while opponents raise concerns about patient safety.
While the increase in MBBS seats is a positive step, challenges remain. Despite the rising numbers, a significant number of seats, particularly in high-fee private colleges and remote institutions, remain vacant. Experts also point out that simply increasing the number of graduates is insufficient. Retaining current staff through improved working conditions and addressing burnout are crucial. Furthermore, a growing focus on lifestyle among younger physicians means they are less inclined to work in rural areas, where the need is greatest. States are encouraged to collect data on the impact of these new rules, such as how many doctors participate, their specialties, and where they work after licensure. This data can then be compared with other methods of addressing the rural doctor shortage, such as adding residency programs at rural hospitals.
