Kathmandu – The Medical Education Commission has decided to increase the number of seats in various levels of medical education for the current academic session.
The decision was made during the commission’s 21st meeting held at Singha Durbar on Thursday, chaired by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who is also the chairperson of the commission. According to the Prime Minister’s Secretariat, the meeting approved the recommendation of the commission’s Seat Determination Committee.
Previously, during its 20th meeting on Ashar 32, the commission had moved forward with the process of determining seats for certificate-level programs under the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT) in the field of medical education.
With this decision:
- MBBS seats will increase from the current limit of 100 to up to 130 seats.
- BDS seats will rise from 50 to 60 seats.
According to a member present at the meeting, the number of seats will be allocated only after evaluating the infrastructure, faculty, and other criteria of the medical colleges.
- Birat Medical College, Chitwan Medical College, and College of Medical Sciences will be allowed a maximum of 130 seats.
- Manipal Teaching Hospital in Pokhara will receive 120 seats.
- Other colleges meeting the set standards will have their seat numbers determined accordingly.
Medical education reform advocate Dr. Govinda KC has long warned against increasing the number of seats and tuition fees in medical colleges. He has once again urged the government to remain cautious on this matter.
