The Centre has approved 320 postgraduate medical seats in Himachal Pradesh across six government medical colleges, with financial assistance of approximately ₹415 crore. Union Health Minister J P Nadda announced the decision on October 24, 2026, describing it as an important step towards expanding specialist medical education and strengthening healthcare services in the state.
Nadda urged the Himachal Pradesh government to complete the necessary formalities promptly so that medical graduates and patients can benefit from the initiative without unnecessary delays.
According to the Union Health Ministry, the state government submitted its proposal on June 23, 2026. The matter was subsequently discussed with the Himachal Pradesh chief minister on October 6 during the convocation ceremony at AIIMS Bilaspur.
College-Wise Distribution of 320 PG Medical Seats
The approved seats will be distributed across six government medical colleges in the state.
- Shimla: 91 seats
- Tanda: 57 seats
- Hamirpur: 57 seats
- Mandi: 55 seats
- Nahan: 32 seats
- Chamba: 28 seats
Shimla has received the largest allocation, followed by Tanda and Hamirpur. The additional seats are expected to expand opportunities for postgraduate medical training and support the availability of specialists in areas including surgery, orthopaedics, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics and oncology.
The initiative is intended to strengthen the state's medical workforce while improving access to specialised healthcare services.
Centre's ₹15,000-Crore Medical Education Initiative
The approval forms part of a broader central initiative worth ₹15,000 crore to add 10,000 undergraduate and postgraduate medical seats across India over five years.
The programme aims to expand medical education capacity and increase the availability of trained healthcare professionals. The 320 postgraduate seats approved for Himachal Pradesh will contribute to this wider expansion.
Nadda said the Centre had acted swiftly on the state's proposal and called on the state government to ensure the approved seats become operational on time.
Nadda Seeks Faster Progress on Other Projects
The Union minister also called for faster implementation of other centrally supported development projects in Himachal Pradesh.
He highlighted the Chandigarh-Baddi and Bhanupalli-Bilaspur railway projects, urging the state government to resolve pending issues concerning its financial contribution and land availability.
Nadda also sought faster progress on critical care blocks and public health laboratories being developed with central assistance.
The immediate priority, he said, is to complete the required procedures for the new medical seats and accelerate projects intended to benefit residents across the state.
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