Maharashtra adds 1,066 postgraduate medical seats, second only to Karnataka

Kolhapur: Maharashtra has made a big leap in medical education. Admission capacity in the state's postgraduate (broad-speciality) medical courses has gone up by 1,066 seats. With this, the total number of postgraduate medical seats in the state for the coming 2026-27 academic year stands at 7,615. Maharashtra is now second in the country on this count, after Karnataka.

The National Medical Commission (NMC) updated its seat figures on November 6. According to these, there is a 16.3 per cent increase over the previous academic year. In the state-wise figures, Karnataka is first with 8,862 seats, while Maharashtra is second with 7,615.

State Medical Education Minister Hasan Mushrif expressed satisfaction at the achievement. He said the state's medical education department had made well-planned efforts. Basic facilities in medical colleges were improved and several measures were taken to widen opportunities for postgraduate study. Mr Mushrif said the increase was possible because of these.

A total of 720 additional MD and MS seats have been added in the state's 23 government medical colleges. The biggest increase, 77 seats, was recorded at the Government Medical College, Dharashiv. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar gained 73 seats, Satara 64, Dhule 44 and Ambernath 40.

At the Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Government Medical College, Kolhapur, 39 new MD seats have been added. Minister Hasan Mushrif said this was a matter of great pride for Kolhapur's medical education. According to him, the increase will give more opportunities for postgraduate study in the college's various medical departments.

The department-wise additions are as follows: Anaesthesia 10, Preventive and Social Medicine (PSM) 4, Skin and VD 4, Physiology 4 and Radiology 4. Psychiatry gains 3 seats, General Surgery 5, Obstetrics and Gynaecology 3, Chest and TB 1 and Ophthalmology 1. In all, 39 new MD seats have been added. Under the supervision of the heads of the departments concerned, postgraduate students will get more experience in study, research and direct patient care.

The college dean, Dr Sadanand Bhise, said these 39 seats will speed up the training of specialist doctors in key branches such as anaesthesia, surgery, gynaecology, radiology and psychiatry. According to him, Kolhapur will be able to get more specialist doctors. The treatment capacity of government hospitals will increase, and ordinary patients will be helped to receive good, specialist care.

The heads of departments played an important role in the process of getting the 39 new seats approved. The work of Dr Ulhas Misal, Dr Babaso Mali, Dr Vasant Deshmukh, Dr Sudesh Gandham, Dr Anita Saibannavar, Dr Bhaskar Murthy, Dr Pawan Khot, Dr Asha Khade and Dr Abhijit Dhavale was highly commendable. Deputy Superintendent (CPR) Dr Girish Kamble said the process had the valuable guidance of Minister Hasan Mushrif, and this is how the important achievement was made possible.

Medical Superintendent Dr Rajendra Madane said the success came from the coordinated efforts of Dean Dr Sadanand Bhise, associate professors and assistant professors of the departments, administrative officers and staff. According to him, the increased seats will widen medical education opportunities in western Maharashtra, including Kolhapur, and will produce more specialist doctors in future.