Lede: The National Medical Commission has approved a significant increase in undergraduate medical seats for several government colleges in Odisha. This decision, effective from the upcoming academic session, aims to strengthen the state’s healthcare workforce and provide more opportunities for aspiring doctors. The move will add hundreds of more MBBS seats approved for Odisha, directly impacting the upcoming NEET UG counselling process.
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More MBBS Seats Approved for Odisha
| Key Fact | Detail/Statistic |
| New Seats Sanctioned | Approximately 200 additional seats across multiple colleges. |
| Total Seat Count | The total number of MBBS seats in Odisha now stands at over 2,000. |
| Admission Basis | Strictly through the national NEET-UG 2025 examination scores. National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Effective Session | The new seats will be available for the 2025-2026 academic year. |
NMC Greenlights Expansion in Medical Education
In a move set to enhance medical training in Eastern India, the National Medical Commission (NMC), the regulatory body for medical education in the country, has formally granted approval for an increase in Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) seats in Odisha. The approval follows a series of inspections and a formal proposal from the state government aimed at scaling up its healthcare infrastructure.
Officials confirmed that the additional seats will be distributed among several state-run Odisha medical colleges. According to a senior official from Odisha’s Health and Family Welfare Department, “This is a landmark step towards achieving a better doctor-patient ratio in our state. The increased intake capacity will allow us to train more healthcare professionals locally.” The decision underscores a national policy to establish more medical colleges and expand existing ones to meet the country’s growing healthcare demands.
Impact on Odisha’s Healthcare and Aspiring Students
The addition of these seats is expected to have a twofold impact: improving long-term healthcare delivery and expanding opportunities for medical aspirants. Odisha has been working to address a shortfall of doctors, particularly in rural and underserved areas. By increasing the number of graduates, the state aims to improve staffing in district hospitals and community health centres over the next decade.
For students, the increased seat matrix means a tangible enhancement in their chances of securing admission within the state. “Competition for medical seats is intense,” said Dr. Anisha Das, an education counsellor based in Bhubaneswar. “This expansion provides a significant boost for local students who perform well in the NEET exam but narrowly miss the cut-off for a government college seat.”
Eligibility and the Admission Process Explained
Admission to these newly approved seats will adhere strictly to the national guidelines governed by the NEET-UG examination. Aspiring candidates must meet the eligibility criteria set by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
Key Eligibility Criteria
- Academic Qualification: Candidates must have passed their 10+2 or equivalent examination with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English as core subjects.
- Minimum Marks: General category candidates typically require a minimum of 50% aggregate marks in the science subjects, while reserved category candidates have a lower percentage requirement as per national norms.
- NEET-UG Score: A qualifying percentile in the NEET-UG 2025 exam is mandatory for participating in the counselling process.
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The counselling for the All India Quota (AIQ) seats will be conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC). The state quota seats will be filled through a separate counselling process managed by the Odisha Joint Entrance Examination (OJEE) committee. Students are advised to regularly check the official websites of both the MCC and OJEE for detailed schedules and procedures.
he final seat matrix, detailing the precise distribution of the new seats among the various colleges and categories, is expected to be released by the OJEE authorities just before the commencement of the state counselling rounds. This formal notification will provide complete clarity for students and parents as they prepare for the admission process.
