Ahmedabad: Medical aspirants in Gujarat, who were facing the prospect of fewer opportunities due to a reduction of 250 seats this year, may now have a reason to hope. The National Medical Commission (NMC) has indicated that it is likely to approve new medical colleges and seats, paving the way for around 350 additional seats in the state.

According to sources in the admission committee, these new approvals could come after the first round of admissions and before the second round, likely by August 31. The proposals include 100 seats for the newly proposed ESIC Medical College in Ahmedabad’s Bapunagar area, and 150 seats at a new medical college planned at Atkot near Rajkot.

In addition, Parul Medical College has applied for an extra 50 seats on top of its existing 150, and GCS Medical College in Naroda has also sought 50 additional seats beyond its current capacity.

The backdrop to this development includes a nationwide controversy: following CBI investigations into alleged irregularities and corruption during inspections of several medical colleges, police complaints were filed against some college management members, doctors, and officials. As a result, the NMC had earlier imposed a freeze on approvals for new colleges and additional seats for the academic year 2025–26. This had also led to all seats being cancelled at Swaminarayan Medical College in Kalol, Gujarat.

On July 14, the NMC had publicly stated it would not approve any new colleges or increase existing seats across the country for the current academic year. However, according to recent updates, the NMC has revised its stance, clarifying that only those colleges specifically named in the CBI probe would remain under sanction, while others could get approvals. DeshGujarat