Bihar Becomes a Hub of Medical Education: MBBS Seats Increased 13-Fold, Medical Colleges to Rise from 6 to 34
In 2005, Bihar had just 6 government medical colleges with a total of 390 MBBS seats
Bihar is witnessing an unprecedented transformation in healthcare education, rapidly emerging as a new hub for medical studies in India. Once plagued by a severe shortage of doctors and medical infrastructure, the state is now setting records in the expansion of medical colleges and MBBS seats.
Medical Education on a Fast Track
In 2005, Bihar had just 6 government medical colleges with a total of 390 MBBS seats. Fast forward to 2025, the state now boasts 12 government medical colleges, and another 22 are under construction. Once completed, the total number of medical colleges in Bihar will rise to 34. Correspondingly, MBBS seats have surged 13 times — from 390 to a staggering 5,220.
Boom in Private Medical Colleges
The growth is not limited to government institutions. Private medical education has also seen a sharp rise. In 2005, Bihar had only two private medical colleges with 120 MBBS seats. Today, there are 9 private colleges offering 1,350 seats, marking a four-fold increase.
Dual Benefit: More Doctors, More Opportunities
This expansion not only creates more opportunities for aspiring medical students from Bihar but also helps in addressing the long-standing shortage of doctors in state-run hospitals and rural health centers.
AYUSH Sector Also Witnesses Growth
Parallel to the growth in allopathic medicine, the Bihar government is actively promoting AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) systems of medicine.
- A 200-bed super-specialty homeopathy hospital is under construction in Muzaffarpur.
- A new homeopathy college and hospital is also coming up in South Bihar.
- Currently, 294 AYUSH Arogya Mandirs are operational across the state.
- The construction of 86 new Ayushman Arogya Mandirs has been announced.
- In a significant move, the government has recruited 2,901 AYUSH doctors to strengthen alternative medicine services.
Turning the Tide
Bihar’s healthcare system, once marred by inadequate staffing and underdeveloped infrastructure, is undergoing a revolutionary change. With a surge in medical colleges, MBBS seats, and integration of AYUSH facilities, the state is poised to become a powerhouse in healthcare education.
