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The controversy around the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), including allegations of paper leaks, has sparked debate over the state of medical education in India. But the present crisis is not merely about the integrity of one entrance examination. It is also a moment to reflect on deeper structural concerns within the country’s education system. 

Over the past decade, medical education in India has undergone unprecedented expansion, driven by a rapid increase in the number of colleges and seats. While this expansion was necessary, it has raised difficult questions around quality, affordability, equity, regulation, curriculum and the future of the MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) degree itself, bringing medical education in India to a crossroads.

The quest for numbers

The expansion of medical intake have been heavily driven by the pursuit of numbers, often justified by the World Health Organisation’s (WHO’s) benchmark of one doctor per 1,000 population, a reference point that no longer officially exists. In fact, the WHO now emphasises the combined density of doctors, nurses and midwives, while recognising that health workforce needs vary according to disease burden, demography and health system design. 

According to the latest data from the National Medical Commission (NMC), India has 822 medical colleges, of which 449 are in the public sector and 373 in the private sector. The total number of MBBS seats offered is nearly 1.3 lakh, with more than 68,000 postgraduate seats. India also has a parallel postgraduate training pathway through the Diplomate of National Board (DNB) programmes,........

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