Telangana added eight new government medical colleges last year, raising the total to 34 and MBBS seats to 4,090. However, infrastructure and staffing have lagged behind this rapid expansion
Published Jun 17, 2025 | 12:01 AM ⚊ Updated Jun 17, 2025 | 12:01 AM
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy.
Synopsis: In response to the NMC’s notice highlighting severe deficiencies in 26 government medical colleges, Telangana CM A Revanth Reddy has ordered urgent corrective measures. He has directed officials to formulate a three-year action plan to upgrade infrastructure across all 34 colleges. A committee will visit each college to assess gaps, estimate costs, and recommend immediate government interventions
In the wake of a stern notice from the National Medical Commission (NMC) to 26 government medical colleges in Telangana highlighting significant shortfalls in infrastructure, human resources, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has swung into action.
He has directed officials to immediately prepare a comprehensive action plan to ensure that all 34 government medical colleges in the state are equipped with full-fledged infrastructure within three years.
At a high-level review meeting held on Monday, 16 June at the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC), the chief minister instructed the formation of an official committee to visit each medical college, assess gaps, estimate required funds, identify urgent needs, and submit a detailed report outlining the necessary government interventions.
The NMC’s notices were part of its routine nationwide inspection, but the findings in Telangana have raised serious concerns. Many of the newly sanctioned colleges, including those launched in 2024, were found to be operating with minimal facilities. When South First contacted several of these institutions, it was evident that many fell short of NMC norms.
Last year, Telangana received approval for eight new government medical colleges from the NMC, taking the total to 34. This brought the number of MBBS seats in government institutions up to 4,090. However, the state’s rapid expansion of medical education infrastructure has not been matched by adequate staffing or facility readiness.
A glaring example of mismanagement came to light on 29 April, when the Maheshwaram Government Medical College in Ranga Reddy district was locked and sealed by the management of the Bharat Institute of Engineering and Technology, which had leased out its premises. The private institute alleged non-payment of rent by the government, leaving students stranded outside without access to classes or clinical training.
Even in functioning colleges, faculty numbers are alarmingly low. The Government Medical Colleges in various parts have fewer faculty members. While advertisements have been issued to hire on contract, most positions remain vacant. There has been no new government notification for regular faculty recruitment since June 2023 — a long-standing demand of all major medical associations, including the Telangana Government Doctors Association (TGGDA), Telangana Teaching Government Doctors Association (TTGDA), and Junior Doctors Association (JUDA).
During the review meeting, CM Revanth Reddy asked officials to also focus on resolving faculty shortages, fast-track equipment procurement, increase bed strength in attached hospitals, and ensure swift release of funds. He assured that the state would release required funds without delay and, in case of hurdles related to central approvals or finances, he would personally take up the matter with Union Health Minister JP Nadda.
He instructed officials to explore the use of a mobile app to monitor hospital visitors, doctors conducting examinations, and hospital operating hours. Emphasizing the importance of the education and health sectors, the CM directed the Chief Secretary to conduct a review meeting on both departments every third week of the month.
రాష్ట్రంలోని 34 వైద్య కళాశాల‌లు పూర్తి స్థాయి వ‌స‌తుల‌తో ప‌ని చేయాల‌ని, ఇందుకు అవ‌స‌ర‌మైన కార్యాచ‌ర‌ణ ప్ర‌ణాళిక‌ను వెంట‌నే త‌యారు చేయాల‌ని ముఖ్య‌మంత్రి శ్రీ @revanth_anumula గారు అధికారుల‌ను ఆదేశించారు. ఇందుకోసం అధికారుల‌తో ఒక క‌మిటీని ఏర్పాటు చేయాల‌ని చెప్పారు. ఆ క‌మిటీ… pic.twitter.com/KtQOj7Xz3j
— Telangana CMO (@TelanganaCMO) June 16, 2025
The review was attended by Health Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha, Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari, Principal Secretary (Health) Christina Z Chongthu, and other senior officials.
Damodar Raja Narasimha hit back at critics on social media, accusing the previous administration of endangering medical education in the state through poor planning and political gimmickry.
“Setting up a medical college isn’t just about issuing GOs on paper. A college needs a proper building, a hospital aligned with the number of MBBS seats, qualified faculty, infrastructure, and student hostels. Only then can we say a college truly exists,” he said in a sharply worded post on X (formerly Twitter).
మెడికల్ కాలేజీ ఏర్పాటు చేయడమంటే పేపర్ల మీద జీవోలు ఇచ్చుడు కాదు. కాలేజీకి బిల్డింగుండాలె,
ఎంబీబీఎస్ సీట్లకు అనుగుణంగా హాస్పిటల్ ఉండాలె,
ఫాకల్టీ ఉండాలె, హాస్పిటల్‌లో,
కాలేజీలో ఇన్‌ఫ్రాస్ట్రక్చర్ ఉండాలె,
విద్యార్థులకు హాస్టల్స్ ఉండాలె..
ఇలా అన్ని విధాలుగా సౌకర్యాలు కల్పిస్తేనే…— Damodar Raja Narasimha (@DamodarCilarapu) June 16, 2025
He alleged that the former government showcased medical colleges only on paper for political mileage. “You degraded medical education by projecting phantom institutions, without proper planning, faculty, or infrastructure. Wasn’t it your mismanagement that put the future of medical students at risk?”
Reacting to recent notices served to 26 government medical colleges by the National Medical Commission (NMC), Narasimha accused opposition leaders of fearmongering.
“Now, as soon as the NMC notices land, you’re shedding crocodile tears and spreading panic among parents and students through tweets. Are you pretending notices never came during your tenure? Once again, you’ve exposed your Goebbelsian mindset.”
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
