Rajasthan will witness a major expansion in health infrastructure as Prime Minister inaugurated five new medical colleges at Chittorgarh, Dholpur, Sirohi, Sikar and Sri Ganganagar and laid the foundation stone for seven medical colleges at Baran, Bundi, Karauli, Jhunjhunu, Sawai Madhopur, Jaisalmer and Tonk.

The medical colleges are being established under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for “Establishment of new medical colleges attached with existing district/ referral hospitals”.

The five medical colleges inaugurated by the Prime Minister have been developed at a cumulative cost of more than Rs 1400 crore, while the seven medical colleges whose foundation stone has been laid will be built at a cumulative cost of Rs 2275 crore.

Until 2014, there were only 10 medical colleges in the State of Rajasthan. Gradually, the number of medical colleges in the State has grown to 35, which is a 250% increase. The establishment of these 12 new medical colleges would increase the number of MBBS seats in the State to 6275 seats from 1750 seats in 2013-14, which would be a 258% increase.

As medical education is being made accessible, the Prime Minister mentioned the step to provide medical education in the mother tongue, further democratising it and opening avenues for the deprived sections.