In a major push to strengthen specialist medical training, Bihar has added 204 postgraduate (PG) medical seats — a combination of NEET PG and DNB — across 22 districts, according to a recent announcement by state health authorities. This decision significantly expands access to higher medical education in under-served regions. One of the key beneficiaries is Madhepura, which has been newly included in the list and allotted 12 PG seats. Previously, PG training facilities were approved in only 21 districts.
Why This Expansion Matters?
- Addressing regional imbalances: By distributing new seats across 22 districts, Bihar is working to reduce disparities in specialist education.
- Strengthening health infrastructure: More trained doctors mean better capacity for advanced care in district hospitals.
- Elevating medical education: The move supports Bihar’s long-term goal of expanding its medical training ecosystem.
Experts believe that this is not just a numbers game — by adding seats in remote or less-developed districts, the state is ensuring that quality specialist education is more accessible. It may also encourage more medical graduates to serve in their home districts, where specialist care is often in short supply.
Where These Seats Are Being Added?
While the full list of 22 districts has not been publicly broken down by every specialty, the inclusion of Madhepura is particularly noteworthy. This district had not previously offered PG medical training at this scale
The integration of these additional NEET PG and DNB seats suggests a two-fold strategy:
- Use of medical colleges to absorb more postgraduate students
- Leveraging district hospitals as training centres — possibly aligning with earlier plans to convert district hospitals into teaching institutions or attached medical education facilities.
How This Aligns With Larger Policy Plans?
This expansion dovetails with national efforts to scale up postgraduate medical education. The Union Cabinet recently approved the third phase of a medical college upgradation scheme, adding more than 10,000 medical education seats (both MBBS and PG) at a national level. Moreover, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has made regulatory changes to civilian hospitals, allowing non-teaching government hospitals with at least 220 beds to be converted into teaching centers. This could further support the growth of medical education infrastructure in Bihar and other states.
What This Means for NEET PG Aspirants in Bihar?
- More opportunities: With 204 additional PG seats, more MBBS graduates in Bihar now have a pathway to specialist education.
- Better distribution: These seat additions across districts may reduce migration of students to other states.
- Improved local healthcare: Doctors trained in specialist programmes may stay back and serve in the same districts, improving medical infrastructure locally.
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