Union Budget 2025: Govt to add 75,000 new UG medical seats, set up five skilling centres for ‘Make for India, Make for the World’

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman began her eighth consecutive budget presentation on February 1, 2025, emphasizing the government’s sustained efforts to accelerate growth, secure inclusive development, and boost household sentiment. The budget speech, presented in Parliament at 11 a.m., aims to uplift India’s economic prospects while remaining fiscally disciplined.

This year’s budget comes at a time when India’s economy is projected to grow between 6.3% and 6.8% in 2025-26, according to the Economic Survey for 2024-25. The survey, tabled in Parliament on January 31, reflects optimism regarding India’s post-pandemic recovery but emphasizes the need for sustained reforms to achieve long-term economic stability.

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As part of its efforts to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and boost skilled manpower, the government announced the addition of 75,000 new undergraduate medical seats over the next five years. This initiative is aimed at meeting the rising demand for medical professionals and bridging healthcare gaps across the country. Sitharaman highlighted that over the past 10 years, 1.1 lakh UG and PG medical seats have been added, reflecting a 130% increase.

Key Healthcare Announcements:

  • New UG Medical Seats: 75,000 seats to be added over the next five years to support India’s growing healthcare demands.
  • Cancer Day Care Centres: All district hospitals to be equipped with cancer day care centres, enhancing accessibility to cancer treatment in rural and semi-urban areas.

To support the government’s vision of Make for India, Make for the World, five national centres for skilling will be established, leveraging global expertise.