CHANDIGARH (Thursday, March 5, 2026) — Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh has announced a major expansion of the state’s medical education infrastructure with the establishment of seven new medical colleges. The initiative aims to increase the number of MBBS seats and improve tertiary healthcare accessibility across Punjab’s border and rural districts.
The New Medical College Roadmap
The seven institutions will be developed under three distinct administrative models to ensure a balanced mix of state-led and private-sector participation.
| Model | Number of Colleges | Specific Projects/Locations |
| Government Sector | 2 | Hoshiarpur and Kapurthala |
| Public-Private Partnership (PPP) | 2 | Locations in the Malwa and Majha regions (Finalization in progress) |
| Private & Minority Organizations | 3 | Approved projects by established educational trusts |
Spotlight: Shaheed Udham Singh Institute (Hoshiarpur)
The Minister provided a specific timeline for the Shaheed Udham Singh State Institute of Medical Sciences in Hoshiarpur, which is a flagship project for the Doaba region.
- Construction Kick-off: March 20, 2026.
- Estimated Project Cost: Approximately ₹412 crore (shared between Centre and State).
- Completion Deadline: March 2028.
- Capacity: The college is designed to accommodate 100 MBBS seats initially, with an attached 500-bed multi-specialty hospital.
Strategic Goals of the Expansion
Dr. Balbir Singh emphasized that this expansion is part of the “Sarkar Aapke Dwar” (Government at your doorstep) initiative:
- Retention of Talent: By increasing local MBBS and PG seats, the state hopes to discourage medical aspirants from traveling abroad (specifically to Eastern Europe or Central Asia) for affordable education.
- Specialist Availability: The new colleges will help bridge the chronic shortage of specialist doctors (Gynaecologists, Paeditricians, and Surgeons) in district hospitals.
- Modernizing Kapurthala: Similar to the Hoshiarpur project, the Government Medical College at Kapurthala (named after Guru Nanak Dev Ji) is also fast-tracked to serve the border belt.
Sources
- Press Trust of India (PTI): “7 new medical colleges to come up in Punjab: Health Minister Balbir Singh” (March 5, 2026)
- The Tribune: “Punjab health infrastructure: 7 new medical colleges to be functional by 2028” (March 5, 2026)
- Hindustan Times: “Dr. Balbir Singh announces roadmap for new medical institutes in Hoshiarpur and Kapurthala” (March 6, 2026)
- Government of Punjab: Official Press Release – Department of Medical Education and Research (March 5, 2026)
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