In a significant move to expand medical education capacity in India, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has introduced key changes to the Undergraduate Medical Education Regulations, 2023 (UG-MSR 2023).The revised norms will aid the establishment of new medical institutions and enhance seat availability in the existing colleges.Here is all about the new rules:MBBS SEAT CAP GOESOne of the major changes includes the deletion of the earlier restriction that capped the number of MBBS seats at 150 per college from the academic year 2024–25. With this provision now removed, medical colleges can raise intake capacity, subject to other regulatory requirements.POPULATION BASED SEAT RATIO WITHDRAWNThe NMC has withdrawn the clause that mandated a ratio of 100 MBBS seats per 10 lakh population in a state or Union Territory. The removal of this condition is likely to simplify the process of seat expansion and reduce regulatory constraints on states seeking to increase medical education infrastructure.REVISED DISTANCE NORMSIn another important amendment, the earlier requirement that the distance between a medical college and its attached hospital should be within a travel time of 30 minutes has been replaced. The new norm specifies a maximum distance of 10 kilometers between the two facilities. For institutions located in North Eastern and Himalayan states, this limit has been relaxed to 15 kilometers, considering geographical challenges.BOOST TO MEDICAL EDUCATION INFRAThe amendments, issued under the provisions of the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, reflect the government’s intent to make medical education more accessible and responsive to growing healthcare demands. Experts believe that easing such norms will encourage both public and private sector participation in setting up new colleges and expanding existing ones.