In what is being described as a landmark moment for Meghalaya’s healthcare and education sector, the state has officially secured approval from the National Medical Commission (NMC) for the Shillong Medical College, paving the way for the first government-run medical college in the state to commence its academic session from 2025–26. Health Minister Dr. M. Ampareen Lyngdoh informed that Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma is currently in talks with the Prime Minister’s Office to ensure that Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself inaugurates the institution.
Talking to media persons in Shillong, the Health Minister said the development is being hailed as a “game changer” not only for aspiring doctors but also for the state’s struggling healthcare system, which has long grappled with an acute shortage of medical professionals. “The Chief Minister is currently engaging with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are hopeful that he himself will arrive to inaugurate the first Medical College of Meghalaya, the Government run Brown field Project,” Dr. Lyngdoh said, describing the approval as a historic milestone for both the state government and the Health Department.
The minister underlined that the sanction of the state’s first medical college was a matter of pride. “Today is a very very joyful day for the Department of Health as well as the Government to Meghalaya because we have received information in writing and we have received a copy of the letter of permission sanctioned and notified by the National Medical Commission (NMC), listing the Shillong Medical College as one of the colleges that have been approved by the NMC for functioning from this year’s session which is 2025–26.”
The Shillong Medical College has been granted an intake capacity of 50 students for the MBBS course, with classes scheduled to begin by the last week of September in line with the national NEET-UG calendar. “We are also pleased to inform the candidates who have a wish and are qualified to apply for these MBBS seats as per the sanction of the Government of Meghalaya alongside with the counselling for the Shillong Medical College. Total number of seats received for the Shillong Medical College stands at 50, however, we are also happy to inform you that Meghalaya continues to get its quota from the pool of government sanctions. As many as 94 number of seats have been allotted to the state of Meghalaya, into various institutions, inclusive of institutions, like NEIGRIHMS, RIMS Imphal. So in total, our students today, who have a wish to study and pursue a career in MBBS, have a better option. And this is important, a big game changer for the state of Meghalaya,” Dr. Lyngdoh said.
She added that the medical college would help ensure students remain in the state for medical education, thereby directly addressing the shortage of doctors in government facilities. The project follows a brownfield model, with the Civil Hospital and Pasteur Hills Hospital serving as teaching hospitals. “Which means that there was no need for us to raise a hospital from the ground just for the running, or the teaching of this medical college,” she explained.
The Health Department has already completed the first round of counselling for the P.A. Sangma International Medical College at USTM and will begin the second round on September 26, which will include the Shillong Medical College seats. Verification of documents of applicants is underway.
Commissioner and Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Joram Beda, said the course fees have been fixed at a highly subsidised rate. “The fees we have kept it at the very subsidised rate of Rs 30,000 inclusive of hostel per year for the Meghalaya students,” he said.
