Kathmandu, Aug 14: Following negotiations, the Medical Education Commission (MEC)’s meeting has decided to increase the number of undergraduate medical seats by 1,359. However, the Commission failed to allocate additional seats for government-owned medical institutions.
According to commission members, the seat numbers in a total of 17 medical programs have increased by 1,359. Among these, seats for Bachelor of Ayurvedics and Medical Sciences (BAMS) have been reduced, while some programs have remained unchanged.
Private medical colleges had long been pressing the government for an increase in seat numbers through “negotiations.”
Earlier, the commission decided to address the demands of protesting resident doctors by requiring private medical colleges to provide a subsistence allowance equal to that of government institutions (eighth level) — Rs 48,000 per month.
Dr. Gyanendra Man Singh Karki, Chairman of the Nepal Medical and Dental College Association and Chairman of Birat Medical College, said this allowance has been provided in line with the commission’s decision. Private medical colleges had been demanding that the allowance be provided only after seat numbers and fees were increased. The commission’s meeting has now increased seat numbers in line with the demands of the private colleges.
Seats availability
The commission’s meeting decided to increase Bachelor on Medical Sciences (MBBS) seats from 2,140 last year by 495, bringing the total to 2,635 for the 2025/26 academic year. MBBS programs with 100 seats can now have up to 130 seats.
Similarly, Bachelor of Dental Science (BDS) seats were increased from 575 to 625 — an addition of 50 seats. Programs with 50 BDS seats can now have up to 60 seats.
BSc Nursing seats increased from 1,990 to 2,430 — up by 440. BNS seats were increased by 122, from 904 to 1,026. However, BAMS seats were reduced by 35, from 100 to 65.
Likewise, Bachelor of Public Health (BPH) seats increased by 62, bringing the total to 712. BPT seats remain unchanged at 150.
BAMS (Ayurveda) seats increased by 10, from 100 to 110. BASLP seats remain unchanged at 16.
BSc Radiotherapy will now have five seats introduced. BSc MLT seats increased from 94 to 108 — up by 14. BSc Clinical Psychology remains without any seats this year.
B Pharmacy seats increased from 695 to 835 — an addition of 140. B Perfusion Technology remains unchanged at 3 seats. B Optometry seats increased from 90 to 100, and BSc Midwifery seats increased from 20 to 30.
The Commission meeting had two main agenda:
1. Determining seat numbers for medical education programs at the undergraduate, DM, MCh, or equivalent levels for the 2082/83 academic year.
2. Accreditation and seat determination for certificate-level programs under the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT). #nepal #medicine #ctevt
