Bhagalpur: In a major boost to medical education in Bihar, the Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and Hospital (JLNMCH), Bhagalpur, has received approval from the National Medical Commission (NMC) to increase its MBBS intake from 120 to 150 seats. The approval, communicated via an official email and Letter of Permission (LoP) from the NMC’s Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB), will take effect from the 2026-27 academic session beginning this month.
The approval comes after nearly five years of efforts to secure an increase in undergraduate medical seats.
According to the college administration, the enhanced intake has been approved based on the institution’s application, previous inspection reports and recommendations of the expert committee.
Infrastructure Upgrades Helped Secure Approval
College authorities credited Principal Dr. Sandeep Lal for spearheading the initiative by submitting a fresh proposal highlighting significant improvements in infrastructure and academic facilities.
The college showcased upgraded classrooms, a modern skill laboratory, an advanced library, Google Board-enabled teaching facilities in several departments, and enhanced research infrastructure for faculty members. Officials said these developments helped the institution meet the NMC’s prescribed standards.
Surprise Inspection Expected Within 90 Days
Although permission has been granted, the NMC has indicated that a physical verification of the college’s facilities may be conducted at any time within the next 90 days.
In preparation for the inspection, the college administration has cancelled the leave of doctors and staff associated with the process to ensure readiness for the surprise visit.
NMC Flags Faculty Shortage
While approving the increase in seats, the NMC also expressed concern over the shortage of teaching faculty.
According to the commission, an institution with 150 MBBS seats requires 114 faculty members. However, JLNMCH currently has only 84 registered faculty members, and only 76 were found present during the inspection.
The NMC has directed the college to address the staffing shortage at the earliest.
The inspection report also pointed out vacancies at the professor level in several key departments, including Anatomy, Anaesthesia, Biochemistry, Dentistry, Dermatology, Ophthalmology, ENT, Paediatrics, Pathology, Physiology and Radio-diagnosis. In some departments, deficiencies in faculty registration were also noted.
State Government Assures Support
Following the NMC’s observations, the college submitted a detailed report to the Bihar government.
According to the administration, the Principal Secretary has directed the concerned authorities to address the identified deficiencies. The government has also instructed the implementing agency to begin construction of a girls’ hostel to address accommodation shortages, while assuring that faculty vacancies will be filled within the next three months.
Admission Process for 2026-27
Admissions to the additional seats will be conducted through the Bihar Combined Entrance Competitive Examination Board (BCECEB) counselling process.
Eligible candidates will be required to register on the Undergraduate Medical Admission Counselling (UGMAC) portal using their NEET roll number, select JLNMCH Bhagalpur during choice filling, and complete document verification after seat allotment.
A Milestone in the College’s Growth
JLNMCH began its MBBS programme with just 50 seats. Over the years, as infrastructure and academic resources improved, the intake was increased to 120. The latest approval raising the capacity to 150 seats marks another significant milestone in the institution’s history.
Speaking on the development, Principal Dr. Sandeep Lal said, “Today is a historic day for the college. We have completed all preparations for the upcoming NMC physical inspection. As per the commission’s approval, admissions for the July 2026 MBBS session will now be conducted for all 150 seats.”
The increase is expected to strengthen medical education capacity in Bihar and create additional opportunities for aspiring medical students in the state.
