New Delhi, December 2, 2025: India currently has a doctor-population ratio of 1:811, according to information provided by Union Health Minister J P Nadda in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. This figure includes both allopathic and AYUSH practitioners and reflects ongoing efforts by the government to increase healthcare access across the country, particularly in underserved regions.

Current Numbers of Healthcare Practitioners

In his written reply to the Parliament, Nadda stated that there are 13,88,185 registered allopathic doctors and 7,51,768 registered practitioners in the AYUSH system of medicine. Assuming that 80% of these registered practitioners are actively available, the overall doctor-population ratio in India is estimated at 1:811.

The minister also highlighted the significant expansion of medical education infrastructure in the country since 2014:

• Number of medical colleges increased from 387 to 818
• Undergraduate (UG) seats rose from 51,348 to 1,28,875
• Postgraduate (PG) seats expanded from 31,185 to 82,059

Strengthening Rural and Underserved Healthcare

To improve doctor availability in rural, remote, and tribal areas, the government has implemented several targeted measures:

1. New Medical Colleges: Under the centrally-sponsored scheme for establishing medical colleges attached to existing district/referral hospitals, 137 of the 157 approved colleges are now functional, bringing specialized medical education closer to underserved regions.
2. Family Adoption Programme (FAP): Incorporated into the MBBS curriculum, this programme allows medical colleges to adopt villages, with MBBS students assigned to adopt families within these villages. The initiative facilitates:
   • Regular health follow-ups for vaccination, growth monitoring, menstrual hygiene, and nutrition
   • Promotion of healthy lifestyle practices and medication adherence
   • Education of families about ongoing government health programmes
3. District Residency Programme: Conducted by the National Medical Commission (NMC), second- and third-year postgraduate students are posted in district hospitals, enhancing specialist coverage at the local level.
4. Incentives for Rural Posting: Specialist doctors serving in hard-to-reach areas are provided hard-area allowancesand residential quarters. States, under the National Health Mission, can offer negotiable salaries and implement strategies like “You Quote We Pay” to attract specialists.
5. Temporary Registration for Foreign Doctors: The NMC regulations on registration and licensure allow foreign-qualified and foreign-registered doctors to practice temporarily in India for purposes such as training, research, fellowships, observerships, voluntary service, or participation in approved postgraduate and super-specialty courses.

Outlook

The government’s focus on expanding medical education, posting doctors in rural areas, and offering targeted incentives reflects a concerted effort to address healthcare disparities in India. While the doctor-population ratio of 1:811 indicates progress compared to earlier years, ongoing initiatives aim to improve both accessibility and quality of healthcare services, especially for underserved populations in remote and tribal regions.