Bhubaneswar, Oct 31: The Central government has approved 62 additional postgraduate (PG) medical seats across six government medical colleges and hospitals in Odisha for the 2025–26 academic year.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan informed the decision, stating that the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has granted the approval to strengthen medical education and healthcare infrastructure in the state.

As per the announcement, Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR) in Burla, Sambalpur, will get 15 new PG seats, while SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack will receive three. PGIMER and Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar have been allotted six additional seats. Pandit Raghunath Murmu (PRM) Medical College and Hospital in Baripada will get 20 seats, Fakir Mohan (FM) Medical College and Hospital in Balasore will receive eight, and Bhima Bhoi Medical College and Hospital in Balangir will have 10 new seats.

Welcoming the Centre’s decision, Pradhan expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, and State Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling for their support.

He said that the addition of these PG seats will play a vital role in strengthening Odisha’s healthcare system.