The Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS) has approved an ambitious five-year expansion plan for 2027–2032 that will add 865 new undergraduate colleges across Maharashtra. This includes 51 new MBBS colleges, 60 dentistry colleges, and significant growth in allied health programmes. For NEET-UG aspirants in Maharashtra, this plan signals a substantial increase in available medical and dental seats over the next five years, with a deliberate focus on establishing institutions in smaller towns and rural areas rather than major cities.
MUHS plans to add 51 new MBBS colleges and 60 dentistry colleges by 2032, potentially increasing total MBBS seats in Maharashtra and improving access to medical education in underserved regions.
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Unlock My College ListWhat is the MUHS 5-Year Expansion Plan?
The Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, based in Nashik, has finalised a comprehensive five-year perspective plan covering 2027 to 2032. This plan was approved by the university's senate (its highest governing body) in late October 2026 and outlines the establishment of 865 new undergraduate colleges across Maharashtra.
The expansion is not limited to medical and dental education. It encompasses a broad range of healthcare and allied health programmes, including nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, audiology, speech-language pathology, prosthetics and orthotics, naturopathy, yogic sciences, and traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda, Unani, and Homoeopathy. The plan reflects a national policy shift toward training more allied healthcare professionals to address workforce shortages in India's healthcare system.
How Many New MBBS and BDS Colleges Will Be Added?
Under the plan, MUHS will add 51 new MBBS colleges, increasing the total from the current 69 to 120 medical colleges affiliated with the university. Of these 51 new colleges, 40 are planned for non-municipal corporation areas—essentially smaller towns and rural regions—while only a few will be established in major cities like Mumbai.
For dentistry (BDS), the plan proposes 60 new colleges, raising the total from 29 to 89 dentistry colleges. This represents a significant expansion in dental education capacity. The geographic distribution prioritises areas with limited access to dental education, aligning with the university's goal to improve healthcare professional availability across Maharashtra.
Geographic Distribution: Where Will New Medical Colleges Be Located?
MUHS has divided Maharashtra into 61 zones across its 36 districts to determine where new colleges can be established. The plan uses a population-based formula to decide the number of institutions in each zone. For most healthcare courses, the ratio is one college per 15 lakh people; for dentistry, it is one per 20 lakh people; and for Unani colleges, one per 30 lakh people.
Specific non-municipal corporation areas identified for new MBBS colleges include Jalgaon, Nashik, and Kolhapur (each receiving 3 new slots), as well as Palghar, Solapur, Yavatmal, Ahilyanagar, Buldhana, and Beed (each receiving 2 new slots). Mumbai, as a municipal corporation area, has been allocated only 2 new MBBS college slots. This distribution reflects the university's commitment to reducing the concentration of medical colleges in urban centres and improving access in underserved regions.
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- Jalgaon (non-municipal): 3 new MBBS colleges
- Nashik (non-municipal): 3 new MBBS colleges
- Kolhapur (non-municipal): 3 new MBBS colleges
- Mumbai (municipal): 2 new MBBS colleges
- Palghar, Solapur, Yavatmal, Ahilyanagar, Buldhana, Beed (non-municipal): 2 each
What About Allied Health Sciences and Traditional Medicine?
While MBBS and BDS expansion is significant, the plan's most dramatic growth is in allied health sciences and traditional medicine systems. MUHS proposes 158 new colleges for audiology and speech-language pathology (ASLP), 159 for prosthetics and orthotics, 114 for occupational therapy, and 113 for naturopathy and yogic sciences. These programmes address critical gaps in India's healthcare workforce.
For traditional medicine, the plan includes 69 new Unani colleges (compared to 8 existing ones), 60 new Homoeopathy colleges (taking the total from 64 to 124), and 25 new Ayurveda colleges (increasing from 149 to 174). The expansion in Unani is particularly notable, as it represents a nine-fold increase. These additions align with the central government's 2026 Budget initiative to train an additional one lakh (100,000) allied healthcare professionals over five years with a Rs 1,000 crore allocation.
- Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology: 158 new colleges
- Prosthetics and Orthotics: 159 new colleges
- Occupational Therapy: 114 new colleges
- Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences: 113 new colleges
- Unani: 69 new colleges
- Homoeopathy: 60 new colleges
- Ayurveda: 25 new colleges
Why Are Nursing and Physiotherapy Expansion Limited?
The plan proposes only 35 new nursing colleges (against 401 existing ones) and 21 new physiotherapy colleges (against 120 existing ones). This measured approach reflects the fact that Maharashtra already has substantial capacity in these fields. An earlier proposal had suggested a two-year moratorium on new nursing and physiotherapy colleges, but the university revised this to allow selective expansion in districts that currently lack such institutions.
According to MUHS officials, new nursing and physiotherapy colleges will be approved only in districts that do not already have them, based on population, regional balance, and equity considerations. This targeted strategy ensures that growth addresses genuine gaps rather than creating oversupply in already well-served areas.
How Will the Application and Approval Process Work?
MUHS has introduced a new approval mechanism called the 'one point one recommendation' policy. Under this system, the university will recommend only the single most suitable applicant for each available college slot to the state government, rather than forwarding all eligible applications. This approach aims to make the process more selective and transparent.
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Healthcare organisations can apply online only for slots available under the perspective plan. The application system will screen applicants for infrastructure and faculty standards before allowing them to proceed. MUHS will charge the full application fee only to institutions that reach the final recommendation list. However, the state government retains the authority to approve colleges not recommended by MUHS or to permit institutions for slots outside the plan. Minority-run organisations are also exempt from slot availability restrictions.
What Does This Mean for NEET-UG Aspirants in Maharashtra?
For NEET-UG aspirants, this expansion plan has several practical implications. First, the addition of 51 new MBBS colleges will increase the total number of MBBS seats available in Maharashtra over the next five years. While not all 51 colleges will open simultaneously, the gradual rollout from 2027 onwards will expand opportunities for candidates seeking admission through NEET-UG counselling.
Second, the geographic distribution of new colleges means that aspirants from smaller towns and rural areas will have better access to medical education without necessarily relocating to major cities. This can reduce the competitive pressure in urban centres and create pathways for merit-based admission in emerging medical education hubs across Maharashtra.
Third, the plan's focus on allied health sciences suggests that NEET-UG aspirants who do not secure MBBS or BDS seats may find more opportunities in programmes like ASLP, occupational therapy, and prosthetics and orthotics. These fields are increasingly recognised as essential to India's healthcare system and offer viable career alternatives.
How Does This Compare to the Previous Expansion Plan?
The 2022–2027 perspective plan used different population ratios for various courses. For example, it prescribed one MBBS college per 10 lakh people, one Homoeopathy college per 10 lakh people, and one Ayurveda college per 7.5 lakh people. The new 2027–2032 plan standardises most ratios to one college per 15 lakh people, with exceptions for dentistry (20 lakh) and Unani (30 lakh).
This shift reflects a more uniform approach to healthcare education distribution while accounting for population growth and regional needs. The revised ratios are less aggressive for some courses (like Ayurveda) but more inclusive overall, allowing for broader expansion in allied health fields where capacity was previously limited.
When Will New Colleges Start Admitting Students?
The plan covers the period 2027–2032, with applications for new colleges invited for the 2027–28 academic year. However, the actual opening of colleges depends on regulatory approvals, infrastructure completion, and faculty recruitment. Not all 865 colleges will be operational by 2028; the expansion will be gradual across the five-year period.
MUHS will review the plan annually to account for population changes, the opening and closure of existing colleges, and evolving healthcare workforce needs. This flexibility ensures that the plan remains responsive to real-world conditions and can be adjusted if circumstances change.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
How many new MBBS colleges will MUHS add by 2032?
MUHS plans to add 51 new MBBS colleges under its 2027–2032 perspective plan, increasing the total from 69 to 120 colleges. Of these 51, approximately 40 will be located in non-municipal corporation areas (smaller towns and rural regions), while the remainder will be in major cities like Mumbai.
Will new MBBS colleges increase the number of NEET-UG seats in Maharashtra?
Yes. Each new MBBS college typically offers 100 seats per year (though this can vary). With 51 new colleges planned, there will be a significant increase in available MBBS seats in Maharashtra over the next five years. However, not all colleges will open simultaneously; the expansion will be gradual from 2027 onwards.
Which areas of Maharashtra will get new medical colleges?
Priority areas for new MBBS colleges include Jalgaon, Nashik, and Kolhapur (3 colleges each), as well as Palghar, Solapur, Yavatmal, Ahilyanagar, Buldhana, and Beed (2 colleges each). Mumbai, as a major city, has been allocated only 2 new slots. The distribution is based on population, regional balance, and existing institution availability.
How many new dentistry (BDS) colleges are planned?
MUHS plans to add 60 new dentistry colleges, increasing the total from 29 to 89. This represents a substantial expansion in dental education capacity across Maharashtra.
What is the 'one point one recommendation' policy?
Under this new policy, MUHS will recommend only the single most suitable applicant for each available college slot to the state government, rather than forwarding all eligible applications. This aims to make the approval process more selective and transparent. However, the state government retains the authority to approve colleges not recommended by MUHS.
When can organisations apply to establish new colleges under this plan?
Applications are being invited for the 2027–28 academic year. Healthcare organisations can apply online only for slots available under the perspective plan. The application system will screen for infrastructure and faculty standards before allowing completion.
Will the plan be reviewed or updated?
Yes. Although the plan covers five years (2027–2032), MUHS will review it annually to account for population growth, changes in the number of existing institutions, and evolving healthcare workforce needs. This ensures the plan remains responsive to real-world conditions.
Are there opportunities in allied health sciences under this plan?
Yes. The plan proposes significant expansion in allied health programmes, including 158 new colleges for audiology and speech-language pathology, 159 for prosthetics and orthotics, 114 for occupational therapy, and 113 for naturopathy and yogic sciences. These fields offer viable career alternatives for NEET-UG aspirants who do not secure MBBS or BDS seats.
MUHS's five-year expansion plan represents a major shift in medical and healthcare education capacity in Maharashtra, with direct implications for NEET-UG aspirants. Aspirants should monitor the official MUHS website for updates on college openings, seat availability, and counselling procedures as the plan rolls out from 2027 onwards. For those considering alternatives to MBBS or BDS, the significant growth in allied health sciences offers emerging opportunities worth exploring.
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