New Delhi, Sept. 24 -- In a move to address India's shortage of healthcare professionals, the Union cabinet on Wednesday approved a plan to add 10,023 new medical college seats by the financial year 2028-2029.

With a Rs.15,034.50 crore investment, the initiative will create 5,023 undergraduate (MBBS) and 5,000 postgraduate (PG) seats, the government said in a statement.

The centrally sponsored scheme focuses on a strategic and cost-effective approach: strengthening and upgrading existing state and central government medical colleges, standalone postgraduate institutes, and government hospitals.

According to the statement, the scheme will help increase the availability of doctors and specialists in the country, thereby improving access ...