As the National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued a letter of intent for 100 MBBS seats to Dr BR Ambedkar State Institute of Medical Sciences in phase 6, Mohali, admission will begin from this academic session. The college is affiliated with Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot.

Two weeks ago, the NMC inspected the college, following which the letter of intent was issued. Now the college has been asked to submit an engagement within two weeks, stating that it will comply with all of the NMC’s instructions and guidelines.

Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi said it was a milestone day in the history of Punjab, because with the operationalization of this institute, medical education in the state will receive a major boost and people will benefit from quality health facilities. He also expressed his gratitude to the NMC for granting the letter of intent.

Channi asked the officials concerned to complete the necessary formalities as soon as possible to start the academic session in the institute as soon as possible.

The institute set up under the aegis of an independent society – Dr BR Ambedkar State Institute of Medical Sciences Society – is the fourth government medical college in Punjab, and the first to emerge in 48 years. The other colleges are in Amritsar, Patiala and Faridkot.

At present, there are 1,400 MBBS places in private and public medical schools in Punjab, which will increase to 1,500 with 100 additional places in Mohali medical school.

In the Letter of Intent, it was stated that the NMC Medical Assessment and Scoring Committee reviewed the assessor’s report and the comments of the expert groups on the infrastructure and staff of the college, as a result 100 MBBS places were approved. However, there is an 8% shortage of professors, who need to be recruited, the letter said.

Dr Bhavneet Bharti, Senior Director of the Faculty of Medicine, said: “We have received the Letter of Intent and we are committed to the NMC. Our admissions process will begin this academic year, probably in October following the result of the National Eligibility and Entrance Test held on September 12.

Although the state government planned to start the academic session last year, the NMC had refused permission, citing some shortcomings.

The ??A 300 crore project was sanctioned during the Akali Dal regime in 2012 as part of the central state partnership and funding in a 60:40 ratio. The government of Punjab had finalized the site of the existing civil hospital in phase 6, Mohali, to set up the institute, which will eventually be upgraded to 220 seats.

The state government also announced funding for ??157 crore for the construction of the college in its 2020-21 financial budget.