YS Jagan’s Vision: One College in Every District
YSRCP under Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy launched a historic plan to establish 17 government medical colleges, ensuring one in every district. Despite COVID-19 setbacks, 7 colleges were completed and 5 began admissions (Vizianagaram, Rajahmundry, Eluru, Machilipatnam, Nandyal), adding 750 MBBS seats in 2023–24. Paderu and Pulivendula were also cleared by NMC for 50 seats each.
Health System Strengthened During COVID
During the pandemic, when private hospitals shut doors or refused surgeries, government teaching hospitals, CHCs, PHCs, and Village Clinics became the backbone of healthcare. Even the wealthy depended on them. This experience strengthened Jagan’s resolve to build colleges as hubs linked with district and area hospitals, creating a unified district health secretariat model.
Timeline of Foundations
On May 31, 2021, Jagan virtually laid the foundations for 14 colleges simultaneously. Earlier, Paderu and Pulivendula works began in 2020; Narsipatnam and Parvathipuram got clearance in December 2022. Despite COVID delays, work advanced at a record pace.
Chandrababu’s Record: Zero Colleges, Zero Seats
Between 2014–19, despite 3 rounds of Centrally Sponsored Schemes, Chandrababu Naidu brought no new govt medical colleges. Ironically, after returning to power in 2024, his govt cut Paderu’s 150 seats to 50 and rejected Pulivendula’s 50 seats by writing directly to NMC. Soon after, APMSIDC ordered the stoppage of works in 10 colleges.
Privatization Decision
On Sept 4, 2025, Naidu’s Cabinet approved privatization of 10 colleges.
● Phase 1: Adoni, Markapur, Madanapalle, Pulivendula.
● Phase 2: Parvathipuram, Narsipatnam, Penukonda, Amalapuram, Palakollu, Bapatla.
RFCs, tenders, and pre-bid consultations followed, confirming the shift to PPP.
NMC Guidelines Were Simplified, Not Stricter
Naidu’s claim of “rules blocking progress” is false. NMC’s Aug 2023 reforms eased norms:
● No 20-acre rule for land.
● 220 beds = 50 seats, 420 = 100, 605 = 150.
● Faculty reduced: 100 seats = 85 faculty, 50 seats = 59.
● Seniority relaxed, labs can be shared.
Rules made expansion easier, not harder.
Funding Was Already Secured
Jagan’s govt tied up Rs. 8,480 crore (NABARD, GoI Special Assistance, CSS). By 2024, Rs. 3,000 crore worth of works were completed. There was no funding shortage—only political sabotage.
PPP Rejected Across India
Across India, no govt medical college has been privatized. Attempts in Goa, Uttarakhand, and Karnataka (Vijayapura) triggered mass protests and were rolled back. States like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Telangana, Punjab, Himachal, Haryana, and Jharkhand never adopted PPP in government colleges. Even in Gujarat, PPP applied only to hospitals, not existing colleges. Naidu’s move is unprecedented.
Why PPP hurts students & people
● NRI fees hiked from Rs. 20 lakh (YSRCP) to Rs. 37.5 lakh (TDP).
● Patients face steep charges in teaching hospitals.
● Public land and infrastructure built with taxpayer money diverted to private hands.
● Accountability and social responsibility vanish.
Phased growth is Normal
Colleges don’t need to be 100% ready on day one. AIIMS Mangalagiri began in rented buildings and expanded later. Similarly, new AP colleges were planned to grow with each batch.
Real benefit to students
By 2019, AP had only 12 govt medical colleges with 2,360 seats. Jagan’s 17 colleges added 2,550 seats, taking the total past 4,900. By 2024–25, 800 new seats were already functional. Quota split ensured access: 50% General, 35% Self-finance, 15% NRI.
