DE Bureau (Dehradun): The Uttarakhand government is making rapid strides toward achieving its ambitious ‘One District, One Medical College’ initiative. In a significant move, the state Cabinet has granted approval for the Government Medical College in Rudrapur, including a 300-bed modern hospital and 100 MBBS seats. This decision will provide accessible, high-quality, and advanced healthcare services to millions in the Tarai-Bhabar region, as well as border and hilly districts. The Rudrapur Medical College will not only serve as a treatment hub but also play a pivotal role in medical education, public health programs, disaster management, and job creation. According to health department officials, the project targets operational commencement from the 2026-27 academic session.
Under Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s leadership, the government believes the Rudrapur Medical College will provide a strong foundation in health, medical education, and employment sectors. Located in Udham Singh Nagar district, the college will launch with a 300-bed hospital, ensuring expanded healthcare facilities in the area. Integrated diagnostics, treatment, and care systems under one roof will lead to consistent improvements in treatment quality. State government data indicates that Uttarakhand currently has 13 medical colleges with over 1,800 MBBS seats. The addition of 100 new seats at Rudrapur will boost the state’s medical education capacity by 5%.
The establishment of this college will bring particular benefits to residents of the Tarai-Bhabar region. Rudrapur is renowned as an industrial hub, home to hundreds of factories in the SIDCUL (State Industrial Development Corporation of Uttarakhand Limited). Workers and employees here will now have immediate access to treatment for accidents or serious illnesses. With 24/7 emergency services, life-saving interventions in road accidents and complex cases will become feasible. The permanent availability of specialist doctors will reduce dependency on major centers like Delhi or Haldwani, saving time and money while ensuring better outcomes.
For hilly areas, this will prove a boon. It will alleviate the mounting patient load on Sushila Tiwari Government Medical College in Haldwani. Programs for vaccination, maternal and child health, and infectious disease control will be strengthened. From a disaster management perspective, the college holds immense importance, as Uttarakhand is prone to earthquakes and landslides. According to the National Medical Commission’s (NMC) 2025 Seat Matrix Report, new medical colleges have added 11,732 MBBS seats nationwide, with Uttarakhand’s contribution being noteworthy.
The Rudrapur Medical College will usher in a new era for medical education. With 100 MBBS seats annually, students from Uttarakhand and other states will gain fresh opportunities. This institution will help position the state as a key center for medical education. Additionally, it will create thousands of jobs for doctors, paramedical staff, nurses, and administrative personnel, reducing migration issues and empowering local youth. The health department reports that new colleges have generated over 500 jobs in Uttarakhand in 2025 alone.
Health Secretary Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar stated, “We are swiftly advancing toward the ‘One District, One Medical College’ goal. The operation of the Government Medical College Rudrapur will give a new direction to Uttarakhand’s health system. With a 300-bed hospital and 100 MBBS seats, this institution will play a crucial role in expanding quality services.” He added that construction work will begin in the next six months, with processes to secure central funding accelerated.
This decision marks a milestone in Uttarakhand’s holistic development. Over the past 24 years, the state has established five new government medical colleges, bolstering healthcare access. The Rudrapur College will not only empower health services but also fuel economic growth. The government’s resolve is to have such a center in every district, ensuring no citizen is deprived of healthcare facilities. In the coming years, Uttarakhand will emerge as self-reliant in the health sector.