Ladakh's first Medical College to begin functioning with 50 students in 2027-2028 Academic session

Ladakh’s first Government Medical College in Leh is set to begin functioning with 50 students intake starting from the academic session 2027-2028 as per the information provided by the Director Health Services, Dr. Tashi Thinlas. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, has given its nod for the operationalization of Ladakh’s first Government Medical College in Leh, from the academic year 2027–28, following the intervention of Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena. MoHFW has given a one-time relaxation from the condition requiring nearly 80% completion of infrastructure before initiating recruitment of faculty and support staff for the Medical College. The approval paves the way for initiating recruitment against 103 sanctioned regular posts in a phased manner, in accordance with academic requirements. The sanctioned 103 posts include 19 Associate Professor post, 19 Assistant Professors and 19 Senior Residents Doctor posts. Nursing college will also start functioning in 2027 with 60 students intake, for which construction of the buildings are expected to be completed in year 2027 at the Medical College Campus site Spituk Pharka. As an interim arrangement, two newly constructed buildings have been identified to serve as the Academic Block and Students’ Hostel of the Medical College. The existing 200-bedded SNM Hospital, which will be upgraded to capacity of 350 beds, supported by around 60 experienced doctors, will serve as the teaching hospital. The interim facilities will be used temporarily, in accordance with the conditions stipulated by the Department of Expenditure, until the dedicated infrastructure is completed. It may be mentioned here that Ladakh Medical College was sanctioned in year 2019 and in 2024 the Central Government sanctioned 142 posts for SNM Hospital expansion and 103 post for Medical college.