MUMBAI, JULY 8: In a major move to fortify its healthcare ecosystem and address the growing demand for trained medical professionals, the Maharashtra state government has officially sanctioned the establishment of 10 new government B.Sc. Nursing colleges. This milestone follows an approval granted during a state cabinet meeting held on June 21, 2026, marking a decisive step toward transforming the state’s healthcare training framework.
According to official data released by the Medical Education Department, the 10 new colleges will be set up across 10 districts: Chandrapur, Sindhudurg, Yavatmal, Alibaug (Raigad), Ratnagiri, Amravati, Dharashiv, Gadchiroli, Palghar, and Ahilyanagar. Each institution will have an annual intake capacity of 100 students, effectively adding 1,000 newly trained nursing graduates to the state’s workforce every year. This massive expansion is projected to significantly alleviate the strain on medical infrastructure, particularly across rural and remote regions of Maharashtra.
Infrastructure Expansion and Funding
The state government has sanctioned a total non-recurring capital expenditure of ₹334.80 crore for these 10 new institutions, allocating 33.48 crore per college. Under a centrally sponsored scheme, three of these facilities located in Yavatmal, Chandrapur, and Sindhudurg will receive financial assistance of 10 crore each from the central government.
In alignment with the strict guidelines of the Indian Nursing Council (INC), the proposed campuses will feature state-of-the-art infrastructure. This includes advanced teaching blocks, specialized pre-clinical and computer laboratories, modern libraries, and high-capacity student hostels.
Upgradation of Existing Facilities
Beyond creating new institutions, the government’s comprehensive directive also focuses on upgrading Maharashtra’s existing nursing education infrastructure. Eight state-run General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) diploma schools will be upgraded to full-fledged B.Sc. Nursing colleges, each with a capacity of 100 seats. These facilities are located at: Gokuldas Tejpal (G.T.) Hospital, Mumbai, St. George’s Hospital, Mumbai, Dhule, Solapur, Ambajogai, Akola, Nagpur] Sangli
The upgradation of these eight schools will be backed by a 100% centrally sponsored federal scheme, providing 7 crore per institution. Concurrently, the state will double the student intake capacity (from 50 to 100 seats) at five existing government B.Sc. Nursing colleges in Mumbai, Nagpur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Pune, and Nanded, at an estimated cost of 68.43 crore.
Workforce Creation and Project Timeline
To ensure seamless administrative and academic operations, a High-Level Secretary Committee has approved a massive recruitment drive. A total of 86 posts will be created for each new institution across Groups 1 to 4. These vacancies will look to onboard core academic and administrative staff, including Principals, Vice-Principals, Professors, Associate Professors, Tutors, Librarians, as well as essential contractual and support staff. Furthermore, an annual recurring budget of 12.58 crore has been approved to manage operational costs.
The entire expansion project is scheduled to be executed in a phased manner over the next four years. Upon completion, the initiative is expected to successfully bridge the vacancy gap for trained nurses in both public healthcare facilities and private hospitals, steering Maharashtra toward a world-class healthcare delivery model.
