Chandigarh, May 18: In a landmark decision set to transform medical education in the region, the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) has received final clearance to establish its first undergraduate medical college at Sarangpur, Chandigarh. The 100-bed institution will offer MBBS courses — a first for the premier institute, which until now has only provided postgraduate degrees like MD and MS.
“This is a crucial step in PGIMER’s journey,” said Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, who chaired the Institute Body meeting on Friday. “We have asked PGIMER to submit a detailed project report (DPR) to the health ministry at the earliest.”
The proposed college is part of a comprehensive development plan for the Sarangpur campus. Alongside the MBBS facility, the Institute Body also cleared the establishment of an Advanced Cancer Institute, a Trauma Centre, and a new outpatient department (OPD). These approvals were among 29 agendas passed in the meeting, the first to be held after a two-year hiatus and the first with newly appointed members.
The Institute Body is PGIMER’s apex decision-making body, and the meeting marks a turning point for the 50-acre Sarangpur expansion project, initially proposed in 2017 to ease patient load on the main campus. The original plan focused on shifting trauma, cancer, and kidney transplant services to Sarangpur. After acquiring the land on lease from the UT administration in 2021, PGIMER revised the blueprint to include an undergraduate medical college.
Despite the land handover, progress had been limited until now, with only a boundary wall completed since 2022. Earlier this year, on February 26, PGIMER’s Governing Body — its second-highest authority — approved the development of the 50.76-acre site for undergraduate education and associated healthcare facilities.
Deputy Director (Administration) Pankaj Rai confirmed that the DPR is now in preparation and will include project cost estimates and implementation timelines.
The Sarangpur development will mark the second medical college in Chandigarh offering MBBS, joining the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Sector 32, which currently offers 150 seats.
The health minister also directed the institute to chart a long-term roadmap under a “Vision 2047” plan. “PGIMER must build its global profile in medical education and research. The next two decades should focus on strengthening academics, infrastructure and community engagement,” said Nadda.
In a move to address growing operational needs, the Institute Body approved 90 new posts for the Chandigarh campus — including 80 senior residents, four faculty members, and six demonstrators. A further 637 posts were cleared for PGIMER’s upcoming Ferozepur satellite centre, comprising 111 faculty and 526 non-faculty positions.
PGIMER’s governing bodies also reviewed progress on satellite centres in Una (Himachal Pradesh) and Ferozepur (Punjab). Construction on the 38-acre Una campus began in June 2023, while the 27.281-acre Ferozepur facility broke ground in December 2023. The ₹322 crore Una centre, designed to house 300 beds, is slated for completion by November 2025. Meanwhile, the ₹249 crore Ferozepur centre, with 100 beds, is expected to be operational by June 2026.
Post creation for Una is currently under review. “We have submitted proposals, and the Institute Body has sought some clarifications. We expect approvals once those are addressed,” said a senior PGIMER official.
Technical Cadre Approved After Two Decades
The Institute Body also approved a dedicated technical cadre for laboratory and other technicians, addressing a demand pending since 2003. Around 700 technical staff members are expected to benefit from the new six-tier structure, which aims to improve efficiency and service delivery across PGIMER facilities.
“This long-awaited move will significantly enhance technical operations at the institute,” said Deputy Director Pankaj Rai.
Commendation for National Service
During the meeting, Minister Nadda lauded PGIMER for its rapid medical response during Operation Sindoor. The institute dispatched five ambulances and 218 units of blood, and sent a multidisciplinary team to Jammu and Kashmir.
“PGIMER’s dedication to national service is commendable,” said Nadda. “This reflects the institute’s strength, spirit of unity, and sense of responsibility.”
