Punjab Nawanshahr medical college is a planned medical education and hospital project in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar. The state government has issued a letter of intent for the project. For more state exam updates, visit Punjab current affairs.
Quick answer: As of 12 November 2026, the Punjab government has issued a letter of intent for the Punjab Nawanshahr medical college. The Rs 160 crore project will offer 50 Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) seats, half under the Punjab government quota, and upgrade the district hospital.
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar (Nawanshahr) |
| Estimated cost | Rs 160 crore |
| Medical seats | 50 MBBS seats; half under the Punjab government quota |
| Hospital capacity | 150 beds to be upgraded to 220 beds |
| Cardiac unit | 30 beds with interventional cardiology facilities |
What is the Nawanshahr medical college project?
The Punjab Nawanshahr medical college is a proposed college and teaching hospital in the Doaba region. The Rs 160 crore project will be developed by Indus Super Speciality Healthcare Private Limited. It will follow a public-private partnership model.
The Punjab Infrastructure Development Board issued the award under the Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer model. Therefore, the project combines medical education with an upgrade of existing hospital facilities. It also includes academic and residential infrastructure.
The government expects the college to become operational within 18 months. However, the formal project timeline is three years. The minister said existing facilities could help the project finish earlier.
How many seats and hospital beds are planned?
The college will have 50 MBBS seats, with 25 seats under Punjab quota. The quota covers half of the total seats. According to the minister, this will give students from the state an opportunity to study closer to home.
Meanwhile, the existing 150-bed district hospital will become a 220-bed teaching hospital. The upgraded hospital is planned to comply with National Medical Commission norms. In addition, a 30-bed cardiac care unit will provide super-speciality services.
The cardiac facility will include a catheterisation laboratory for angiography and angioplasty. It is expected to serve Nawanshahr and nearby areas, including Balachaur and Banga. Thus, it aims to improve access to specialised cardiac care in the region.
What treatment costs and benefits were announced?
The minister said the outpatient department registration fee would remain Rs 10. He also stated that the partnership model would not mean higher charges for patients. Eligible beneficiaries would receive cashless treatment under Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana and Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.
In addition, essential medicines would be free through the government pharmacy. Diagnostic services, including computed tomography scans and magnetic resonance imaging, would be available at subsidised rates. These measures were announced alongside the proposed hospital upgrade.
- District headquarters: Nawanshahr is the headquarters of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district.
- Doaba: The region lies between the Beas and Sutlej rivers.
Source: The Indian Express Chandigarh, 12 November 2026
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the new Punjab medical college planned?
It is planned in Nawanshahr, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar. The project includes an upgrade of the existing district hospital.
How many Nawanshahr medical college seats are under the Punjab quota?
Twenty-five of the 50 planned MBBS seats are under the Punjab government quota. This represents half of the total seats.
When is the Nawanshahr medical college expected to open?
The government expects it to become operational within 18 months. However, the formal project timeline is three years.
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