The Maharashtra government will establish 10 new nursing colleges. This initiative aims to increase the number of skilled nurses across the state. The expansion addresses the growing demand in healthcare facilities.
New BSc Nursing Colleges
Ten new Government BSc Nursing Colleges will be built. Each college will accommodate 100 students annually. The new institutions will be located in Chandrapur, Sindhudurg, Yavatmal, Alibag (Raigad), Ratnagiri, Amravati, Dharashiv, Gadchiroli, Palghar, and Ahilyanagar. The state government has approved a total expenditure of Rs 334.80 crore for this project.
Three of these new colleges will receive central government assistance. These are the institutions planned for Chandrapur, Sindhudurg, and Yavatmal. Funding for these three colleges will be part of a national nursing education scheme.
Existing Colleges Upgraded
Eight existing General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) colleges will be upgraded. These institutions will become full-fledged nursing colleges. The upgrade will double their annual student intake to 100 students each.
The state government has allocated Rs 558.72 crore for this upgrade program. The eight colleges will also receive central assistance. This funding totals Rs 7 crore under a scheme for upgrading nursing schools to colleges. An estimated annual expenditure of Rs 12.58 crore is projected for creating new teaching and non-teaching positions.
Demand for Nurses
Maharashtra expects to have 2,17,640 registered nurses by 2025. Current numbers do not meet the demand. This shortage impacts government medical colleges, hospitals, and private healthcare sectors.
The new and upgraded institutions are expected to help bridge this gap. They will increase the number of trained nursing professionals available to the state's healthcare system. The government expects these measures to improve healthcare services statewide.
Projected Nursing Capacity Increase
| Institution Type | New Colleges | Upgraded Colleges |
| Annual Intake per Institution | 100 students | 100 students (doubled) |
| Total New Capacity (Est.) | 1000 students | 800 students |
The expansion project aims to significantly boost nursing education capacity. This will ensure a more robust healthcare workforce for Maharashtra.
