With a view to deal with the problem of shortage of seats in the government colleges, the Medical Council of India (MCI), a state body that regulates the sector and registers doctors, has allowed private sector healthcare companies to start medical colleges.

While companies like Fortis Healthcare, Max Healthcare and Apollo Hospitals are expected to take this opportunity with open arms, it will also help the country to get over with its shortage of seats problem for medical students.

Till now, only state-run bodies, universities and private religious or charitable trusts were allowed to operate medical colleges in the country.

However, many of the students were forced to go overseas to pursue further studies as the capacity was just of 13,500 students. Earlier, the general scenario was that lots of students flew to countries like United States, Britain and Australia every year, but with this move many of them are expected to be studying in the country itself.

Earlier this week, the cabinet has given a green signal to foreign universities for establishing their local campuses in the country. The move was also long-awaited and is expected to revolutionise the education sector.