The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, has approved the operationalisation of Ladakh’s first Government Medical College in Leh from the academic year 2027–28, following the intervention of Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena.

The approval paves the way for phased recruitment against 103 sanctioned regular posts, in accordance with academic requirements. It marks a significant step towards fulfilling the long-standing aspiration of the people of Ladakh to access quality medical education within the Union Territory.

The Government Medical College in Leh is expected to expand opportunities for local students aspiring to pursue medical education, strengthen clinical training facilities and contribute to the long-term development of healthcare services in Ladakh.

On July 13, 2026, the Lieutenant Governor wrote to Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare J. P. Nadda, seeking a one-time relaxation from the requirement that nearly 80 per cent of the college’s infrastructure be completed before recruitment of faculty and support staff could begin. The request aimed to enable preparatory recruitment to commence in time for the proposed start of academic activities while construction of the dedicated infrastructure continues.

Taking note of the request and the urgency involved, the Ministry agreed to the proposal, stating that recruitment against the 103 posts would be undertaken in a staggered manner from the academic year 2027–28 onwards, based on the academic requirements identified by the UT Administration.
The UT Administration will ensure that the posts are filled on a regular basis in accordance with the approved Recruitment Rules. The college will shift to its dedicated infrastructure once the proposed facilities are completed.

L-G Saxena thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda for their support, describing the approval as an important milestone for Ladakh and a step towards fulfilling the region’s long-standing aspirations.

“I am grateful to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda for their continued support towards strengthening healthcare and medical education in Ladakh. This approval will enable us to begin the process of building the required academic team in a phased manner, in line with academic needs. Our objective is to provide the youth of Ladakh greater access to quality medical education while strengthening the region’s healthcare system. We will work to ensure that all necessary arrangements are made for the commencement of the Medical College in the academic year 2027–28,” Saxena said.

As an interim arrangement, two newly constructed buildings have been identified to serve as the Academic Block and Students’ Hostel. The existing 200-bedded Sonam Norboo Memorial (SNM) Hospital, supported by around 60 experienced doctors, is expected to provide the clinical training required for the first batch of MBBS students.

These interim facilities will be used until the dedicated infrastructure is completed, in accordance with the conditions stipulated by the Department of Expenditure.