Patiala, Jan. 3 -- In what could be a setback for MBBS aspirants in the state, the state wouldn't be able to apply for any new government medical college this year also. The National Medical Commission (NMC), the apex medical education body in the country, has already invited applications for new medical colleges intending to start undergraduate (UG) courses in the academic year 2026-27. The deadline is January 28.

Though the government was mulling applying for the two proposed government medical colleges - Hoshiarpur and Kapurthala, the upgrade process hasn't been commenced so far. As a result, Punjab will not get any new government medical college before 2027.

Confirming the development, a senior official of the Punjab medical educati...