The people of Guwahati celebrated the establishment of the Pragjyotishpur Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), the city’s second medical college and Assam’s 14th government-run institution. 

• The new college aims to ease the patient load on the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) and expand opportunities for medical education in the region.
• The foundation stone of PMCH was laid on February 14, 2022, at a 62-bigha site in Kalapahar. 
• Outpatient services began on February 1, 2025, and in June 2025, the National Medical Commission (NMC) granted approval to admit the first batch of 50 MBBS students for the 2025–26 session. 
• The institution is affiliated with the Srimanta Sankaradeva University of Health Sciences.
• Equipped with a 505-bed hospital, ICUs, NICUs, operation theatres, an emergency block, CT/MRI imaging, and blood bank facilities, PMCH is envisioned as a centre of excellence in education, research, and patient care. 
• The upcoming Panbazar campus will add 800 beds, 100 ICUs, dialysis facilities, and 11 operation theatres.
• Though facing initial challenges like shortage of resident doctors, limited faculty accommodation, and infrastructure gaps, PMCH has ambitious plans to expand into postgraduate and super-specialty services. 
• With adequate support, it is expected to become a premier hub of medical education and healthcare for Assam and the Northeast.

Practice MCQ

Q. With reference to the Pragjyotishpur Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), recently established in Guwahati, consider the following statements:

1. It is the second medical college in Guwahati and the 14th government medical college in Assam.
2. The National Medical Commission has permitted PMCH to admit 100 MBBS students from 2025–26.
3. PMCH is affiliated with the Srimanta Sankaradeva University of Health Sciences.
4. The Panbazar campus of PMCH will add 800 beds, 100 ICUs, and 11 operation theatres.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (b) 

The Assam Tribune