NEW DELHI, SEPT 22: The Appointments Committee of the Union Cabinet has approved a further one-year extension in the tenure of Dr Raghav Langer, IAS, as Secretary of the National Medical Commission (NMC) and Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.
The extension will take effect beyond October 3, 2026, allowing Dr Langer to continue in the key administrative position as the medical education sector undergoes expansion, regulatory reforms and increased digitalisation.
The medical education landscape has witnessed significant capacity expansion during the current academic year.
For 2026-27, 44 additional medical colleges have been sanctioned across the country, taking the total number of recognised medical colleges and institutions to 863, with an annual intake capacity of 1,43,414 MBBS seats and 68,275 postgraduate seats, including those in 72 standalone PG institutions.
Jammu and Kashmir has also received an increase in medical education capacity for the current academic session, with 175 additional MBBS seats sanctioned, taking the Union Territory’s annual MBBS intake to 1,750 seats.
During his tenure at the NMC, Dr Langer has been associated with the regulatory and administrative framework governing medical education, including efforts towards greater transparency through digital initiatives.
The Commission has been pursuing nationwide digital systems, including the PAN-India Unified Registration Portal, aimed at facilitating seamless registration and mobility of medical practitioners.
Dr Langer, a J&K cadre IAS officer, has also held several important administrative assignments in Jammu and Kashmir during his deputation to the Union Territory. His previous positions include Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Deputy Commissioner Kathua and Deputy Commissioner Pulwama.
The extension comes at a time when the NMC is overseeing the expansion of medical education capacity alongside regulatory and technology-driven reforms aimed at streamlining processes and improving transparency in the sector.
