Crisis in Telangana Medical Colleges: Survey Reveals 27 Departments Without Teachers and Over 150 Lacking Senior Faculty

Faculty Shortage in Telangana Medical Colleges

Overview of the Situation

In Telangana, a recent survey conducted by the Telangana Senior Resident Doctors Association (TSRDA) has revealed alarming deficiencies in faculty staffing across government medical colleges. The survey, carried out in the last week of January 2026, indicates that 27 departments currently operate without any teaching faculty, while more than 150 departments lack senior faculty members, relying instead on junior doctors. These findings raise significant concerns regarding the quality of medical education and adherence to the standards set by the National Medical Commission (NMC).

Survey Findings

The data analyzed in the TSRDA survey encompassed around 400 departments across 36 government medical colleges in Telangana. A notable observation is that many departments are either completely devoid of faculty or lack senior academic leadership, despite the rapid growth of medical colleges in recent years.

Departments Lacking Teaching Faculty

27 Departments with Zero Faculty

The survey revealed that 27 departments within government medical colleges in Telangana are functioning without any teaching faculty members. This alarming situation means there are no Professors, Associate Professors, or Assistant Professors in these departments, rendering them academically non-functional. Institutions such as the Government Medical Colleges in Jogulamba Gadwal, Asifabad, Kodangal, Bhupalpally, and Narayanpet have been identified as having multiple departments without a single sanctioned teacher, particularly in pre-clinical and para-clinical subjects.

Impact on Medical Education

The absence of teaching staff in these departments raises critical questions about the quality of education provided to medical students. Additionally, the lack of faculty can hinder compliance with NMC regulations.

Shortage of Senior Faculty

Over 150 Departments Affected

The TSRDA has emphasized the importance of senior faculty for effective academic supervision, curriculum planning, examination conduct, and postgraduate training. However, their survey indicates that over 150 departments across Telangana lack any senior faculty members. These departments are primarily managed by junior doctors, and in some instances, operate without any faculty at all. This situation poses a risk of losing accreditation and may lead to challenges in commencing postgraduate courses.

Concentration of Professors in Established Institutions

The survey highlights that more than 70% of departments do not have a single Professor. Most Professors are concentrated in a few older institutions like Osmania Medical College, Gandhi Medical College, and Kakatiya Medical College, while newer district medical colleges frequently lack Professors in essential subjects.

Single-Faculty Departments

Prevalence of Departments with One Faculty Member

Another critical issue identified is the existence of more than 120 departments that rely on a single faculty member, typically an Assistant Professor. This arrangement places an undue burden on the individual, who is responsible for undergraduate teaching, assessments, administrative duties, and clinical or laboratory supervision.

Academic Sustainability Concerns

Experts in medical education have raised concerns regarding the sustainability of such arrangements, indicating that they impose significant workload pressures on junior faculty members.

Impact on Pre-Clinical and Para-Clinical Departments

Most Affected Departments

The data indicates that the shortage of faculty is most severe in pre-clinical and para-clinical departments, which are critical for foundational undergraduate medical training. Departments such as Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Social & Preventive Medicine, and Forensic Medicine are particularly affected, with many lacking adequate staffing.

Dependence on Contract Faculty

Where faculty does exist, many are on short-term contracts, exacerbating the instability of teaching staff. Some departments report having entirely contractual teaching staff, while others maintain only temporary personnel for junior and mid-level positions.

Expansion of Medical Colleges in Telangana

Rapid Growth of Medical Institutions

Telangana has experienced one of the fastest expansions of medical colleges in India in recent years. As of 2021, the state had 34 medical colleges, and in the last four years, at least 32 new institutions have been established. This expansion aligns with a national initiative to create 75,000 new medical seats across the country within five years.

Compliance with NMC Guidelines

The NMC mandates specific faculty strength requirements for medical colleges. According to the 2023 Minimum Standard Requirements guidelines, each undergraduate medical department must have a minimum of two to four faculty members for every 50 MBBS students. Additionally, postgraduate courses require at least three faculty members in each specialty. However, the TSRDA survey indicates that many government medical colleges in Telangana fall short of fulfilling these essential faculty requirements.