Govt has prepared one of its buildings for the launch of MBBS classes of Govt Medical College in Navanagar, Bagalkot
Sources in the district hospital said that the hospital is attached to the college for practical study of students. Bagalkot: The 23rd Govt Medical College sanctioned for Bagalkot is all set to start classes from the first week of Oct. The college is the sixth one in Kittur Karnataka and the first one in undivided Vijayapura district.
Govt Medical College was a dream of Bagalkot district people, which was materialised just before the bypoll held in May 2026. With the admission of 80 students in the NEET first-phase allotment, against the sanctioned 100 seats, the medical college has temporary accommodation at a govt building in Navanagar.
We recently visited there and learnt that as many as 60 students were admitted in the second round of NEET counselling, and the number was increased to 80 in the third round. All 100 seats, approved by the National Medical Council, will be filled in the NEET mop-up round. Systematic arrangements have been made to start classes, and we have instructed the officials to complete renovation of the building by Oct 15. He also stated, “Land of 33 acres is identified for the new college building and construction work will start soon. Govt is providing grants of Rs 400 crore and it will be released in phases for building and other infrastructure. An official with Directorate of Medical Education in Bengaluru asserted that faculty members are currently deputed from other medical colleges and govt has initiated recruitment of 143 teaching and non-teaching faculty members. Three batches of 35 students each will be formed for the classes,” he added.
Bagalkot MLA Umesh Meti told TOI that it was his father’s dream to have a govt medical college in Bagalkot. “It will start functioning in a government building prepared in Navanagar. The temporary building has been converted to facilitate classrooms, a meeting hall, a museum, and a library. “There is a need for six teaching faculty for the first year of MBBS, which will start with a foundation course. Aravind Muchakhandi, secretary of Bagalkot Abhivruddhi Horata Samiti, welcomed the start of classes in Govt Medical College in Bagalkot. “For practical study, the district hospital is well equipped. However, the govt should not delay the construction of its own building and provide other facilities at the earliest. If it is not strengthened soon, the college may lose demand in NEET counselling,” he worried.