Medical education in India: moments of pensive introspection.

India has 262 medical colleges, producing over 29,000 doctors a year. Nearly half of these medical colleges have recently risen in the private sector. As a result, there is an acute shortage of medical teachers. Teaching in medical colleges was once considered immensely important. It is, however, no longer an attractive career option for a young doctor now. With private practice permitted in most colleges, teaching remains low on the priority scale for most doctors. There is quite naturally a visible effect on the quality of doctors being produced if you may, and on the young doctor's approach to this profession. It is perhaps time for us to decide then if we are indeed moving towards the light.