The Medical Council of India has projected a need for five hundred medical colleges in the next five years. In its recommendations to the government, it suggested that each such institution should have atleast ten acres of land for a college and hospital and not more than 250 students. MCI chairperson Shiv Kumar Sarin said in New Delhi that the recommendations also put emphasis on increasing the retirement age of the Professors in the Medical Colleges by five years. Currently they retire at the age of 65. This he said, is being done to meet the shortage of faculty in the medical colleges. Mr. Sarin said that the last date for receiving the applications pertaining to establishment of medical colleges and hospitals is 30th of this month. The MCI Chief said for setting up of 500 Medical colleges it is important to involve the private sector in a big way, as there is a shortfall of 7.5 lakh doctors in the country.