New Delhi, Aug 25 (IANS): The health ministry on Monday introduced an online procedure for submitting applications for setting up new medical colleges and increasing the intake capacity for MBBS in existing colleges.

"It is an add-on procedure which will run parallel with the conventional procedure of manual submission of applications. As per the revised procedure, an online application is mandatory," the ministry said in a release.

It said applicants/colleges desirous of filling an application for establishing new medical colleges and increase in intake capacity of MBBS have to follow a 12-step procedure that begins by clicking links on the site www.mohfw.nic.in.

The instructions include taking an acknowledgement of the online application.

The applicants are required to file a manual copy of the complete application as prescribed by the Medical Council of India regulations, all valid documents drafts in original as evidence of fee paid and a copy of the system generated online application acknowledgement.

The last date for submission of applications is August 31.