The college started under the able leadership of Dr. Kate Platt, who was the first Principal of the college. The duration of course covered a period of 7 years including 2 years of pre-medical intermediate science course or Punjab University. The students had to travel all the way to Lahore for their examination and to compete with the students of the Kind Edward Medical College, Lahore. The premedical science departments were closed in 1935, thus reducing the course in the college from 7 years to 5 years. In 1960 rotating internship was introduced for 6 months. The MBBS course was reduced from 5 years to 41/2 years in 1964 with compulsory internship of one year.

 

The number of admissions to the first year was increased gradually from 16 per year in 1916 to 60 in 1956. In 1961 the admissions were increased to 100 and were further raised to 130 in 1970. To implement the Central Educational Institution (Reservation In Admission) Act 2006 LHMC increased under graduate admissions to 150 in 2008 and is likely to be further increased to 200 in the coming year. 

 

Since 1950, the college has been affiliated to University of Delhi. In view of considerable demand for post-graduate students, post-graduate courses were started in 1954 in affiliation with Punjab University and later on with University of Delhi in 1956. To start with only female post-graduate students were admitted, but since 1970 both males and female students are being enrolled for various postgraduate courses. Presently LHMC is admitting 92 PG candidates. Post Graduate admission will be increased in the coming years to implement OBC reservation.

 

Starting in 1916 with only 80 beds for the departments of Medicine, Obstetrics and gynecology, LHMC has now a bed strength of 877 beds in Smt. S.K. Hospital and 370 beds in Kalawati Saran Children Hospital. A separate outpatient block was started in 1958 to cater to the needs of ever increasing population of Delhi.