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The main subject of discussion was the comprehensive plan for developing transport, energy, telecommunications, social, and other infrastructure for a period up to 2036. Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin delivered a report.

During the meeting, several current issues were also addressed. These included the results of the admissions campaign to colleges and universities, the outcomes of competitions to create a comfortable urban environment, as well as the results of work on citizens’ appeals submitted under the Results of the Year with Vladimir Putin programme.

The meeting was also attended by Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vaino, First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Sergei Kiriyenko, deputy prime ministers Tatyana Golikova, Alexander Novak, Alexei Overchuk, Dmitry Patrushev, Vitaly Savelyev, Dmitry Chernyshenko, Deputy Prime Minister – Chief of Staff of the Government Executive Office Dmitry Grigorenko, Deputy Prime Minister – Plenipotentiary Presidential Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Yury Trutnev, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Maxim Oreshkin, Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov, and Minister of Finance Anton Siluanov. Also invited to the meeting were Presidential Aide Alexei Dyumin, Minister of Labour and Social Protection Anton Kotyakov, Minister of Education Sergei Kravtsov, Minister of Healthcare Mikhail Murashko, Minister of Construction, Housing and Utilities Irek Fayzullin, Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov, and Head of the Russian Popular Front Executive Committee Mikhail Kuznetsov.

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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, colleagues,

I have just had a conversation with Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi. I took the liberty of congratulating our friend, the Prime Minister of India, on his 75^th birthday on behalf of all of you, and I would like to convey his warmest words and wishes to the entire Russian leadership.

I would like to note that throughout modern history – more precisely, recent history – dating back to Soviet times and continuing into the era of the new Russia, relations between India and Russia have been exceptionally trusting and friendly, and certainly non-partisan in nature. These relations are based on a nationwide consensus in both Russia and India, as we can see.

Moreover, under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, India pursues a fully independent and sovereign policy and, most importantly, achieves very good economic results. India demonstrates the highest economic growth rates among the world’s major economies.

Congratulating Prime Minister Modi on his anniversary, I wished him and the entire Indian people all the best and further success on our behalf.

Today, we need to discuss a whole range of issues, the main one being infrastructure development. Mr Khusnullin is to deliver a report on this matter. This refers to energy, transport, telecommunications, and social infrastructure.

But first, as usual, a few operational matters. We recently discussed exams taken by school students and the start of admissions to higher education institutions and colleges. Now we can talk about how this campaign proceeded and concluded. I would ask Mr Kravtsov to say a few words about the results of the admissions campaign to colleges. As far as I know, approximately 200,000 more young people were admitted to colleges this year than last year. Is this correct?

Mr Kravtsov, please, the floor is yours.

(Minister of Education Sergei Kravtsov reported that 1.1 million new students were admitted to colleges, bringing the total number of college students to 3.9 million. This figure is comparable to that of the 1970s in the RSFSR, when four million students studied in technical schools and other vocational training institutions.

The number of state-funded places has been increased to 850,000, of which 56 percent are in technical specialties. The average academic score of the applicants enrolling in vocational programmes in aircraft engine manufacturing, programming, chemical technology, and computer systems has shown a marked increase. Competition remains particularly high for IT, medical, and arts-based programmes. The most sought-after places are in radio engineering complexes and spacecraft control systems, with 12 applications per place, and in aircraft engines, with nine applications per place. Active efforts are undertaken to train new personnel for the nation’s defence industry.

Veterans of the special military operation and their children are granted priority admission. To date, more than 20,000 individuals have already taken advantage of this provision. Special attention is also being paid to the newly reunited regions: the number of state-funded places in local vocational institutions has been increased by 1,500, and ten educational clusters have been created in priority sectors such as construction, mechanical engineering, agriculture, and teaching.

During this year’s admissions campaign, the vocational education system received 3.5 million applications, an increase of 900,000 from last year.

We see a significant surge of interest in secondary vocational education. The programmes have been tailored to align with labour market forecasts, which almost guarantees employment in the chosen field upon graduation. Industrial companies themselves invest in colleges and vocational schools, with total investments reaching 8.5 billion rubles.

The Minister outlined key objectives for the future: to check against labour market forecasts on an annual basis, develop infrastructure, in particular, by expanding the network of partner employers.

Sergei Kravtsov also noted that the national system of secondary vocational education will mark its 85^th anniversary on October 2. On this occasion, he extended an invitation to the President to meet with top-performing college students as part of the celebrations. Vladimir Putin thanked the Minister for the invitation.)

Vladimir Putin: Mr Falkov, I would like to ask you to say a few words about the results of the university admissions campaign and comment on how the ten percent quota for participants in the special military operation and their children works.

(Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov reported that 619,000 state-funded places were allocated to universities across all levels of education this year. According to preliminary data, 904,000 high school and college graduates have been admitted to universities. There has been notable growth in applications to programmes related to artificial intelligence technology: 14,058 students were admitted to 161 universities this year, which is almost 2.5 times more than last year. Among the programmes with the highest average admission test scores are high-tech plasma and energy systems, navigation and ballistic support for space technology, dentistry, and restoration of architectural heritage. The average score also rose in such majors as waterways, ports and hydraulic structures, aircraft testing, agricultural engineering, and others.

The Minister noted that a separate quota for participants in the special military operation and their families was closely monitored. Of the 53,800 places allocated under this quota, 28,700 were filled this year, which is 12,000 more than for the previous admissions campaign. It is important, the Minister emphasised, that this category of students receive support and attention necessary for their success from the very beginning of their studies.

The task of attracting applicants to fill state-funded places at universities in the reunited territories is also being effectively addressed. At the request of the regions, 27,593 places were allocated, while special admission conditions were established for applicants from border areas of the Bryansk, Kursk, and Belgorod regions.

There is positive dynamics in terms of targeted admissions: so far, 44,500 students have been enrolled under agreements with employers.

The Minister also noted that Russian higher education is becoming increasingly attractive to foreign applicants. The quota of the Russian Government to train foreign nationals at public expense – 30,000 places – will be fully filled in, with over 80,000 applications submitted. The goal is to increase the number of international students in Russian universities to 500,000 by 2030.)

Vladimir Putin: Mr Falkov mentioned the growing interest in medical professions. This year, we have increased the state-funded quota for medical colleges and universities by 10,000 places.

Mr Murashko, how has this worked out?

(Healthcare Minister Mikhail Murashko noted that over five years, admissions to medical specialist programmes have risen by 27 percent. The Ministry’s higher education institutions received 415,000 applications – a 20 percent increase compared to 2024. The rate for each place averaged 15 applications. In total, 50,000 students were admitted to specialist programmes this year. Given the demand from the regions and citizens for specialists doctors (various medical professionals specialising in ENT diseases, gastroenterology, cardiology, and other areas), admissions to residency programmes have been expanded. Over five years, growth in this area reached 43 percent. This year, 54,000 applications were submitted for residency programmes.

In cooperation with the regions, enrolment to secondary specialised medical education programmes has also increased. Over five years, the number of places in medical colleges has grown by 60 percent. Competition for these programmes remains high, with three applications per place. The County Doctor programme is being successfully implemented, under which 74,000 specialists have been attracted. Special social payments have been established for outpatient clinics, particularly in rural healthcare. Regions that provide housing support, rental compensation, or mortgage assistance resolve staffing issues more efficiently.

The Minister added that the next step to strengthen the healthcare system’s workforce is a new draft law aimed at improving education quality and regulating training volumes. Regarding federally funded training, the draft law proposes a full transition to employer-sponsored education and requires the Healthcare Ministry to coordinate the number of residency places for particular specialisations based on actual demand, ensuring maximum efficiency in training.

Mikhail Murashko stated that many countries worldwide have implemented mentorship programmes for young specialists, improving training quality by having them work under experienced professionals. Experts believe that preparing medical staff for specific future workplaces, guaranteeing employment for trainees, mentoring young specialists during their initial patient interactions, and managing specialised training based on real demand will enhance the quality of medical care and ensure sufficient staffing.

The draft law has now been submitted by the Government to the State Duma, which plans to review it this year.)

Vladimir Putin: Mr Falkov, you mentioned that mentorship is practised in other countries as well. So this is not solely our approach?

Minister of Healthcare Mikhail Murashko: It is a proven and effective practice. We piloted it here and achieved successful results.

Frankly, I myself began my career under the guidance of mentors – senior specialists. I remain grateful to them; many are still working, some have retired, but I still keep in touch. These are the people who, in essence, guide us into the profession.

Vladimir Putin: Indeed. But is this also developing in other countries?

Mikhail Murashko: Yes. It is practised both in our near abroad and in many developed nations. It is an excellent practice.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you very much.

To be continued.