**Summary:**
This document summarizes the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3431, addressed on August 8, 2025, regarding the retention of bonded specialist doctors. The Ministry clarifies that individual State/Union Territory governments are responsible for formulating and implementing policies related to the recruitment and resignation of healthcare professionals, based on their specific needs.
For specialist doctors within the Central Health Service, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts recruitment interviews, and appointments are made based on the Commission's recommendations. To ensure retention, doctors availing 36 months of Study Leave under CCS Leave Rules, 1972, are required to execute a bond, committing to serve the government for five years post-leave.
The Ministry also outlines several incentives aimed at retaining doctors in the Central Health Service, including: relaxed rules for availing Study Leave (three years instead of two), provision for Extra Ordinary Leave (EOL) for higher studies immediately after joining, the Dynamic Assured Career Progression Scheme, Non-Practicing Allowance, and Annual Allowance.
Key Entities Referenced
MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE: The Union Ministry responsible for health policy in India.
LOK SABHA: The Lower House of the Parliament of India, where the question was raised.
DR. DHARAMVIR GANDHI: The Member of Parliament who raised the unstarred question.
SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL: The Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare who provided the answer.
Central Health Service: A cadre of doctors recruited by the Union Government to provide healthcare services.
Union Public Service Commission: The central recruiting agency in India responsible for recruiting specialist doctors.
CCS Leave Rules, 1972: Central Civil Services Leave Rules governing leave and bond conditions for government employees.
Dynamic Assured Career Progression Scheme: A scheme to provide career advancement opportunities for doctors in Central Health Service.
GOVERNMENTOFINDIA
MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 3431
TOBE ANSWERED ON08TH AUGUST2025
RETENTION OFBONDED SPECIALISTDOCTORS
3431. DR. DHARAMVIRAGANDHI:
Will the Ministerof HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFAREbe pleasedtostate:
(a) whether the Government has any policy in place to fill vacancies and ensure retention after
resignations by bondedspecialist doctors across the country;
(b) if so, the detailsthereof; and
(c)if not,the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTEROFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILY
WELFARE
(SMT. ANUPRIYAPATEL)
(a) to (c): The respective state/UT Governments have their own policies regarding the
recruitment and resignation of healthcare professionals, keeping in view the needs of the state.
However, for specialist doctors in Central Health Service, Union Public Service Commission
conductsinterviewsfor theirrecruitmentandon thebasis ofrecommendationof the Commission,
appointments are made. Under CCS (Leave) Rules, 1972, the doctors availing thirty-six months
of StudyLeave, have to executea bondundertaking toserve the Government for a periodof five
years after the expiry of leave. This helps in retaining specialist doctors during the bond period.
Several incentives are in place to retain doctorsin Central Health Service like relaxation in rules
toavailStudyleaves for three yearsinstead of two years, EOLfor higherstudy immediatelyafter
joining, Dynamic Assured Career Progression Scheme, Non-Practicing Allowance, Annual
Allowance, etc.
****