Doctors Eligible Up to 55 Years, Staff Up to 40 Years
New Delhi: In a bid to address long-pending vacancies in the health sector, Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has cleared the Delhi government’s proposal to grant a one-time relaxation in the upper age limit for the recruitment of doctors and healthcare staff in Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs).
With this move, doctors up to 55 years and pharmacists or multipurpose health workers (MHWs) up to 40 years will now be eligible to apply. Earlier, the limit was 45 years for doctors and 30 years for other staff.
Recruitment to Begin in September
Officials said the relaxation will widen the applicant pool and help speed up recruitment. Qualified candidates, including those working in Mohalla Clinics, can apply, with appointments based on merit. Recruitment is likely to begin in September 2025.
Contractual Hiring Under NHM Rules
Staff at AAMs will be hired on a contractual basis under National Health Mission (NHM) rules, with fixed monthly pay. Unlike Mohalla Clinics, where doctors’ pay depends on patient footfall, AAM personnel will receive structured salaries.
Funding Deadline and Rollout Pressure
The urgency stems from the fact that AAMs are part of the PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (2021–22), which has central funding only till March 2026. After that, states will need to manage expenses unless the Centre extends support.
Each AAM sub-centre, as per Indian Public Health Standards, will have one medical officer, one pharmacist, and one MHW, while a staff nurse may take up the MHW role if suitably qualified. Sanitation and security staff may be hired or outsourced.
Over 1,100 Centres Required in Delhi
A senior health department official said, “Anyone qualified, whether in a Mohalla Clinic or elsewhere, can apply. Appointments will be merit-based.”
Based on population norms, Delhi requires around 1,139 AAMs — about 15 centres in each assembly constituency — to deliver comprehensive primary healthcare.
Officials stressed that the age relaxation is a one-time measure to fast-track staffing and ensure the centres become fully functional before the central funding cycle ends.
