Relief for Medical Students as State Government Suspends 2017 Bond Completion Rule
Mumbai: In a major relief to thousands of MBBS graduates across Maharashtra, the state government has temporarily suspended the mandatory one-year bond service requirement for admission into postgraduate (PG) medical courses.
An official order issued on Thursday by the State Medical Education Department confirmed the decision. “The 2017 state government resolution requiring MBBS graduates to complete their bond service before joining PG courses has been put on hold till further orders,” the notification stated.
Background: 2017 Government Resolution Sparked Years of Confusion
The bond requirement, introduced through a Government Resolution (GR) in October 2017, mandated that MBBS graduates from Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) must serve in remote or under-resourced healthcare settings for one year before becoming eligible for MD/MS and PG Diploma programs.
However, confusion arose regarding its implementation. Students admitted to undergraduate MBBS programs in 2019—many of whom recently completed their internships—discovered they were being asked to complete bond service despite not receiving official postings.
Students Seek Clarification Amid Delayed Placements
Medical graduates, particularly those from the 2019 UG batch, raised concerns as they were left in limbo due to delays in bond placements by the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER). With around 4,150 MBBS graduates every year and insufficient postings available, students’ academic and professional futures were being put on hold.
Earlier this month, the Association of State Medical Interns (ASMI) Maharashtra stepped in. In a letter to the Director of Medical Education, the 2019 batch students urged the department to honor their original bond terms and allow them to sit for the upcoming NEET PG examination without delays.
Temporary Relief and Ongoing Discussions
Currently, the state does permit students to enroll in PG courses before fulfilling their bond duties—except for those attempting the PG entrance exam for a third time, who must complete the bond first. The latest decision offers temporary relief to all categories of candidates.
Welcoming the move, ASMI regional coordinator Dr. Zeeshan Bagwan told Hindustan Times, “This is a welcome move but we urge the government to discuss the issue with ASMI before issuing a final government resolution on the matter.”
What Lies Ahead
The government’s latest stay offers temporary relief, but the future of the bond policy remains uncertain. Stakeholders are now pushing for a permanent, clear, and fair resolution to prevent repeated disruptions in medical education and training.
