Relief for Medical Graduates Amid Concerns Over Delays and Unavailable Postings
Mumbai: In a significant relief for medical graduates, the Maharashtra Government has temporarily suspended the mandatory one-year government bond service requirement for MBBS graduates seeking admission to postgraduate (PG) medical courses.
A new order issued on Thursday by the State Medical Education Department has placed the 2017 government resolution (GR) on hold until further notice. “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 directive stated.
Background: The 2017 Government Order
Under the previous policy established in October 2017, MBBS graduates from Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) were mandated to complete a year-long bond service at designated rural or government healthcare facilities before becoming eligible for MD/MS and PG Diploma admissions.
However, confusion arose regarding the implementation timeline. Graduates from the 2019–2020 batch—who recently completed their internships—discovered that the new condition applied to their undergraduate batch, not the 2019 PG admissions cycle. Many of these students were still awaiting bond postings, delaying their academic progression.
Student Protests and Advocacy
Facing uncertainty, the Association of State Medical Interns (ASMI) Maharashtra stepped in. Representing the 2019 MBBS batch, ASMI wrote to the Director of Medical Education earlier this month. They demanded clarity on the bond policy and requested that students be allowed to appear for the upcoming NEET PG exam based on their original bond agreements.
ASMI emphasized that the state produces nearly 4,150 MBBS graduates annually, yet the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) lacks adequate postings to accommodate them all. This mismatch has left many graduates in limbo, delaying both careers and further education.
Partial Policy Relaxation Already in Place
Currently, Maharashtra allows MBBS graduates to enroll in PG medical courses before completing bond service. However, those attempting the PG entrance exam for the third time are still required to fulfill their bond obligations beforehand.
Positive Reception and Call for Dialogue
Welcoming the state’s latest decision, 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.”
The stay on the bond service rule offers temporary respite to thousands of medical graduates, but stakeholders continue to seek a long-term, transparent policy solution that addresses systemic placement issues and academic bottlenecks.
