Commission Warns of Action Against Officials for Non-Compliance Under PGMER 2023
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the Union Health Ministry to submit a compliance report regarding alleged violations of duty hour regulations at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital under the Postgraduate Medical Education Regulations (PGMER) 2023.
The Commission has warned that if the report is not submitted within four weeks, it may invoke powers under Section 13 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, including summoning the concerned authorities for personal appearance.
The matter stems from a complaint filed by Dr. Lakshya Mittal, Chairperson of the United Doctors’ Front (UDF), over excessive duty hours imposed on resident doctors.
NHRC Expresses Concern Over Continued Inaction
According to UDF, the NHRC had first sought a detailed report from the Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on June 11, 2025. However, despite a reminder issued on October 27, 2025, the Ministry allegedly failed to submit the compliance report.
Referring to the latest direction by the Commission, UDF stated that the repeated non-compliance reflects serious concern over the handling of the RG Kar case and the implementation of resident doctor duty regulations.
RG Kar Incident Triggered National Debate on Resident Doctors’ Working Conditions
The controversy gained national attention following the brutal rape and murder of a postgraduate medical doctor at RG Kar Medical College in August 2024. The doctor was reportedly attacked while resting inside hospital premises after nearly 36 hours of continuous duty.
The incident sparked outrage across the medical community, with doctors’ associations claiming that excessive working hours, lack of rest, and poor safety mechanisms have become systemic problems in medical institutions across India.
UDF stated that the tragedy was not an isolated incident but a reflection of a collapsing healthcare system where doctors are subjected to “inhuman” work schedules.
UDF Demands Enforcement of Uniform Residency Scheme
Resident doctors’ associations have long demanded implementation of the Uniform Residency Scheme, 1992, which prescribes a maximum of 48 working hours per week and no more than 12 continuous duty hours.
In its complaint to NHRC filed on March 20, 2025, UDF alleged that despite official directives from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, medical institutions across the country routinely violate these norms, forcing resident doctors to work between 80 and 100 hours every week.
The association demanded:
- Strict nationwide enforcement of duty-hour regulations
- Legal action against institutions violating norms
- Transparent publication of duty schedules
- Independent monitoring mechanisms and surprise audits
- Accountability for officials manipulating duty rosters
NMC Rules Allow Penal Action Against Institutions
The NHRC reviewed responses submitted by the National Medical Commission (NMC) and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
According to the communications received by the Commission, Regulation 5.2 (II) of PGMER 2023 states that postgraduate medical students must work as full-time resident doctors but should be provided “reasonable working hours” and adequate rest.
Further, Regulation 9.1 and 9.2 empower the Post Graduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB) under NMC to take penal action against medical colleges or institutions for non-compliance.
The NHRC observed that violations of these regulations may attract action against the concerned institution and officials.
UDF Calls for PMO Intervention
Escalating the matter further, UDF has also urged intervention from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Dr. Mittal said the RG Kar incident exposed deep systemic failures in India’s healthcare system.
The association also demanded the appointment of Ratna Debnath, mother of the deceased doctor, to a key healthcare leadership role in West Bengal, arguing that her lived experience could help drive accountability and reform.
‘Institutionalized Exploitation’: UDF
Calling the current system “institutionalized exploitation,” Dr. Lakshya Mittal said that overworked resident doctors not only face serious health and safety risks themselves but also compromise patient care quality.
“This is not just a healthcare issue anymore—it is a governance issue,” he said, adding that the RG Kar tragedy should become a defining moment for nationwide healthcare reform and accountability.
