Chandigarh | In a significant policy decision aimed at bolstering healthcare education, the Punjab government has increased the retirement age for medical officers, specialist doctors, and dental faculty from 62 to 65 years. The move is expected to strengthen the state’s medical and dental education infrastructure by retaining experienced professionals longer.
Finance Department Approves Proposal
The announcement was made by Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, who confirmed that the Finance Department has formally approved the proposal sent by the Department of Medical Education and Research. This update will benefit officers governed by the Punjab Dental Education (Group-A) Service Rules, 2016.
With this change, the dental teaching faculty at government institutions will now retire at the same age as their counterparts in the medical teaching faculty at Government Medical Colleges in Amritsar and Patiala, who already have a retirement age of 65.
113 Dental Professionals to Benefit Immediately
The revised policy will directly benefit 113 dental faculty members, including 112 teaching professionals and one joint director, who will now be eligible to serve for an additional three years.
Speaking to Hindustan Times, Minister Cheema stated:
“The extension brings parity with existing policies and will help retain highly skilled faculty, improving the quality and performance of medical education in Punjab.”
He emphasized that the decision is part of the state’s broader efforts to enhance academic standards and utilize the expertise of senior faculty in improving healthcare delivery and education.
Push for Faculty Retention and Sectoral Reforms
The government believes that by retaining experienced professionals, it can improve both student training and patient care outcomes across state-run institutions.
“We want to harness their knowledge for the benefit of students and patients alike,” Cheema added.
Pending Promises on Doctors’ Security
Meanwhile, the development comes amid growing unrest in the medical fraternity over unfulfilled promises related to workplace safety. Nearly a year after the AAP-led government pledged to provide 24×7 security for doctors at government hospitals and medical colleges, doctors across Punjab have issued a fresh ultimatum.
As reported by Doctor Post, healthcare workers have warned they will protest if the security deployment promised last year is not fulfilled by August 19, 2025.
Doctors allege that despite repeated assurances, the state has failed to ensure adequate security in health institutions—an issue critical to the safety of frontline workers.
