The Rajasthan government has introduced a new rule requiring government doctors who wish to pursue super-speciality courses such as DM and MCh through the NEETSS (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test – Super Speciality) to submit a ₹25 lakh bank guarantee before their original documents are released.
The move, announced by the state’s Medical Education Department in Jaipur, aims to ensure that doctors return to serve in government hospitals after completing their super-speciality training.
Bank Guarantee Now Mandatory for Document Release
Under the new directive, postgraduate doctors who are currently serving or are required to serve under the Rajasthan State Bond Service Policy must submit a bank guarantee equivalent to the bond amount to get their documents resealed and participate in NEET-SS counselling.
At present, doctors pursuing postgraduate or super-speciality courses in government and RajMES medical colleges in Rajasthan are required to sign a service bond of ₹25 lakh. This bond commits them to serve in the state government for two years after completing the course.
According to the order, if a postgraduate student is selected for a super-speciality course in the following year, they may pursue the programme on the condition that they complete the mandatory two-year government service after finishing their DM or MCh course. To ensure compliance, the concerned medical college will collect a bank guarantee equivalent to the bond amount.
Rule Also Applies to Senior Residency at National Institutes
The directive also applies to doctors selected for Senior Residency positions at Institutes of National Importance such as All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh, and Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research.
If a candidate is selected for a super-speciality course or fellowship at such institutions and needs their original documents, the state may initially release them for one month based on an undertaking. However, if the candidate joins the institute, the documents will only be released after submitting a bank guarantee equivalent to the bond amount.
Two-Year Mandatory Service After Super-Speciality Training
Doctors opting for government or government-society medical colleges for postgraduate or super-speciality courses must sign a surety stating that after completing the course they will serve the state government for two years.
During this period, they may be posted as Senior Residents, Junior Residents, Assistant Professors, Junior Specialists, or Medical Officers depending on the state’s healthcare requirements.
The order also states that original academic documents, including the bachelor’s degree, will remain with the concerned institution until the bond conditions are fulfilled. If the doctor fails to comply with the bond, the candidate and the surety will be jointly liable to pay ₹25 lakh, which can be recovered by the government as arrears of land revenue.
Earlier Only Service Bond Was Required
Previously, doctors were only required to sign a service bond committing to work in government hospitals after completing postgraduate or super-speciality courses. There was no requirement to submit a bank guarantee.
The introduction of the bank guarantee is intended to ensure that doctors complete the mandatory service period after their training.
Proposal to Increase Bond Amount Sparks Concern
The Medical Education Department has also proposed increasing the bond amount to as much as ₹1.5 crore depending on the speciality. This proposal has triggered strong opposition from resident doctor associations.
Doctors’ Associations Oppose the Policy
Medical bodies such as the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) and the Jaipur Association of Resident Doctors (JARD) have urged the state government to withdraw the bank guarantee requirement.
In a representation to the Rajasthan Health Minister, the associations said that a ₹25 lakh bank guarantee creates a significant financial barrier for doctors from middle-class backgrounds and could prevent deserving candidates from pursuing super-speciality education.
They argued that such financial requirements could turn super-specialisation from a merit-based achievement into an opportunity limited to financially privileged candidates.
Concerns Over Shortage of Specialists
The associations also warned that restricting academic progression of postgraduate doctors could worsen the shortage of specialists in fields such as oncology, transplant surgery, and medical genetics.
According to them, around 2,000 postgraduate doctors graduate in Rajasthan every year, but only about 150 to 200 pursue super-speciality courses. If financial restrictions discourage them, many DM and MCh seats may be filled by candidates from other states, potentially reducing the number of specialists available in Rajasthan in the future.
Doctors Demand Affidavit-Based System Instead
Resident doctor groups have recommended replacing the bank guarantee requirement with an affidavit-based deferment system. They argue that a legally binding undertaking to serve the state after completing super-speciality training should be sufficient.
They have also requested the government to immediately release original documents or transfer them directly to the institutions where candidates secure admission so that doctors do not lose academic opportunities during the ongoing NEET-SS counselling cycle.
According to the associations, super-speciality education ultimately strengthens the state’s healthcare system and should be treated as an extension of public service rather than a violation of earlier bond obligations.
