India’s premier medical institutions are facing serious concerns over the working conditions of resident doctors, as recent Right to Information (RTI) data highlights excessive duty hours, mental health struggles, and a growing number of dropouts from postgraduate (PG) courses.
RTI Findings Expose Harsh Reality in Leading Institutes
Data collected from top institutions like All India Institute of Medical Sciences Delhi, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, and Armed Forces Medical College reveals that resident doctors are working under intense pressure with minimal rest, leading to worsening mental health conditions.
The RTI applications were filed by J. Swamidass in collaboration with the United Doctors Front (UDF), uncovering systemic issues across institutions.
Hundreds of Resident Doctors Quit Courses Midway
The data shows a worrying trend of doctors leaving their courses due to stress and workload:
- At AIIMS Delhi, 225 superspeciality students quit over the last three years.
- Between 2022–2024, over 147 students sought psychiatric counselling at the institute.
- At JIPMER, 276 PG students dropped out between 2020–2024.
- Around 200 students took psychiatric counselling, and several were admitted for stress-related issues.
- At AIIMS Bhopal, over 428 junior residents left their courses during 2020–2024.
These figures indicate a deep-rooted issue within India’s medical education system.
Gruelling Duty Hours Far Beyond Prescribed Limits
Despite guidelines limiting work to 12 hours per day and 48 hours per week, RTI data reveals extreme violations:
- At AFMC, Anaesthesiology residents reported 24–36 hour continuous shifts multiple times a month.
- At AIIMS Nagpur, duty hours reached 82 hours per week, with some departments reporting up to 135 hours weekly.
- At NIMHANS, resident doctors reportedly receive no night offs and only half a day off per week.
- At AIIMS Bhubaneswar, shifts regularly extend beyond 24–36 hours depending on patient load.
In some departments, residents had to perform 15 long-duration shifts in a single month, raising serious safety concerns.
Lack of Records Raises Transparency Concerns
Several departments at JIPMER reportedly do not maintain records of actual duty hours, night shifts, or weekly offs.
According to UDF representatives, this lack of documentation may be an attempt to conceal violations of duty hour regulations.
Mental Health Crisis Among Resident Doctors
The excessive workload, combined with workplace conflicts and academic pressure, has led to a rise in mental health issues:
- Over 1,680 complaints related to workload, harassment, and abuse were received by the National Medical Commission between 2020–2024.
- During the same period, 1,113 PG students quit, and 119 medical students died by suicide.
These figures highlight a growing mental health emergency within the medical community.
Parliamentary Panel Flags Risk to Patient Safety
A Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health, chaired by Ram Gopal Yadav, raised concerns in its 172nd report (March 2026) about:
- Increased risk of clinical errors due to fatigue
- Burnout among doctors
- Compromised patient safety
The panel recommended strict enforcement of a “Clinical Duty Hours Regulation” policy, including mandatory rest periods and monitored duty rosters.
Demand for Urgent Reforms
The United Doctors Front has urged Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda to implement reforms similar to “pilot-like duty hour regulations” to prevent fatigue-related errors.
The association has also filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking enforcement of existing norms that cap working hours.
Growing Concern Over Toxic Work Culture
Experts and medical bodies warn that the current system fosters a toxic work environment, where resident doctors fear speaking out due to potential academic repercussions.
With increasing dropouts, mental health cases, and reports of overwork, the issue is now being seen as not just a workforce problem—but a serious threat to the healthcare system itself.
Conclusion:
The RTI revelations underscore an urgent need for systemic reform in India’s medical training ecosystem. Without immediate intervention, both doctor well-being and patient safety could remain at significant risk.
