AIIMS, JIPMER, NIMHANS among institutes where heavy workload, burnout, and course dropouts raise alarm
New Delhi: Resident doctors at India’s premier medical institutions are facing extreme work pressure, prolonged duty hours, and worsening mental health conditions, according to data obtained through Right to Information (RTI) applications.
The findings, shared by United Doctors Front (UDF), highlight a disturbing trend of burnout, psychiatric counselling, and increasing dropout rates among postgraduate (PG) and super-speciality medical students.
Massive Dropouts and Rising Mental Health Concerns
At All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi, a total of 225 super-speciality students quit their courses over the past three years.
Data from the institute’s Student Wellness Centre revealed that between January 2022 and December 2024:
- 112 PG medical students
- 22 non-medical PG students
- 13 super-speciality students
sought psychiatric counselling.
Similarly, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) reported that 276 PG students left their courses between 2020 and 2024. Additionally:
- 200 students underwent psychiatric counselling
- 12 were admitted for depression and stress-related conditions
Experts Flag ‘Toxic Work Culture’
Dr Lakshya Mittal, Chairperson of UDF, said the data exposes a deeply concerning work environment.
He pointed to excessive workload, academic pressure, conflicts with seniors, and faculty-related issues as key factors, adding that the high dropout rate reflects “inhumane duty hours and toxic workplace culture.”
RTI responses from JIPMER also recorded complaints related to bullying, faculty harassment, and long working hours.
Gruelling Duty Hours Across Institutes
The RTI data paints a stark picture of duty schedules across institutions:
At Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), resident doctors in Anaesthesiology reportedly:
- Work 24–36 hour shifts multiple times a month
- Completed 63 separate 36-hour shifts in just three months
- Faced up to 30 night shifts in a single month
In General Medicine, residents logged up to 66 hours per week over several months.
At All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bhubaneswar, despite claims of limiting duty to 48 hours weekly, some departments recorded:
- Regular 12–14 hour shifts
- 24-hour duties 2–3 times weekly, sometimes extending to 36 hours
At All India Institute of Medical Sciences Nagpur:
- Anaesthesiology residents worked up to 328 hours monthly (~82 hours/week)
- Paediatrics residents logged up to 540 hours monthly (~135 hours/week)
- Multiple 24–36 hour continuous shifts were reported
No Weekly Offs, Minimal Leave
The National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) informed via RTI that:
- Resident doctors do not receive night offs
- Only half-day weekly leave is granted
- Emergency duties can last 24 hours
Meanwhile, some departments at JIPMER reportedly do not maintain records of duty hours, raising concerns about transparency.
NMC Data Reveals National Crisis
The National Medical Commission (NMC) acknowledged that between 2020 and 2024:
- 1,680 complaints were received regarding workload, harassment, and long hours
- 1,113 PG students quit courses
- 119 UG and PG medical students died by suicide
These figures point to a systemic issue affecting medical education and healthcare delivery nationwide.
Policy Gaps and Legal Action
The current working conditions reportedly violate the 1992 residency guidelines, which mandate:
- Maximum 12-hour duty shifts
- 48-hour work weeks
- Mandatory weekly offs
The UDF has filed a Public Interest Litigation in the Supreme Court, seeking enforcement of these norms and improved working conditions.
Parliamentary Panel Raises Red Flag
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health, in its 172nd report submitted on March 18, 2026, expressed serious concern over doctor shortages and excessive workload.
The panel warned that fatigue and burnout could lead to clinical errors and compromise patient safety. It recommended implementing a strict “Clinical Duty Hours Regulation” policy with:
- Mandatory rest periods
- Monitored duty rosters
- Structured enforcement mechanisms
The committee, chaired by Ram Gopal Yadav, emphasized the need for urgent reforms, drawing comparisons with safety protocols in aviation.
Call for Immediate Reform
Following the report, UDF has urged Union Health Minister J P Nadda to implement the recommendations without delay.
Medical experts warn that unless systemic reforms are introduced, the ongoing crisis could not only impact doctors’ well-being but also pose serious risks to patient care and the healthcare system as a whole.
