Punjab health system hit by exit of 30 specialists who signed 10-year bond
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This departure comes at a time when the state is already grappling with an acute shortage of specialist doctors in its public health institutions.
These doctors had availed govt-sponsored, post-graduate medical education, which requires a 10-year service bond in exchange for subsidised admission under the Punjab Civil Medical Services (PCMS) quota. On average, 50–100 medical officers are granted such seats annually, making them contractually bound to serve the state for a decade after their PG course.
In the most recent wave of exits, four doctors each resigned from Sangrur and Ludhiana, three each from Kapurthala, Mansa, and Faridkot, two each from Mohali, Tarn Taran, and Ropar, and one each from Bathinda, Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Nawanshahr, Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar, and Barnala. Not only have these doctors breached their service commitment, but none have deposited the bond amount they pledged at the time of admission.
Alarmed by this violation, the Punjab health department directed civil surgeons across districts to initiate recovery proceedings. Civil surgeons have been instructed to contact these doctors immediately and serve them a 21-day notice to deposit the bond amount. If they fail, disciplinary action will be initiated, and the department has directed that a formal request be made to the Punjab Medical Council or relevant regulatory bodies to cancel their medical registration.
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According to departmental guidelines, in-service PCMS or PCMS (dental) doctors applying for PG or super-specialty courses must first secure a certificate from their civil surgeon, verifying service tenure, rural postings, and absence of pending inquiries. Based on this, the director of health services (DHS) issues a recommendation for eligibility, following which the department grants an eligibility certificate for PG admissions.
Once selected, these candidates are required to submit an indemnity bond, promising to serve for 10 years after their PG, or pay a penalty of Rs 50 lakh in case of default. Only after submission of the bond are candidates granted a no-objection certificate (NOC) and relieved. Failing to fulfil the bond terms is treated as gross misconduct, warranting not only financial recovery but also de-registration from medical councils.
The policy stipulates that only serving doctors with at least 2 years (or 1 year in some cases) of service are eligible for the NOC to pursue higher studies under the bond conditions.
Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA) president Dr Akhil Sarin said the govt is well within its rights to enforce the terms of the service bond. "Doctors who avail govt quota for post-graduation must honour their professional and moral obligation to serve the public health system," said Dr Sarin.
"Terms are clear, and respecting the bond ensures that quality health services reach the people of Punjab.
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He added such abrupt exits undermine the state's investment in medical education and directly impact healthcare delivery in underserved regions. The association has also urged the govt to take a balanced view, ensuring that while discipline is maintained, larger systemic issues like pay parity and work conditions are also addressed to improve long-term retention. "As Punjab's public health infrastructure continues to strain under the weight of vacancies and attrition, the enforcement of bond obligations may serve as both a deterrent and a signal of the govt's renewed focus on accountability and service delivery," he said.
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