New Resident Doctors Policy Notified; 66.66 : 33.33 Formula to Govern State Quota PG Seats
Shimla:
The state government has notified a new Resident Doctors Policy, bringing sweeping changes in the recruitment, training and service conditions of junior and senior resident doctors in government medical colleges.
A major feature of the policy is the formal adoption of the 66.66 : 33.33 ratio for allotment of postgraduate medical seats under the State Quota.
Under the new framework, 66.66 per cent of State Quota PG seats will be reserved for in-service doctors, while 33.33 per cent seats will go to direct candidates selected through NEET-PG merit. Health department officials said the formula is aimed at striking a balance between rewarding government doctors serving in public health institutions and preserving opportunities for fresh postgraduate aspirants.
Separate merit lists will be prepared for both categories. In-service candidates will be eligible for incentive weightage as per existing norms to ensure they fill their prescribed share of seats.
Transparent recruitment of resident doctors
According to the sources, policy also streamlines the recruitment of senior and junior residents, shifting the selection process to a centralised mechanism instead of institution-level appointments.
Appointments will now be made through counselling conducted by the designated university, bringing uniformity and transparency across medical colleges.
Senior residents will be appointed for a fixed tenure with clearly defined academic and clinical responsibilities, strengthening the teaching workforce in government medical colleges.
Working conditions and stipends
Addressing long-standing concerns of resident doctors, the policy lays emphasis on regulated duty hours, timely payment of stipends and academic protection.
Medical colleges have been directed to avoid excessively long continuous duty shifts and ensure weekly offs except during emergencies.
The health department has also reiterated that delays in stipend payments will be viewed seriously and fixed accountability will be enforced at the institutional level.
Focus on safety and grievance redressal
The policy mandates the constitution of grievance redressal committees in all medical colleges and hospitals. Institutions have been asked to strengthen security arrangements and ensure swift action in cases of harassment or violence against resident doctors.
Implementation timeline
All government medical colleges have been directed to align their existing rules with the new policy within the stipulated timeframe. The health department said strict monitoring will be undertaken to ensure uniform implementation.
Resident doctors’ associations have welcomed the policy, particularly the clarity on seat distribution and recruitment, but stressed that effective execution on the ground—especially regarding duty hours and stipend disbursal—will determine its real impact.
The government maintains that the new policy will not only improve the working environment for resident doctors but also strengthen patient care by stabilising the medical workforce in public hospitals.
RDA has yet to respond to the new policy.