3-year service mandatory for govt doctors seeking NOC for higher studies: Bihar issues new guidelines

Patna: Government doctors seeking no-objection certificates (NOCs) for higher studies outside the state or in private medical colleges will now have to complete at least three years of continuous regular service in Bihar, according to a new policy issued by the Bihar Health Department.

The state government has released detailed guidelines for granting NOCs to doctors under the Bihar Health Services and Dental Doctor Service cadre for higher education, senior residency, DNB courses and other professional purposes.

As per the new Resolution No. 3/Vividh-01-19/2026 dated June 5, 2026, doctors seeking permission for PG, DNB, DM, MCh and other higher studies outside Bihar or in private institutions within the state must have confirmed service status and certification from their controlling officer proving completion of three years of regular and continuous service.

The department said the decision was taken after observing that many doctors proceed on leave or study leave for higher education and other purposes soon after appointment and posting, resulting in a severe shortage of manpower at healthcare institutions and affecting medical services.

It also noted that some doctors remain on long leave or unauthorised absence for extended periods and, after being selected for higher education or other purposes, join at their place of posting only to later leave for higher studies.

Additionally, doctors pursuing higher studies in other states have been seeking NOCs to complete the mandatory bond service period prescribed there after completing their studies.

In view of the above circumstances, the department issued clear guidelines regarding the grant of NOC to doctors.

For higher studies:

Under the new policy, doctors, after completing higher studies and rejoining the department, will not be granted NOC again for higher studies outside the state or in private institutions for at least five years.

They must submit their application seeking departmental permission at least one month before the last date for application for higher studies. Only thereafter, permission/NOC will be granted to the doctors for admission/counselling or joining the selected institution.

NOC for PG/DNB (Speciality) and DM/MCh/DNB (Super Speciality) will be granted on the condition that the institution outside Bihar where admission is taken do not impose a post-study bond.

In case of institutions/states having bond conditions, NOC will be granted only if the concerned doctor submits an affidavit issued by a First-Class Executive Magistrate stating that they will not take admission in a bond-covered institution, or they will mandatorily break the bond after completion of studies and deposit the required amount with the concerned state/institution, while continuing service under the Bihar Government.

"The responsibility for payment of bond amount shall rest entirely with the doctor pursuing studies. It is also clarified that under Departmental Resolution No. 450(1) dated 15.04.2017 and amended Resolution No. 1092(17) dated 04.10.2025, doctors covered under the PG bond policy who have completed two years of service under the State Government shall be treated as having completed the bond period," the resolution read. 

The policy further states that doctors who already possess a postgraduate degree will not be granted NOC for another PG course. Similarly, doctors who already have a super-speciality degree will not be allowed NOC for another super-speciality programme.

Doctors who have completed their postgraduation in a subject in future will be granted NOC only for higher studies and Senior Residency in the same subject as per rules, whereas specialist doctors under Bihar Health Services will get NOC for DM/MCh/DNB (Super Speciality) only in the same speciality in which they are holding the post.

The government has also capped the number of doctors eligible for NOC for higher studies at 3% of the total sanctioned strength of general and specialist medical officers in a year. The selection will be based on seniority and the date of application submission.

If a doctor, after being granted NOC, leaves the course/training midway without completing it and rejoins the department, the policy strictly mentioned that he or she will not be granted NOC again.

Meanwhile, doctors with a service period of three years or less will not be granted NOC for higher studies.

For PG Sponsored DNB (Post MBBS and Post Diploma) Seats:

Under the Health Department Resolution No. 643(1) dated September 4, 2023, doctors working regularly under the Bihar Government will be eligible for NOC for PG Sponsored DNB (Post MBBS and Post Diploma) courses conducted by the National Board of Examinations (NBE), New Delhi, subject to certain conditions.

Doctors from the General Medical Officer cadre seeking admission in medical colleges within Bihar will be granted conditional NOC as per the provisions of the resolution. However, those seeking admission in medical colleges outside the state must fulfil additional criteria.

According to the policy, the doctor’s service must be confirmed and the controlling officer must certify completion of at least three years of regular and continuous service.

Further, doctors applying for admission to institutions outside Bihar under the PG Sponsored DNB scheme will be granted unpaid NOC. The number of such NOCs will be limited to 2% of the sanctioned strength of General Medical Officers and will be allotted on the basis of seniority and the date of application submission.

The resolution also clarified that these seats will be over and above the seats already fixed for higher studies under Clause (A)(ix).

For Senior Resident/Tutor:

The Bihar Government has also laid down fresh conditions for granting NOC to doctors seeking Senior Residency or Tutor positions outside the state, excluding medical colleges within Bihar. The NOC will be granted subject to the following conditions:

i. Service must be confirmed.

ii. Completion of three years of regular/continuous service must be certified by the controlling officer.

iii. After completing higher studies and rejoining the department, doctors shall not be granted NOC again for Senior Residency/Tutorship outside Bihar for at least five years.

iv. In exceptional circumstances, doctors may be granted NOC once during their entire service tenure, with relaxation in conditions, for tenure positions in institutions funded by the Bihar Government or run by the Government of India, such as AIIMS, IGIMS, PMCH and other important medical institutions, if considered absolutely necessary.

v. In such cases, the department’s decision shall be final, and no claim by the applicant shall be entertained.

vi. NOC shall not be granted for Senior Residency in private institutions.

vii. NOC for Senior Residency shall be granted to only 1% of the total sanctioned strength of General/Specialist Medical Officer cadre, based on seniority and date of submission of application.

For Joining Other Services:

The Bihar Government has clarified that doctors will be granted NOC for applying to other services only if the new post carries a higher rank and better pay scale than the position currently held by them, whether the opportunity is within the state or outside Bihar.

The new policy also states that doctors who remained on long leave or were unauthorisedly absent from duty will become eligible for fresh NOC for higher studies, Senior Residency or other approved purposes only after completing one year of regular service following their rejoining at the place of posting.

Further, the Health Department has announced that all earlier circulars, orders, resolutions and notifications related to grant of NOC to doctors will stand superseded to the extent covered under the new policy.

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