Doctors seeking DNB, Diploma courses must work in specific dept for at least 10 years: Karnataka Govt

Bengaluru: The Health and Family Welfare Department has introduced revised guidelines on higher education rules for doctors mandating long-term service commitments and strict compliance.

As per the new rules, doctors who choose to pursue postgraduate courses such as DNB or diploma programmes must serve in the specific department for at least 10 years. They will also have to submit a written undertaking before starting the course.

Also read- 208 Karnataka MBBS graduates face Rs 15 lakh penalty each for bond service failure

An order issued by the Health Department, as reported by Deccan Herald, mentioned that the department has made it clear that strict action will be taken if doctors fail to meet academic requirements.

If a doctor does not complete the course within the stipulated time, fails to maintain logbooks, or does not meet the benchmarks set by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), they will have to pay a penalty to the government.

Further, the order also mentioned that doctors must submit certificates validating that they meet the NBEMS standards to avail the monthly incentives.

These revised rules come after the department faced backlash over earlier decisions related to doctors’ higher education policies.

Medical Dialogues had previously reported that Karnataka-based Medical officers, willing to pursue higher education, will either be able to avail in-service quota for counselling during allotment, or they will be permitted to be sent on deputation to higher education courses during which they would be eligible for course fee, salary, and other service benefits.

Medical Officers seeking permission (i.e., either for in-service quota or for deputation) for postgraduate (PG) or DNB course shall be eligible only after completion of a minimum of seven years of Government service, comprising two years of probation and five years of regular service thereafter. This condition is in accordance with the Karnataka Civil Services (Deputation for Prosecution of Higher Studies and Training Leave to Group 'A' Officers) Rules, 2008, and shall be strictly adhered to in all future deputation proposals.

Recently, the Karnataka Health Department issued notices to 208 MBBS graduates for not signing up for the compulsory rural service in Karnataka. Each of them now faces a penalty of Rs 15 lakh if they fail to comply. The candidates have been given 30 days to pay the penalty amount. If they fail to do so, legal action will follow.

Also read- Inservice quota, deputation: Karnataka tightens rules for doctors' higher studies