These doctors, who completed their MD in forensic medicine, were recruited through the 2025 Medical Services Recruitment Board (MRB) exam for assistant surgeons, a post that traditionally requires only an MBBS qualification.
Due to the absence of a dedicated recruitment pathway for specialists, these doctors had no option but to apply through general-category openings. As a result, they were posted under the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine to rural and semi-urban PHCs.
At PHCs, these MD-qualified forensic experts are primarily treating general outpatient cases, conducting antenatal check-ups, and participating in school health screenings — duties typically handled by general practitioners.
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Speaking to the Hindu, a doctor said, “As forensic medicine doctors, we are trained to handle medico-legal cases, conduct autopsies, estimate age, examine accused persons in sexual offence cases, and serve as expert witnesses. But with the special MRB exam (for specialists) scrapped years ago, we had no choice but to join through the MRB exam for assistant surgeons. Most of us had already worked in the government sector as Non-Service Postgraduates (NSPGs) during our bond period, but options that used to be available for absorbing and regularising NSPGs were discontinued.” Several months ago, specialists, including obstetrician-gynaecologists, paediatricians, and anaesthetists—originally recruited through the MRB and assigned to Primary Health Centres (PHCs)—were transferred to government hospitals under the Directorate of Medical and Rural Health Services (DMS).
Speaking to the Hindu, another doctor said, “Even last week, some general medicine and general surgery doctors were moved to DMS institutions through counselling. Nearly 350 doctors have been transferred, but we were left out despite repeated appeals to be posted to medical college hospitals.”
According to official data, there are 265 sanctioned posts in forensic medicine departments across government medical colleges in Tamil Nadu. Of these, over 70 posts remain vacant, even as the need for skilled medico-legal professionals continues to grow.
While 20 in-service forensic doctors are expected to join in October, many posts will still be left unfilled, doctors said.
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Sources said the Health Department could hold counselling to post incoming service doctors and specialist doctors recruited through the 2025 MRB exam, so that the opportunities and seniority of the former remained unaffected and the vacant posts of specialists filled, reports the Hindu. Health officials said they are examining batch-wise lists and reviewing vacancies. A new batch of in-service doctors is expected to complete their course in October.
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