PG seat matrix sparks row: UP resident doctors say Top SR posts missing, allege 'calculated' push to periphery

Referring to the seat matrix, SGPGIMS RDA mentioned in a release, "The Resident Doctors’ Association at Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS) expresses deep concern over the recent Post PG service bond seat matrix released by the Directorate General of Medical Education (DGME), Uttar Pradesh. Analysis reveals a significant discrepancy, with only 10–20% of senior residency positions in top state institutions reflected, omitting the majority without transparency. This exclusion undermines meritocracy and public institutions’ integrity, favouring non-government candidates and restricting opportunities for government-trained doctors."

Meanwhile, the RDA at KGMU expressed deep concern and collective outrage over the seat matrix and mentioned, "It has come to light that a large number of legitimate Senior Residency (SR) seats from premier government institutions like KGMU, SGPGI, RMLIMS, and others have been unjustifiably excluded from the published matrix. In several departments, only 20–30% of the actual available seats have been reflected, while the rest remain hidden without explanation or transparency. This blatant discrepancy not only violates merit and institutional autonomy but also appears to be a calculated attempt to push deserving government doctors toward peripheral postings, while reserving prestigious seats which may be given to candidates from non-government medical colleges through later manipulations."

According to the resident doctors, due to the discrepancies in the seat matrix, the State healthcare system will have to face the following consequences:

Compromised Tertiary Care: RDA SGPGIMS said that excluding trainees from apex teaching hospitals threatens patient care, specialist services, and clinical education. With fewer government-trained residents being posted at apex institutes, the quality of specialist care, teaching, and academic standards will severely deteriorate, argued the resident doctors at KGMU.

Forced Migration: The doctors pointed out how meritorious doctors are pushed to peripheral postings due to manipulated opportunities. Talented doctors from government colleges, including rank-holders, are being pushed into peripheral postings—not by choice, but due to lack of transparent seat availability, said the doctors.

Lack of Fairness and Backdoor Entry: According to the RDA at SGPGIMS, unlisted seats risk arbitrary allocation, bypassing merit and transparency. Meanwhile, the resident doctors at KGMU highlighted the fear that the vacant SR seats in the leading institutes may later be filled through arbitrary or non-merit-based routes, undermining fairness.

Undermining India's Healthcare Infrastructure: RDA KGMU pointed out that by discouraging merit-based placements in referral centers, this process will weaken the backbone of academic medicine and public healthcare, affecting patients across the State. 

Loss of Institute Morale: They also highlighted that the resident doctors who have served institutes like KGMU during difficult times, including the COVID-19 pandemic and multiple healthcare crises, now feel betrayed by a system designed to displace them unfairly.

"This issue is not just about postings; it is about the future of public healthcare, justice for hardworking government doctors, and the sanctity of institutions like KGMU. We urge the state government, DGME, and the public to take note of this gross irregularity. RDA KGMU, in solidarity with resident doctors across the state, is prepared to pursue all legal and democratic avenues to ensure justice prevails," RDA KGMU mentioned in the release.

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