AIIMS, PGI Chandigarh Faculty on black badge Protest over Delay in Rotatory Headship Policy

New Delhi: In a unified stand for academic reform, the faculty bodies of two of India’s premier medical institutions—AIIMS New Delhi and PGIMER Chandigarh—have voiced strong discontent over the prolonged delay in implementing the promised rotatory headship system. In a joint letter addressed to Union Health Minister JP Nadda, the Faculty Association of AIIMS (FAIMS) and the Faculty Association of PGIMER have announced the launch of a month-long black badge campaign starting from today, May 1, 2025, to protest the inaction.

Despite a 2023 assurance from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare that the rotatory headship system would be operational by June 2024, the faculty associations allege that no concrete steps have been taken. Highlighting the absence of dialogue with the Minister’s office and growing frustration among faculty members, both associations reaffirmed that implementing a rotatory and collegium-based structure is crucial for fair, transparent, and democratic academic governance.

As per a recent ANI report, the representatives of the Faculty Association of AIIMS (FAIMS) New Delhi, and the Faculty Association of Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER) Chandigarh, have written to Union Health Minister JP Nadda, expressing their collective concern over the prolonged delay in implementing the rotatory headship policy at the premier institutions--AIIMS New Delhi and PGIMER Chandigarh. 

Due to the inaction in implementation and lack of communication, the two faculty associations have decided to launch a black badge campaign starting May 1, 2025, as a peaceful and symbolic form of protest.

"In view of the Ministry's continued inaction, and as previously resolved, we are now compelled to express our dissent through peaceful and symbolic protest. A Black Badge Campaign will begin on 1st May 2025 and continue through the entire month of May," the associations said in a joint letter, quotes ANI

Also Read:AIIMS, PGI Chandigarh Faculty threaten Protest over Delay in Rotatory Headship Policy implementation

In the letter, they mentioned the official communication regarding the implementation of the rotatory headship system in both the Institutes by 2024. "As you are aware, in 2023, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare officially communicated that the rotatory headship system would be implemented in both institutions by June 2024. Despite this clear assurance, nearly a year has passed, and no concrete action has been taken," the letter stated.

"Multiple rounds of dialogue with Ministry officials have taken place. However, to our deep disappointment, neither of our faculty associations has been granted an audience with your esteemed office, and the matter continues to be deferred without resolution." Reads letter "Following unanimous resolutions in our respective General Body Meetings--held on 16th April 2025 (AIIMS New Delhi) and 17th April 2025 (PGIMER Chandigarh)--we reaffirm that the rotatory headship system, along with a collegium- based structure, is essential to ensure fairness, transparency, and democratic leadership in academic governance," the letter added, adds ANI

"If the issue remains unaddressed, further actions will follow in June 2025. Escalated forms of protest will be considered from July 2025 onwards if our demands remain unmet," the associations concluded in their letter.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the faculty associations of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi and Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) have been demanding rotatory headship for more than a decade now. Countless committees have been formed by the Centre in this regard in the past and almost every panel has recommended its implementation in principle. Of the many committees so far on this issue, one was formed under the chairmanship of Professor V K Bahl, former dean of the AIIMS, to give suggestions on how to implement it. The committee has submitted its report after due consideration and consultation, the statement said. The implementation and modalities of this administrative reform have been discussed deeply and for long and now, it is only left to be implemented.

Expressing their anguish over the delay in the implementation of the 'Rotation of Headship' policy at AIIMS, the Faculty Association of the Institute had written to the Director of the Institute Prof M Srinivas and threatened to go on a protest if the rotatory headship' is not implemented in the institute immediately.

The FAIMS general body had said that implementing this policy is essential for transparency and accountability in the governance of the institute.

In 2023, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, formally communicated that the rotatory headship policy would be implemented in AIIMS Delhi and PGI Chandigarh from June 2024.

Both associations had earlier resolved to issue a 14-day deadline from April 17 for the policy to be implemented. If no progress is made, a phased protest will begin from May 1, the associations had stated. 

In the first month, doctors would hold a Black Badge protest, followed by a Relay Hunger protest in the second month. As mentioned in the statement, escalated protest actions will be taken up if the demands remain unanswered, they had said.

Also Read:PGI Chandigarh to Take Decision soon on Implementation of Rotatory Headship