In a letter addressed to Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, United Doctors Front (UDF) Chairperson Dr. Lakshya Mittal has urged the minister to take proactive steps to ensure the rollout of Rotatory Headship in these institutions without delay. He said that the demand raised by the faculty members of both the institutes reflects a long-overdue shift towards democratization and transparency in medical education.
Dr Mittal also stated that the model of rotating departmental leadership has already found successful implementation in esteemed institutions like IITs, IIMs, JIPMER, and GMC Vellore, and is globally recognised in top universities, including Oxford and Harvard.
The Rotatory Headship model aims to open equal opportunity for faculty members to serve in leadership roles, greater accountability and transparency in departmental functioning, prevent favouritism and stagnation of leadership across institutions and encourage the generation of innovation and diverse leadership styles.
"UDF believes that timely implementation of this reform—already recommended by internal committees and endorsed by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare—will not only enhance governance standards but also boost institutional morale and academic output. As a national medical advocacy organization dedicated to systemic reforms, we urge the Ministry to take proactive steps to ensure the rollout of Rotatory Headship in these institutions without delay. We remain committed to lending our full support to the medical fraternity and look forward to your leadership in fostering a transparent and knowledge-driven academic environment," the letter reads.
Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that for more than a decade, the Faculty Association of PGIMER (FA-PGIMER) and the Faculty Association of AIIMS Delhi have been demanding a fixed-term, rotatory headship system at the institute. Countless committees were formed by the Centre in this regard in the past, and almost every panel has recommended its implementation in principle.
Back then, the Ministry had ordered to have a collegium system at these two institutes to take a final call over the rotatory headship issue after one year, i.e. in 2024. Based on the Ministry order, PGIMER had implemented the collegium system in 2023.
Medical Dialogues had also reported that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare called a meeting to discuss the prolonged delay in implementing the promised rotatory headship system at AIIMS and PGIMER.
The meeting was scheduled with a high-level committee led by Dr VK Paul of NITI Aayog to discuss the matter. The panel, which also includes former AIIMS director Dr MC Mishra and renowned cardiologist Dr KK Talwar, was formed in 2023 to oversee the rollout of the rotation policy at the country’s top medical institutions.
The matter also witnessed a joint relay hunger strike from June 1 by faculty members from two of India's premier medical institutes - All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi and Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh. They protested against the government’s delay in implementing rotatory headship and collegium-based leadership.
Also read- Demanding rotatory headship policy, AIIMS, PGI Chandigarh Faculty begin hunger strike
Disclaimer: This website is primarily for healthcare professionals. The content here does not replace medical advice and should not be used as medical, diagnostic, endorsement, treatment, or prescription advice. Medical science evolves rapidly, and we strive to keep our information current. If you find any discrepancies, please contact us at corrections@medicaldialogues.in. Read our Correction Policy here. Nothing here should be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not endorse any healthcare advice that contradicts a physician's guidance. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Advertisement Policy. For more details, read our Full Disclaimer here.
NOTE: Join us in combating medical misinformation. If you encounter a questionable health, medical, or medical education claim, email us at factcheck@medicaldialogues.in for evaluation.