One-year Rural Service now mandatory for ALL MBBS graduates in Karnataka

As per a recent media report by the Times of India, this year, the rural service would not be limited to the Government quota students only. Private, Management and NRI quota MBBS graduates would also need to complete the rural service in order to get back their original documents submitted at the time of admission. They would also receive the Karnataka Medical Council (KMC) registration upon the completion of the 1-year mandatory rural service only.

In case the medicos opt for higher studies, they would have to serve later and meanwhile submit a bond for Rs 30 lakh to Rs 50 lakh.

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As per the latest media report by the Times of India, the one-year-service bond is not new in Karnataka. It has existed since 2012, but there has not been any strict enforcement of the same so far. Until now, the MBBS graduates would file an affidavit before the KMC and state that they would return and complete the mandatory Government service later. KMC would give them their registration on the basis of such affidavits.

The scenario is a bit different this year as fresh MBBS graduates are not being provided with a KMC registration certificate. Speaking about the issue, President of KMC, Dr. H Veerabhadrappa told the daily, "The matter is before the government. MBBS graduates will have to complete the one-year government training service before seeking the registration."

Meanwhile, the director of medical education, Dr. PG Girish has sent a letter to all government and private medical colleges in the State and has asked them not to release the original documents to the MBBS graduates or students who have completed their Post-graduation degrees or diplomas.

Quoting the Karnataka Compulsory Service Training by Candidates Completed Medical Courses Act, 2012, the letter stated, "You are requested not to release original documents unless you receive NOC/instructions to release the documents collected at the time of admission, from this office. This may be scrupulously followed."

However, PG Girish has further mentioned the lack of clarity regarding the enforcement of rural service upon MBBS graduates pursuing their education from private universities. While commenting on the same, he told the daily, "We've asked private and government medical colleges to send the list of graduating MBBS students. We will share data with the health department, which will issue appointment letters via counseling."

The news has been making rounds on Twitter and users have been commenting on the same. One such user has expressed his doubt regarding the scenario saying, "Most of them will pay the penalty and will rush to prepare for the NEET PG and there will be not enough seats available in PG and the cycle repeats so this rural service and all is just on the paper's, I am not considering the few exceptional cases though."