Punjab clarifies on MBBS bond policy: No admission denial over property sureties, allows 4 alternatives
Faridkot: After the concerns raised by students and parents about producing property-based bond sureties for MBBS admission, the Department of Medical Education and Research, Punjab, has issued a clarification regarding the execution of the MBBS bond and providing acceptable alternatives to the students.
Instead of Property-based sureties, the students can also furnish a Bank Guarantee, Government/PSU Employee Surety, Single Solvent Surety, or Education Loan Undertaking.
In a communication dated 26.09.2026, the Principal Secretary of Punjab Medical Education and Research has also announced that no student shall be denied admission solely on the ground of non-availability of property sureties, if they successfully furnish any of the alternatives.
MBBS Bond Service Condition in Punjab:
The Punjab Government introduced the new bond policy for students enrolling in MBBS and BDS courses in State-run medical and dental colleges to tackle the shortage of doctors in government health institutes.
Under the new bond policy, which came into force from the academic session 2025-2026, students getting admitted to government medical/dental institutes will either have to serve in government healthcare facilities for two years after completing their courses or pay a bond penalty of Rs 20 lakh. Even though the State made this bond policy applicable to the All-India-quota students as well, in their case, the duration of mandatory service is limited to one year, instead of two years like the State quota students.
Also Read: Punjab Introduces Rs 20 lakh Bond Policy for MBBS, BDS Admissions
The policy also required government medical college MBBS students to pledge two properties worth Rs 20 lakh as sureties. The State had warned the candidates that they would not be allowed to attend classes if they failed to furnish the bond and the sureties.
However, parents of MBBS aspirants had recently raised concerns highlighting that this requirement for property-based bond sureties could disproportionately affect EWS and lower-middle-income families, as students who qualify for a government seat based on NEET rank and EWS eligibility might not have two separate properties of the prescribed value.
Clarification from Government:
On September 26, 2026, the Department of Medical Education & Research, Punjab issued a clarification in this regard and provided the students with alternatives for property-based sureties.
"In continuation of Government of Punjab, Department of Medical Education & Research notification regarding the Bond Policy for MBBS students admitted under the State Quota/ All India Quota in Government Medical Colleges, it has been brought to notice that certain students and parents/guardians are facing difficulty in producing property-based sureties for execution of the mandatory service bond of *20,00,000/- (Rupees Twenty Lakhs only)," it said, while referring to the concerns raised by students and their parents.
Acceptable Alternatives to Property-Based Surety:
The Government has provided several alternatives to facilitate smooth compliance while ensuring that the Government's interest is adequately secured. In clarified that in lieu of property-based sureties, the following alternatives shall also be accepted by the concerned Government Medical Colleges at the time of admission
1. Bank Guarantee / Fixed Deposit Receipt (FDR)
√ A Bank Guarantee of ₹20,00,000/- valid for a minimum period of 8 years, issued by any scheduled/nationalized bank in favour of the Governor of Punjab; OR
√ A Fixed Deposit Receipt (FDR) of equivalent value lien-marked to the concerned Government Medical College/DMER, Punjab.
2. Government / PSU Employee Surety
√ One or both sureties may be Class-I/Class-II employees of the State/Central Government, PSUs, or Autonomous Bodies.
√ Such sureties shall submit a salary certificate and undertaking prescribed format, in place of property documents.
3. Single Solvent Surety
√ In cases of genuine hardship, acceptance of one solvent surety of sufficient financial standing (Government employee or otherwise) may be permitted in lieu of two sureties.
4. Education Loan Undertaking
√ Where a student has availed an education loan, a certificate/undertaking from the financing bank may be accepted in lieu of property sureties.
No Students to be Denied Admission, Says Govt:
In the communication, the State DMER further directed all the Principals/Directors of Government Medical Colleges to ensure that students are duly informed of the above alternatives at the time of admission.
Further, the State said that the Standard formats for Bank Guarantee, Government Employee Undertaking, and other alternatives shall be circulated separately by this office for uniformity.
The communication also mentioned that "No student shall be denied admission solely on the ground of non-availability of property sureties, provided any of the above alternatives is furnished."
Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that last year, while considering a plea filed by the MBBS aspirants in Punjab, the High Court of Punjab and Haryana had restrained the State from insisting on property sureties from students seeking admission to MBBS courses in government medical colleges. The students had challenged the State's medical education department's decision to ask the students to submit an undertaking with an assurance to serve the State for 2 years or pay a bond penalty.
In its order dated September 19, 2025 the Punjab and Haryana HC observed, "The respondents (state government) shall not insist upon submission of solvency (two properties of ₹20 lakh each) on ₹100 stamp paper, provided the petitioners submit the bond in a specified format."
To view the Govt Clarification, click on the link below:
https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/2026/09/15/punjab-dmer-475648.pdf
