Punjab's Bond Policy for MBBS Students opposed, Union Health Minister urged to intervene
Compulsory Service Bond
Ludhiana: Opposing the MBBS bond policy introduced by the Punjab Health Department, the parents of medical aspirants have written to the Union Health Minister J P Nadda and asked the National Medical Commission (NMC) to reconsider the compulsory bond.
Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that in June this year, the Punjab Government introduced a new bond policy for students getting enrolled into the MBBS and BDS courses in the State-run medical and dental colleges to tackle the shortage of doctors in government health institutes.
Under the new bond policy, which will come 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.
The State has made this bond service policy for the students getting admitted under the All-India-Quota as well. However, in their case, the duration of the mandatory service will be 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
However, opposing the bond policy, parents of medical aspirants have written to the Union Health Minister. In their petition to the Health Minister, Dr. Deepak Jangra, along with other parents mentioned, "In 2024 the National Task Force (NTF) formed by the NMC had recommended that such bonds in practice across the country should be revised. They had said that these were brought back when there was shortage of doctors due to less number of medical colleges. But now the situation has changed and the policy needs to be revised."
As per the latest media report by Hindustan Times, the letter to the Union Health Minister quoted the NTF report stating, "Both the compulsory rural service bond and seat leaving bonds should be reconsidered and removed at the earliest."
Dr. Jangra claimed that pursuing MBBS at a government college in Punjab costs around Rs 10 lakh compared to Rs 1.5 lakh in Chandigarh or elsewhere. He asked, "If the students have to pay so much more than the government institutes elsewhere, then why shouldn’t they be allowed the freedom to pursue their careers as they wish instead of being forced to work in government hospitals for two years."
The parents pointed out that the restrictions and financial pressure imposed by such bonds create a punitive environment that detracts students from the overall educational experience. They claimed that instead of investing in institutes to produce more health resources the States tried to compensate with such bonds.
Dr. Jangra pointed out that the State should invest in public health infrastructure to solve the problems instead of burdening students with bonds. He mentioned, "Punjab already has a bond policy for doctors who pursue PG on government quota. This is for the first time that the policy has been extended to MBBS students."
The bond policy has also been challenged before the Punjab and Haryana High Court by the parents of the students who are to join MBBS course this year and those preparing for NEET UG for the next two years.
