2356 Faculty Vacancies Across 20 AIIMS lying vacant: Reveals Government data

New Delhi: While the National Medical Commission recently gave a 6-month deadline to fill up vacancies in all medical colleges and institutions, a recent data shared by the government to the parliament revealed a total of 2356 faculty positions lying vacant in 20 functional AIIMS across the country

The data that was shared by the Union Minister of State for Health, Anupriya Patel, in the Rajya Sabha revealed that a total of 19,561 faculty and non-faculty posts at 20 AIIMS and central government institutions are currently lying vacant.

As per the data, across 20 functional AIIMS, a total of 6,297 faculty posts have been sanctioned, out of which 2,356 are currently lying vacant. In the non-faculty category, 58,994 posts have been sanctioned, with 17,205 vacancies, according to the data shared by the minister in the parliament.

The data further reveals that at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal, a total of 1,072 technical posts have been sanctioned, of which 210 are vacant, while 794 non-technical posts have been sanctioned, with 393 lying vacant.

At the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS), Shillong, 661 technical posts have been sanctioned, out of which 155 are vacant, while 1,077 non-technical posts have been sanctioned, with 208 lying vacant.

Meanwhile, at the Regional Institute of Paramedical and Nursing Sciences (RIPANS), Aizawl, 169 technical posts have been sanctioned, of which 117 are lying vacant, while 61 non-technical posts have been sanctioned, with 10 vacancies.

At the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry, 827 technical posts have been sanctioned, of which 233 are vacant, while in the non-technical category, 528 posts have been sanctioned with 136 vacancies.

At the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, a total of 1,674 technical posts have been sanctioned, out of which 493 are vacant, while in the non-technical category, 5,318 posts have been sanctioned, with 1,369 lying vacant.

Similarly, the government also shared details of vacant positions in technical and non-technical posts at Central Government hospitals, i.e. Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital (VMMC & SJH), Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences & Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital (ABVIMS & Dr RMLH), Lady Harding Medical College & Associated Hospitals (LHMC & Associated Hospitals), Rural Health Training Centre (RHTC).

While responding to a parliament member who sought to know the total number of technical and non-technical staff in Centrally managed/operated medical institutes, institution-wise; the number of such positions vacant, institution-wise; and the details of steps taken to fill the vacancies urgently, the Minister stated, "Filling up of vacant posts is an ongoing process. Vacancies are regularly assessed and requisitions are sent to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), National Testing Agency (NTA), Staff Selection Commission (SSC) and other recruiting agencies, as per the requirement of each cadre and sub-cadre."

She further added that the UPSC conducts the Combined Medical Services Examination (CMSE) and interviews for selection to various posts across different sub-cadres. The list of recommended candidates is sent to this Ministry, following which, after completion of requisite formalities, Offer of Appointment letters are issued to the selected candidates with a request to join their respective posts in Central Government hospitals and institutions.

"AIIMS Delhi conducts Nursing Officer Recruitment Common Eligibility Test (NORCET) for recruitment of Nursing Officers and Common Recruitment Examination (CRE) for Group B and C non-faculty positions for all AIIMS. Additionally, various recruitment processes have been undertaken by the health institutions under this Department through UPSC, SSC, INI- CET, etc., for filling up of healthcare positions. Filling of vacancies are also monitored through mission recruitment at the central level," said the Minister.

In the written response, the Minister shared details of sanctioned, filled and vacant faculty and non-faculty posts in functional All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

Details of sanctioned and vacant technical and non-technical posts in three Northeastern Institutes

Details of vacant posts of doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff in Central Government hospitals i.e. Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital (VMMC & SJH), Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences & Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital (ABVIMS & Dr. RMLH), Lady Harding Medical College & Associated Hospitals (LHMC & Associated Hospitals), and Rural Health Training Centre (RHTC).

The Minister further shared the total number of technical, non-technical and vacant positions of staff in Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry and Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh

Also read- How many doctors available in India? Health Ministry gives response

Medical Dialogues had reported that in compliance with the direction passed by Patna High Court, the apex medical council, the National Medical Commission (NMC), asked the Department of Medical Education of all States and Union Territory governments to take immediate steps to fill vacant posts in the medical teaching service. The court has set a targeted timeline of the next six months for the completion of this recruitment process in medical colleges.