After protests by bonded MBBS doctors, Gujarat opens medical officer choice filling to all 3,336 eligible candidates

Ahmedabad: Following protests by bonded MBBS doctors from the 2020 batch, the Gujarat Government has withdrawn its earlier restricted choice-filling process for Class-2 medical officer recruitment and decided to allow all 3,336 eligible candidates to participate.

The Health Department had initially invited choice filling for 1,492 vacant Class-2 medical officer posts. However, only a limited number of candidates from the merit list were allowed to take part in the process, leaving out many other eligible bonded doctors.

This triggered anger among the bonded doctors who alleged that the process was unfair and lacked transparency. They claimed that more than half of the eligible candidates were excluded despite meeting the required criteria.

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To voice their concerns, the doctors submitted representations to the State Health Minister and senior government officials, requesting the government to review the decision. They also pointed out that the move could hurt both rural healthcare services and their preparation for the NEET PG examination scheduled for August 30.

After reviewing the issue, the Gujarat Government cancelled the earlier choice-filling process and decided to reopen it for all 3,336 eligible bonded MBBS doctors based on the complete merit list.

The online choice-filling window has been reopened and will remain active till July 16.

Speaking to TOI, Officials stated that the revised system aims to maintain fairness and merit-based allocation while also ensuring that healthcare services, especially in rural areas, are not adversely affected.

Prior to this, the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Gujarat State Branch, in a letter to the Gujarat Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare and Medical Education, Praful Pansheriya, on July 10, 2026, demanded the timely posting of bonded MBBS doctors.

It highlighted that many young doctors remain unemployed for months after completing their MBBS course and compulsory internship while waiting for official government posting orders. The association said the delays are causing unnecessary financial loss, loss of valuable service time, delayed career progression and professional uncertainty for doctors who are willing and obligated to serve under the bond policy.

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