Doctors demand implementation of AIIMS 12-hour day, 48-hour week duty roster
New Delhi: Demanding implementation of the recent order of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) regarding a 12-hour/day and 48-hour/week duty roster for residents, a doctors' body has written to the Director of the institute.
Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that in the OM dated 21.08.2025, AIIMS announced that the resident doctors would get one weekly holiday by rotation, and their duty hours would not normally exceed 12 hours per day. Further, the institute had mentioned that the junior residents should ordinarily work for 48 hours per week and not more than 12 hours at a stretch, subject to the condition that the working hours would be flexible, keeping in view the workload and availability of doctors for clinical work.
Now recently, the president of the United Doctors Front (UDF), Dr. Lakshya Mittal, has urged the institute to implement the order, highlighting the critical importance of this order in addressing the mental health issues, depression, and burnout that long working hours have caused among residents.
"Despite the order being issued, several residents across various AIIMS centers have reported non-implementation, with some fearing punitive actions or discrimination for demanding adherence to the order," UDF mentioned in a release.
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Therefore, UDF has demanded for immediate implementation of the duty hours order across all AIIMS centers. Further, the association has also demanded assurance of protection for residents demanding implementation, ensuring no discrimination or punitive action.
Another demand by the association is for the transparent duty rosters with exact timings and weekly offs to be uploaded on the college website, accurate record-keeping of duty hours and overtime to prevent exploitation, and regular maintenance and sharing of duty statistics with residents.
Further, the UDF President has also demanded strict implementation of one weekly off as per the order and designation of a competent authority to oversee implementation and take punitive action for violations. The letter by Dr. Mittal also suggested creating awareness for new PG students and their parents on duty hour guidelines and grievance redressal mechanisms.
Commenting on the matter, Dr. Lakshya Mittal said, "We believe that the well-being of resident doctors is paramount to providing quality patient care. We urge the AIIMS administration to take immediate action to implement the duty hours order and ensure a safe and healthy work environment for all residents. The UDF awaits a response from the AIIMS administration and is prepared to engage in further discussions to ensure the implementation of the duty hours order."
Meanwhile, the association has also filed a Right to Information (RTI) application with AIIMS seeking details about the duty hour roster for the resident doctors and the AIIMS Academic Section order dated 21.08.2025.
The association has requested the institute to provide the information regarding the officials responsible for implementing the order dated 21.08.2025, and the action taken by them to ensure implementation. Further, the association has demanded information regarding action taken against responsible persons for non-compliance of the order, details of Junior Residents requested/demanded for implementation of AIIMS order and action taken on their requests, etc.
Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that while the AIIMS guidelines for duties/working hours of resident doctors seemed ideal, doctors from the institute and other medical associations have been expressing their doubts regarding the feasibility of implementing such a duty roster.
Earlier, speaking to the Daily, the President of the Resident Doctors' Association of AIIMS Delhi, Dr. Sai Kaustubh, had expressed that it is not possible to implement such a rule with the current strength of residents. According to Dr. Kaustubh, the way forward is to increase the strength of manpower.
Also Read: AIIMS Announces 12-hour a day duty roster: Is it feasible? Here's what doctors say
