Jharkhand initiates process to terminate 631 doctors over prolonged absence

Ranchi: Jharkhand has initiated proceedings that could lead to the termination of 631 doctors over their alleged failure to join government service or prolonged absence from duty. The move follows a review of service records aimed at identifying posts that remain vacant despite earlier recruitment.

The Health Department has identified 695 doctors appointed through the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) between 1988 and 2023 whose service status requires verification. Of these, 631 have been directed to furnish documents confirming that they are still in service within 15 days, while the remaining 64 have been asked to explain their alleged unauthorised absence.

Officials said the largest group of cases involves doctors recruited in 2009, with 308 from that batch reportedly found to have either not reported for duty or remained absent after appointment.

The department will examine the documents and explanations before deciding on further action. Officials indicated that termination proceedings would move forward against doctors who fail to establish their service status or provide satisfactory reasons for their absence. The process will require the prescribed administrative clearances, including approval from the JPSC and the state cabinet, wherever applicable, TOI reported.

The exercise is also expected to help the government establish the actual number of vacant medical posts and plan fresh recruitment. Once the positions are formally vacated, the department intends to seek new appointments through the JPSC to strengthen staffing at government hospitals and health centres, particularly in rural areas.

The state health minister said the government would proceed under the applicable service rules, stressing that doctors who accept appointments but do not join or remain absent without valid reasons would face action.

Jharkhand has taken similar steps previously. In 2025, the state terminated the services of 86 medical officers and 57 specialist doctors who had reportedly failed to join their assigned posts after recruitment through the JPSC.

The latest review seeks to resolve long-pending discrepancies in the department’s service records and improve the availability of doctors across the public healthcare system.