Mark 4 daily face attendance or pay Rs 1,000 penalty: Doctors' body seeks NMC intervention against SAIMS Indore order
Attendance
Indore: Doctors' body has demanded an inquiry by the National Medical Commission (NMC) into the attendance policy, duty hour practices, and penalty system at Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences (SAIMS), Indore, after the medical college recently issued a circular asking the postgraduate medical students in the clinical and non-clinical departments to mark daily face attendance.
While the students in the clinical departments have been asked to mark their attendance four times a day, the students in the non-clinical branches have to mark their face attendance thrice a day. The medical college has also warned to impose a Rs 1000 penalty for each missed attendance.
"For the smooth functioning of the Hospital and to optimize patient care, all 1st Year (2025 Batch) and 2nd Year (2024 Batch) Postgraduate students of the following departments are hereby informed that attendance will be monitored through SARAL Face attendance machines installed on the Third and Fourth Floor. This is for PG students' convenience. It will be effective from 01 May 2026," read the circular issued by the medical college on 27.04.2026.
The medical college directed the resident doctors from the clinical departments to mark their attendance four times daily- once in the morning between 6 AM and 8 AM, once in the afternoon between 1 PM- 2 PM, once in the evening between 4 PM-5 PM, and once in the night between 9 PM- 9:30 PM.
However, the students in the non-clinical departments have been asked to mark their attendance only thrice a day- once in the morning, once in the afternoon and once in the night (4 PM-5 PM). The circular also mentions the location where the students need to mark their attendance.
"Sunday attendance (Morning & Evening) will continue as per the previous schedule. Your availability in the Hospital will benefit patient care and quality of service. Kindly ensure your co-operation," the circular further mentioned.
Allegedly, the first and second year PG residents have been asked to mandatorily follow this rule and the Head of the Departments have been asked to ensure 100% compliance in this regard.
The institute allegedly has further warned that "A penalty of Rs. 1000/- will be levied for each missed attendance and will be applicable from the month of July 2026 onwards. The Heads of Departments along with PG Residents will be called for a review regarding the current status of Face Attendance of their PGs once the data is ready."
Sharing the circular and the other communication issued by the college, an X user wrote, "In sri aurobindo medical college they are asking to do 4 punches in very narrow time period despite 36hrs continuous duties otherwise they are cutting 1k from stipend. Despite complaint to@NMC_BHARAT no action."
NMC Intervention sought:
The Doctors under the United Doctors Front (UDF) have questioned the circular, pointing out that it comes amid repeated reports from residents of 36-70 hours of extended duties, sleep deprivation, lack of time for rest, senior toxicity, and mental health distress.
"Official circular from Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences, Indore mandates 4 daily face attendances for 1st & 2nd year PG residents via SARAL machines — narrow windows from 06:00 AM to 09:30 PM — with ₹1,000 penalty per missed attendance from July 2026. This comes amid repeated reports from residents (including Orthopaedics) of 36–70+ hour extended duties, sleep deprivation, no time for basic meals, senior toxicity, and mental health distress — with some even leaving their seats," the association mentioned in an X post.
The association argued that such a regime raises serious questions about compliance with the residency scheme’s intent- humane training conditions focused on learning and patient safety, not punitive monitoring and financial penalties.
Extending solidarity and support to the affected resident doctors, the association has demanded an immediate NMC inquiry into the attendance policy, duty hour practices, and penalty system at SAIMS Indore.
Further, the association has demanded that the authorities review whether these measures align with PG medical education guidelines and resident welfare norms, and ensure protection of residents from arbitrary deductions during training.
"Exhausted doctors cannot deliver safe patient care. This requires urgent attention," the X post by UDF further added.
