PwD medico at JNMC AMU alleges toxicity, excessive duty hours, govt steps in after UDF flags issue

New Delhi: The Union Government has taken cognisance of the allegations of excessive duty hours and discrimination faced by a female PwD medical student at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, AMU, Aligarh.

The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, under the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, took note of the issue after receiving a representation in this regard from the Union Doctors Front (UDF). The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has now forwarded the matter to the Union Education Ministry and the Union Health Ministry for consideration and appropriate action.

In an Office Memorandum dated 12.11.2025, the Ministry mentioned, "The undersigned is directed to forward herewith a representation dated 10.11.2025 received from United Doctors Front (UDF) regarding alleged discrimination, harassment, and excessive duty hours being imposed upon Dr. **** (JR-1) and other similarly placed PwD medical students atjawaharlal Nehru Medical College UNMC), AMU, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh. The said matter was earlier forwarded to M/o Health and Family Welfare (copy enclosed)."

"As there is no resolution in the matter so far, the UDF has again represented for appropriate intervention...Since, the student welfare is a subject matter of M/o Education, the representation is forwarded herewith for consideration and action as deemed appropriate," it further added.

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The association on 10.11.2025 had written to the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, for intervention to address unauthorised excessive duty hours and discrimination faced by the concerned JR 1 doctor.

Earlier the issue was raised by the association back in June, and back then, the Department had issued an Office Memorandum on 02.07.2025. "Despite this, PwD category medical students at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, AMU, Aligarh are suffering from long duty hours, toxicity and discrimination. There is no defined protocol to identify the specific needs of the PwD candidates as per section 15 and 16 of the RPwD Act 2016 and the students are forced to perform such tasks which are beyond their capacity due to their differently able nature," UDF mentioned in its recent representation on 10.11.2025.

"In such condition, Dr. ***, JR-1, Dept of Medicine is suffering since her joining in Feb 2025. She has been facing consistent toxicity of every form, and assigned 24 hours duty multiple times. This caused a toe ulcer and destroyed her health to a considerable extent. Her father is no more and she wish to serve the Nation as a compassionate doctor to fulfil the dream of her passed away father. But due to long duty hours and discrimination, she may compelled to leave the seat which may further harm her mental health too and it may cause depression of any self-harm," the association further mentioned.

Therefore, the Association urged the Department to instruct JNMC, AMU, Aligarh to comply with the Office Memorandum dated 02.07.25 and provide her all entitlements as per Section 15 and 16 of RPwD act 2016. The association has also demanded fixed and rational duty hours and mandated week off as per residency scheme 1992 for the concerned doctor and other PwD medical students.

"In case of she resigns due to denial of her legal rights, exploitation and humiliation, the college shall not accept it and rather provide her the appropriate right as well counselling support to enable her to complete her the residency. If the resignation is accepted, it may further harm her to any extent and the college authorities shall be responsible for any mishappening," it said.

"Dr. **** have already done too much extra hours duty in every month since her joining whereas norms suggest only 192 hours a month and it badly affected her health compelling to get casual/sick leave. We request you to do the needful to ensure that college adjusts her excess duty hours for her leaves and enable her to continue the be promoted to JR-2," UDF further demanded.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the doctors under the United Doctors' Front (UDF) had filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court against the "inhumane working hours of resident doctors". The association challenged the "exploitative and unconstitutional working conditions imposed on resident doctors across the country".