HC seeks Centre's reply on 36 percent faculty vacancies at AIIMS Nagpur
Nagpur: The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has sought a detailed explanation from the Central government regarding substantial faculty vacancies at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Nagpur, after multiple recruitment attempts have failed to fulfil the shortfall.
The matter came up before a division bench comprising Justice Anil Kilor and Justice Raj Wakode, hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) registered following a January 2, 2026, media report highlighting widespread vacancies across various AIIMS institutions.
Earlier, Medical Dialogues reported that the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has expressed concern and taken suo motu cognisance after an RTI application revealed that nearly four out of every 10 sanctioned faculty posts (around 40 percent) remain vacant across 11 AIIMS, including AIIMS Nagpur, where 36.7 percent posts remain unfilled, with 137 out of 373 sanctioned posts lying vacant. Observing that this shortage is adversely affecting healthcare delivery and medical education, the bench directed that the issue be registered as a Public Interest Litigation (PIL).
Medical Dialogues on January 2 reported that data obtained from RTI applications revealed that AIIMS Nagpur has around 36.7% vacancies, as 137 out of 373 sanctioned posts are lying vacant. It also revealed that nearly four out of every 10 sanctioned faculty posts (around 40 percent) remain vacant across 11 AIIMS. Therefore, amid the rising patient load, the premier public hospitals across the country are reeling under a shortage of faculty and staff.
According to the reports by the Times of India, the court has now appointed amicus curiae and senior counsel Jugal Kishore Gilda, assisted by advocate Shaunak Kothekar, who informed the bench that the recruitment process at AIIMS Nagpur has been ongoing for nearly one-and-a-half years. According to submissions made before the court, five separate attempts were initiated to fill the posts, yet a substantial number remain vacant. The amicus also flagged broader administrative and operational concerns affecting the institute.
On behalf of the Central government, counsel Mugdha Chandurkar submitted that, in comparison with some other AIIMS institutions, the vacancy situation in Nagpur was relatively less difficult and that several posts had already been filled.
The bench directed that all relevant issues be formally placed on record and has asked the amicus curiae to submit a comprehensive written note within two weeks and granted the Centre three additional weeks thereafter to file its response. The case has been listed for further hearing after three weeks.
