After Maharashtra scraps MBBS service bond, Gujarat begins policy review
Gandhinagar: After the Maharashtra government abolished the mandatory one-year service bond for MBBS doctors, the Gujarat government has begun reviewing its own compulsory bond service policy for students graduating from government medical colleges.
The state health department has started consultations on possible reforms, with the government saying it is also open to adopting Maharashtra's model if it is found suitable for Gujarat.
At present, MBBS graduates from government medical colleges in Gujarat are required to complete one year of compulsory government service, usually in rural or underserved public health facilities. Those who choose not to serve must pay a bond amount of Rs 20 lakh.
The bond amount is Rs 40 lakh for postgraduate medical students (MD/MS/DNB) and Rs 50 lakh for super-specialty students (DM/MCh/DrNB-SS).
Minister of State for Health Praful Pansheriya said the government has initiated a process to improve and revise the existing bond system. He said the health department has been asked to carry out a detailed study before a final decision is taken.
"We have started the process of reviewing how the bond system can be improved. I have directed the secretary to study the issue and consult students as well as other stakeholders. Govt will take a decision on the matter soon," Pansheriya told TOI.
When asked whether Gujarat could follow Maharashtra's decision to remove the compulsory bond, the minister said, "We are open to following the Maharashtra model as well if it suits Gujarat. We will take a decision keeping in mind the best interests of both students and society."
Medical Dialogues recently reported that with the number of MBBS graduates rising sharply over the years and government bond postings failing to keep pace, the Maharashtra Medical Education and Drugs Department in its July 23, 2026 Government Resolution (GR) abolished the mandatory one-year bond service required after completion of the MBBS course.
Under the new rules, no new MBBS bond postings will be allotted. Candidates who were eligible for bond service but had not yet been allotted a posting, or could not complete the service for any reason, will no longer be required to undertake the service afresh or complete the remaining period.
However, candidates whose bond service is already in progress must complete the remaining period. Similarly, those who had been allotted a posting through the online portal and had already joined before the government's decision came into force will also have to complete their service.
On the other hand, candidates who had been allotted a posting but had not yet joined their assigned place of service will not be required to complete the bond service.
Also read- Maharashtra abolishes mandatory 1 year MBBS bond service
Bond service in Gujarat
The issue has remained a matter of debate in the state for several years.
Former state health minister Rushikesh Patel said in Feb 2024 that Rs 671 crore was collected from MBBS doctors who did not wish to serve for one year in rural areas after completing their education. He added that Rs 270 crore was still to be recovered from such doctors.
The proposed review has been welcomed by the medical fraternity; with the majority of the doctors paying the bond money instead of serving in the rural areas, this will lead to a better way to engage the young doctors.
Previously, the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Gujarat State Branch, in a letter to the Gujarat Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare and Medical Education, Praful Pansheriya, on July 10, 2026, demanded the timely posting of bonded MBBS doctors.
It highlighted that many young doctors remain unemployed for months after completing their MBBS course and compulsory internship while waiting for official government posting orders. The association said the delays were causing unnecessary financial loss, loss of valuable service time, delayed career progression and professional uncertainty for doctors who are willing and obligated to serve under the bond policy.
