The Delhi government has enacted a one-year mandatory service bond for medical graduates from all-India and state quota seats, requiring them to work in government medical institutions in the National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD). Failure to fulfill this obligation will result in hefty fines—Rs 15 lakh for undergraduates and Rs 20 lakh for postgraduates.
This policy has met with strong backlash from the medical community, which labels it as draconian and an infringement on professional rights. Critics argue that the bond system unfairly targets medical graduates while graduates from other prestigious universities, such as Delhi University and IIT Delhi, face no similar obligations.
Opposition from Medical Associations: Organizations like the United Doctors Front Association (UDFA) condemn the bond as exploitative, asserting that it constitutes bonded labour and a human rights violation
Similar bonds in other states, like Andhra Pradesh’s Rs 40 lakh penalty, reveal disparities in regulations across India. As the National Medical Commission (NMC) seeks to abolish such bonds nationally, Delhi’s policy is seen as regressive.
In summary, the mandatory service bond has ignited significant debate regarding the rights of medical graduates and its implications for India’s healthcare system, questioning government policies, professional autonomy, and the future of medical education.