‘A concrete step’: J-K proposes Rs 50 lakh NEET PG bond to improve rural healthcare system

In a bid to improve the healthcare system and address the shortage of trained medical professionals, the Jammu and Kashmir government intends to introduce a two-year mandatory bond of Rs 50 lakh for the National Eligibility Entrance Test - Postgraduate (NEET PG) graduates in the union territory. Under the bond policy, the students who complete their PG course will be required to serve in rural hospitals or pay the bond amount if they choose to opt out.

In an official communication, the J-K medical council said that the health and medical education department intends to introduce a mandatory bond service for MD, MS graduates. Candidates will be required to sign a bond of Rs 50 lakh at the time of admission. The bond policy makes it mandatory for the doctors to serve two years in designated hospitals after completion of their PG course.

“The proposal aims to strengthen the healthcare system, which will ensure their deployment in rural and peripheral hospitals across the UT, thereby addressing the shortage of medical professionals and improving healthcare services,” the department said.

The medical education department discussed the proposal with the finance department which advised it to refer to the guidelines issued by the National Medical Commission (NMC) and build a comparative policy framework.

Doctors hail J-K NEET PG bond proposal

Several healthcare professionals hailed the move, terming it a concrete step in the direction of a better rural healthcare system. A doctor said in a post on X, “Finally, some concrete steps are being taken to introduce Mandatory Bond Service for NEET PG Medical Graduates in J&K.”

A researcher expressed joy over the “intent” and demanded clearance from the cabinet. “Have fiercely advocated for this Bond policy --one of neet pg issues. Good to see 'intent' but it must immediately be cleared by the cabinet since it is a low hanging fruit requiring minor tweaks but of value to our NEET PG warriors,” the PhD scholar wrote.

Explaining how the J-K NEET PG bond service could help the healthcare system and claiming to have fought for the cause, a Kashmiri posted, “I have personally fought for this issue tirelessly, right from day one. Back in December last year, I had already raised it publicly and took it directly to the health minister, highlighting how J&K’s lack of a NEET PG bond policy was hurting our healthcare system. Doctors from outside J&K would earn their degrees here and leave immediately, while our own people were deprived of trained specialists. I made it clear this imbalance had to end.”

Also read Delhi medical colleges implement 1-year mandatory service bond for MBBS, PG students

“Today we see the first small win, the process has started, discussions are happening at the highest level and we are closer than ever to implementation. This is proof that consistent effort and unity can bring real change. The journey is long but together we will achieve everything,” he added.

A GMC Srinagar alumnus praised the move and said, “Though much remains to be done, this is an important first step towards strengthening healthcare in the peripheries,similar to how doctors from J&K pursuing PG outside are also bonded to serve in underserved areas of those states.”