Tamil Nadu implements one-year bond for non-service postgraduates; seeks termination proposals

NEW DELHI: The Tamil Nadu government has implemented the decision reducing the bond period for the non-service postgraduates (NSPGs) in state medical colleges from two years to one year, a TN doctors’ body said and urged all the postgraduates to file applications for relieving.

Revising the bond requirement for non-service postgraduate medical students who completed their PG or diploma programmes in 2023, the health department reduced the bond service period to one year (from the date of joining the service) and cut the bond amount by half, from Rs 40 lakh to Rs 20 lakh for PG degrees and from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 10 lakh for diploma. However, the government will review and consider the two-year bond condition every year and take a decision based on the need and availability of vacancies.

The decision was taken on the basis of suggestions of a committee formed after the Madras High Court recommended the Directorate of Medical Education to review the bond conditions for NSPGs. Besides reduction of bond period and amount, the panel in a meeting also suggested posting the PG doctors in the same specialty and releasing their original certificates in case of delay in posting order.

“The Tamil Nadu Resident Doctors Association (TNRDA) is proud to announce the successful implementation of the Government Order (GO), reducing the bond period for Non-Service Postgraduates (NSPGs) of the 2023 batch from 2 years to 1 year. This monumental achievement, brought to fruition through the persistent efforts and advocacy of TNRDA, stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to the welfare of our postgraduate doctors,” the association said.

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Tamil Nadu PG bond policy

As per the directions issued by the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine (DPH), Directorate of Medical Services (DMS), and Directorate of Medical Education (DME), eligible NSPGs who have completed their postgraduate programmes last year and served the one-year bond period are entitled to immediate termination from service.

The doctors’ group urged the NSPGs to submit a formal request for relieving to their respective district authorities or deans through letter or email by attaching the official GO and other supporting documents. Students are advised to ensure that they mention their date of joining the bond service and the expected date of relieving.

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The state government has sought termination proposals of the eligible NSPs. “Copy of the reference 3rd cited is enclosed herewith and the Joint Director of Health Services concerned are requested to send immediately the termination proposals of the NSPGs (2023 batch) those who were appointed and posted as Assistant Surgeon under rule 19(1) and completed one year of bond service for onward transmission to the Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Chennai-6, so as to enable to terminate them from service,” the latest government order read.

TNRDA iterated that students need not wait for a separate termination or relieving order, as the GO itself provides sufficient authority for their immediate release upon fulfilling the one-year bond service. It strongly encouraged all NSPGs to take collective action, ensure proper documentation, and proceed uniformly to avoid unnecessary delays.