Home / Education / Doctor's Bond Obligation Upheld by High Court
Doctor's Bond Obligation Upheld by High Court
22 Sep
Summary
- Doctors can't skip mandatory government service after subsidized studies.
- Court cited patient access to care as reason for service bonds.
- Court ordered fresh counselling for doctor's posting and service adjustment.
The Allahabad High Court has reinforced the mandatory nature of government service bonds for doctors who pursue postgraduate medical education at subsidized rates in government institutions. A bench ruled that these bonds are essential for ensuring the availability of medical professionals in public hospitals, thereby safeguarding patients' right to life.
The court's decision came while hearing a petition from Dr. Aparupa Sen Gupta, who had completed her MD from SGPGI, Lucknow. She argued that her service bond had lapsed due to the government's delay in providing her with a posting. However, the bench found no provision under Uttar Pradesh law that automatically discharged a doctor from their bond obligation due to administrative delays.
Additionally, the court noted an issue with the counselling process, where the petitioner was seemingly excluded from relevant counselling sessions. The bench directed the Director General, Medical Education and Training, to conduct fresh counselling within four weeks from September 27, 2026. It was also ordered that 89 days of work as a senior resident after a PDCC course be adjusted against her two-year compulsory service bond.
