Maharashtra Suspends MBBS Bond Rule Linked to PG Admissions

• Mandatory MBBS bond-service requirement for PG medical admissions on hold.
• The 2017 rule requiring service before PG studies was suspended.
• Delay due to limited rural center openings and student concerns.

The Maharashtra government has put the mandatory MBBS bond-service requirement for PG medical admissions on hold until further notice. At present, the state permits MBBS graduates to register for PG courses without fulfilling the bond-service requirement. However, individuals attempting the NEET PG entrance exam for the third time had to finish the internship.

“The 2017 Maharashtra government resolution requiring MBBS graduates to complete their bond service before joining PG courses has been put on hold till further orders,” the official order read.

According to the regulation, candidates cannot be considered for admission to MD, MS, or postgraduate diploma programs unless they have fulfilled the required duration of government bond service during their MBBS studies. “It is hereby informed that the said government order is being suspended till further orders,” the latest notification read.

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Recently, the Association of State Medical Interns (ASMI) Maharashtra, a group of 2019 batch graduates who finished their post-MBBS internships, contacted the state medical education department for clarification regarding the rule. The official response is a reply to the letter.

Because of the restricted number of openings in the rural healthcare centres (RHCs) and primary healthcare centres (PHCs) each month, students nationwide have raised concerns about the mandatory bond-service requirement. Mainly due to significant delays.

Significantly, the Maharashtra mandatory rural bond-service regulation was launched in 2017 for postgraduate courses, encompassing super-specialty programs. Even though the state government declared its implementation starting in the academic year 2019-20, it has yet to be enforced.