Rajasthan Government Implements Strict Bank Guarantee Policy for Medical Professionals
The Rajasthan government has introduced a stringent new policy requiring doctors from government medical colleges to submit a Rs 25 lakh bank guarantee when joining super-specialty DM or MCh courses through the NEET-SS entrance examination. This measure is designed to ensure these medical professionals return to complete a mandatory two-year service period in state-run hospitals after their specialized training concludes.
Retroactive Application and Expanded Scope
Significantly, this bank guarantee requirement will apply retrospectively to the 2025-2026 batch of students enrolled in super-specialty courses across Rajasthan. The order, formally issued by the state's medical education department in Jaipur under the Broad Speciality Bond Service Policy, represents a comprehensive effort to retain qualified doctors within the government healthcare system and align with National Medical Commission standards.
The policy also extends to candidates selected for senior residency positions at prestigious national institutes, including premier institutions like AIIMS, PGI Chandigarh, and JIPMER. For these individuals, permission to join will only be granted after submitting a bank guarantee equivalent to the bond amount, ensuring their eventual service commitment to Rajasthan's public health infrastructure.
Transition from Previous Bond System
Previously, no bank guarantee was mandated under the existing framework. Currently, postgraduate and super-specialty students in government and RAJMES medical colleges are already bound by a Rs 25 lakh bond requiring two years of service in state hospitals post-graduation. The new policy introduces an additional financial safeguard specifically for those advancing to super-specialty training.
Under the revised regulations, if a postgraduate student secures admission to a super-specialty course, the state may permit enrollment only after a bank guarantee matching the bond amount is secured through the relevant medical college. Following completion of the super-specialty program, the doctor must then fulfill the two-year government service obligation.
Document Release and Financial Implications
For candidates admitted to super-specialty courses or fellowships at elite institutions that require original academic documents, the state has outlined a provisional release process. Documents may be released for one month based on a formal undertaking; however, permanent release will only occur after the bank guarantee is formally obtained upon the candidate's joining.
Beyond the immediate Rs 25 lakh guarantee, the medical education department has proposed increasing the bond amount to as high as Rs 1.5 crore, depending on the medical specialty. This potential escalation has sparked strong opposition from resident doctors' associations, who argue it creates an insurmountable financial barrier for many young medical professionals.
Resident Doctors Voice Concerns
The Jaipur Association of Resident Doctors has expressed significant reservations about the policy's cumulative impact. JARD highlights that the bank guarantee effectively requires a fixed deposit-backed financial commitment that many early-career doctors cannot afford. Furthermore, they object to the compounded service burden: two years after MD/MS plus an additional two years after DM/MCh, totaling approximately four years of compulsory government service.
Rajpal Meena, President of JARD, stated, "This policy disproportionately affects doctors who completed their MD/MS from Rajasthan government medical colleges and subsequently secured DM/MCh seats through NEET-SS." He emphasized that the proposed increase to up to Rs 1.5 crore represents a severe financial obstacle that could deter doctors from pursuing advanced super-specialty training altogether.
Government Rationale and NMC Alignment
A senior official from the medical education department clarified that the policy is directly linked to the National Medical Commission's 2025 Teacher Eligibility Qualification Exchange regulations. These guidelines mandate senior residency as a prerequisite for faculty appointments in medical colleges nationwide.
The official explained, "The bank guarantee mechanism ensures that doctors specializing in high-demand fields such as radiology fulfill their two-year service obligation in government hospitals, thereby meeting NMC standards and addressing critical staffing shortages in the public health sector." This strategic move aims to bolster Rajasthan's healthcare workforce while complying with evolving national medical education frameworks.
