Chhattisgarh High Court Criticizes Delays in Mental Health Recruitment
The Chhattisgarh High Court has issued a strong observation regarding the ongoing delays in filling specialized positions, particularly in the critical field of mental healthcare. The court emphasized that such prolonged pendency in recruitment processes causes serious prejudice to the general public, undermining essential health services.
Judicial Bench and Hearing Details
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Ravindra Kumar Agrawal presided over the hearing on March 24, addressing a matter concerning vacancies within the state health department. The bench explicitly stated that seeking additional time on procedural grounds in these circumstances does not appear justified, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
"This court expects and trusts that the state shall make earnest efforts to complete the recruitment process for the post of MD Psychiatrist at the earliest and avoid any unwarranted delay," the Bench asserted, underscoring the need for prompt action.
Background and Recruitment Steps
Following earlier court directions issued on February 4, 2026, the secretary of the health and family welfare department submitted a fresh affidavit on March 23. This document revealed that no candidates were selected for psychiatrist positions after an advertisement was released on April 22, 2025, prompting the initiation of fresh recruitment steps.
A proposal to recruit six MD Psychiatrists through the Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission (CGPSC) was forwarded on March 5, 2026. Currently, the matter is with the Administrative Department, awaiting financial approval to proceed further.
Challenges in Specialist Availability
The state government highlighted a significant challenge: the limited postgraduate intake at Pt JNM Medical College in Raipur, which offers only three seats for MD Psychiatry. This restriction severely limits the pool of eligible specialists available for recruitment, exacerbating the vacancy issue.
To mitigate this shortage, the government is enforcing the Chhattisgarh Medical Post-Graduate Admission Rules, 2025. These rules require candidates to serve the state for two years post-graduation or pay a bond of Rs 50 lakh for unreserved categories and Rs 40 lakh for reserved categories. So far, two doctors have joined duties under this bond scheme.
Legal Arguments and Procedural Hurdles
During the proceedings, amicus curiae Abhishek Sinha argued that seeking fresh financial sanction for the same posts unnecessarily prolongs the recruitment process, creating bureaucratic delays. In response, the additional advocate general clarified that such approvals are a standard procedural requirement for every new recruitment cycle, intended to ensure compliance with financial regulations.
The court noted that since financial approval had been granted previously for similar posts, seeking it again should be treated as a mere formality rather than a significant obstacle. "The process must proceed with due expedition," the bench emphasized, urging efficiency in administrative actions.
Court Directives and Future Steps
In its ruling, the court directed the health secretary to file a further affidavit providing an updated status report on the recruitment process. This move aims to maintain transparency and accountability, ensuring that the state government adheres to the court's directives and accelerates efforts to fill these crucial positions.
The judicial intervention underscores the broader public health implications of delayed recruitment in specialized fields like mental healthcare, where timely staffing is essential for effective service delivery and community well-being.
