MBBS seat: Punjab makes parents pledge Rs 40 lakh property, IMA says ‘rollback new rule immediately’

While the rule was notified ahead of the admission process in June this year, what has now added to the worries of parents is the format in which this surety is being taken.

Parents have been mandated to pledge their two properties/chunks of land as sureties, worth at least Rs 20 lakh each, means they have to pledge two properties worth Rs 40 lakh. Parents, especially those who do own two properties/lands and those who are not into farming, are struggling to fulfil the stringent condition.

The policy is applicable at Government Medical College in Amritsar, Patiala, Mohali and Guru Gobind Singh Medical College, Faridkot, apart from other government owned dental colleges.

The medical colleges have already started issuing notices that students who fail to fulfil the condition won’t be allowed to attend classes. In a notice issued Wednesday, Guru Gobind Singh Medical College, Faridkot, has stated that classes for MBBS students who have been selected in first round of counselling will commence from September 24, and students have been instructed to submit the requisite bond by September 19. The notice adds that students who fail to submit the bond, won’t be allowed to attend classes.

Similarly, Government Medical College, Patiala, has set September 20 as deadline to submit the bond.

Demanding immediate rollback of the rule, the IMA, Punjab chapter, in a statement issued Thursday, said, “This regressive and punitive measure, which includes a mandatory service bond of up to two years or a penalty of Rs 20 lakh, coupled with the insistence on property-based sureties, is unacceptable and must be withdrawn immediately. The policy has created immense financial and mental distress for students and their families, particularly those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. It is a move that threatens to dismantle the aspirations of thousands of aspiring doctors who have worked tirelessly to secure a seat in government medical colleges.”

Punjab IMA president Dr Vikas Chhabra said, “The Rs 20 lakh penalty, along with the recent annual fee hikes, places an exorbitant financial burden on students. It contradicts the very purpose of government medical colleges, which is to provide affordable and accessible medical education. How a person with middle and lower socio-economic status can give two sureties of Rs 20 lakh each for one child and even for most of the people who have two children and are dreaming of making them doctors, it will not be possible for them to arrange four sureties for 2 children.”

Calling it an ineffective solution to address the problem of shortage of doctors in government hospitals, the IMA statement further says: “Forcing graduates into mandatory government service for a meagre stipend, which is significantly lower than in neighbouring states, is tantamount to bonded labour. This exploitative practice not only devalues the years of hard work and sacrifice required to become a doctor but also makes a mockery of public service. The stringent conditions, including mandatory property sureties, are likely to dissuade top-ranking students from choosing Punjab’s medical colleges. This could lead to a brain drain.”

A parent whose child has been selected in counselling in a government medical college, said, “They are asking us to pledge two properties. I am a government teacher, how can I arrange for that? And since I don’t own properties, my child can’t be a doctor?’

Meanwhile, principals of medical colleges have clarified that they cannot relax the rule and have to implement the order.

Dr RPS Sibia, principal, Government Medical College, Patiala, said the college was only implementing directions received from the Directorate of Research and Medical Education (DRME), Punjab. “We have extended the deadline for submitting the sureties to September 26,” he said.

Dr Avnish Kumar, director, DRME Punjab, said, “While I have to check the details of the bond, we are here to help the needy students. Any student who cannot fulfil the conditions due to financial constraints can write to us and we will relax the condition,” he said.

After the Punjab government’s Rs 20 lakh service bond policy for MBBS students was notified in June this year, there were massive protests. The policy would apply for the admissions beginning this session (2025-26).

Punjab health minister Dr Balbir Singh had defended the government’s move citing shortage of doctors in government hospitals, especially rural areas.

“Punjab needs doctors, especially in rural regions. We have been advertising for positions, but many MBBS graduates leave the government sector after just a few months. This bond policy will ensure that graduates serve for at least two years. They are studying with taxpayer money and it is their responsibility to contribute to society,” he had said.

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