To Bond or not to Bond: Inordinate delay in formalizing mandatory service bond in J&K
Srinagar, Sep 5: The delay in finalizing the policy for implementing service bonds is raising questions regarding the claims to strengthen healthcare delivery in under-served areas. The proposal, an official said, is yet to be formalized, although its contours were announced earlier this month.
J&K Health & Medical Education (H&ME) Department on August 4, 2025, announced the introduction of a mandatory bond service for NEET PG medical graduates. Seeking comments from the President of the J&K Medical Council, regarding the policy directions from National Medical Commission, the H&ME has sought clarity in a tabular form.
Earlier Minister of Health and Medical Education, Sakina Itoo told Greater Kashmir that the Government was “serious” about implementing the bond. “However, we are waiting for the Finance Department to clear it,” she said. She added the bond was need of the hour in J&K, where rural masses had compromised access to specialized medical services.
In response to the proposal, the Finance Department has written that the NMC has issued uniform policy guidelines,and sought in tabular form how the policy details proposed by J&K Government compare with NMC guidelines, in a tabular format. The President J&K Medical Council has been directed to furnish the requisite details regarding the clauses of the proposed bond.
The clauses require the candidates to sign a bond of Rs 50 lakhs at the time of admission. They will have a mandatory service period of 2 years after completion of the PG Course. If a student opts out of the mandatory service he/she shall have to pay the bond amount. The PG doctors will serve on the pattern of DRP in different health institutions (PHC's CHC/SDHS DHs) as per the requirements of the department. They shall be paid stipend or remuneration as paid to SRs. The annual financial implication per batch for all the 10 GMCs, ASCOMS and SKIMS Soura for 638 PG students @52700 is Rs 40.35 crore.
However, the delay in rollout of this policy could mean another year of and another batch missed. MD/MS admissions for the 2025-26 academic year are set to get completed.
The NMC has recently directed all states and union territories to frame their own policies regarding bond services, after concerns over seat-leaving bonds and their impact on students’ mental health and financial well-being. This directive allows J&K to tailor its approach.
