Reduce bond service period to one year for PG, super speciality residents and future batches, TNRDA urges government

The Tamil Nadu Resident Doctors Association (TNRDA) has requested the State government to uniformly reduce the compulsory bond service period to one year for postgraduate (degree/diploma) and super speciality residents of the 2021-2025 batches, and to extend the same policy to all future batches in government medical colleges in the State.

In a representation to the Health Secretary, the TNRDA said that the State government, through Government Order 351 dated October 27, 2023, had reduced the bond period to one year for non-service PGs who completed their courses in 2023. As residents across batches undergo identical training, workload, and service responsibilities, continuation of differential bond conditions results in inequity and administrative difficulties, the association stated.

TNRDA added that extended bond periods also contribute to resident burnout and may adversely affect super speciality academic progression and long-term workforce sustainability. A uniform one-year bond with timely postings would be a more balanced and an effective approach to meet service requirements while ensuring resident welfare, the letter said.