Haryana's latest recruitment drive for medical officer positions has witnessed an unprecedented surge in applications, with nearly 12,000 MBBS graduates and students vying for just 450 available posts. This remarkable response represents a significant 50 percent increase compared to the previous year's recruitment cycle, highlighting the growing interest in government medical services in the state.
Overwhelming Response to Medical Officer Recruitment
The Haryana Civil Medical Services (HCMS) recruitment has attracted applications from mostly MBBS degree holders and those currently pursuing their medical qualifications. Dr. Manish Bansal, Director General of Health Services in Haryana, expressed satisfaction with the strong response, noting that by January 22, the last date for online applications, nearly 12,000 candidates had applied for the 450 available positions.
The written examination for these posts is scheduled for February 15 this year, to be conducted by PGIMS, Rohtak (Pt B D Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences). Following the written test, verification of documents will be carried out for meritorious candidates, with interviews currently not being part of the selection process.
Comparing Recruitment Trends
This year's application numbers stand in stark contrast to the 2024-25 recruitment cycle, when approximately 8,000 aspirants applied for 777 medical officer posts. During that period, 746 doctors were appointed, though 28 percent (213 doctors) did not join their positions for various reasons.
The substantial increase in applications has surprised academicians, who attribute this trend to students pursuing medical education at institutions abroad. Dr. Ranbir Singh Dahiya, an academician and former professor at PGIMS, Rohtak, explained that many students from Haryana prefer destinations like Russia, Georgia, and Uzbekistan for their MBBS education due to affordable tuition, English-medium programs, and relatively easier admission processes compared to Indian medical colleges.
Addressing the Medical Staff Shortage
Haryana health officials hope that this new recruitment will help alleviate the state's significant staff shortage. Currently, the state has 4,054 sanctioned medical officer posts, of which 3,602 are filled. While the technical shortfall stands at 450 posts, the practical requirement is closer to 950 medical officers.
This gap exists due to multiple factors:
- 350 medical officers have proceeded to pursue postgraduate degrees after completing the minimum three years of service
- 45 doctors are on deputation with the Union Territory Chandigarh administration
- A similar number are serving on deputation with other departments including prisons, power corporation, universities, and the World Health Organization
Senior Medical Officer Shortage
The state also faces a substantial shortage in senior medical officer (SMO) positions, with more than one-third of the sanctioned 644 posts remaining vacant. Of these positions, 50 are meant to be filled through promotion from medical officers, while the remainder are reserved for direct recruitment.
Career Progression Concerns
In December 2025, the Haryana Civil Medical Services Association launched an agitation demanding more opportunities for medical officers. Doctors in the state have long expressed frustration over limited career progression after joining the health department.
According to association leaders, more than 95 percent of medical officers receive only one promotion during their careers, moving from medical officer to senior medical officer. The association has identified direct recruitment as the primary obstacle to career advancement.
Under the current policy, 75 percent of SMO posts are filled through promotion, while 25 percent are reserved for direct recruitment. Doctors argue that directly recruited SMOs advance much faster in their careers, often rising to the post of director general, while in-service doctors face stagnation. Due to opposition from the association, no direct recruitment for SMOs has taken place since 2012.
Foreign Medical Graduates and Screening Requirements
For Indian citizens who complete their MBBS degrees abroad, it is mandatory to pass the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) to register with the National Medical Commission and obtain a license to practice in India. The FMGE serves as a screening test conducted by the National Board of Examinations to ensure that foreign-trained doctors meet the minimum standards required to practice medicine in the country.
This requirement adds an additional layer of scrutiny for medical graduates returning from international institutions, ensuring they maintain the quality standards expected in India's healthcare system.
