The Punjab and Haryana High Court has stepped in after the Punjab government's controversial decision to cancel the recruitment of 343 psychologists on a contract basis and instead outsource 200 similar positions. A bench led by Justice Namit Kumar issued a formal notice of motion to the state government on Tuesday, acting on a petition filed by the affected candidates.
Court Halts Process, Seeks Government Response
The court's intervention has brought an immediate halt to the new recruitment process. Representatives from the directorate of health and family welfare assured the bench that no appointments for the psychologist posts would be made until the next date of hearing, which is scheduled for January 29, 2026. This gives the legal challenge ample time to be heard and resolved.
The petition, filed under Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution by candidate Priyanka Sahota and others, challenges two specific orders issued on December 18. The first order cancelled the nearly complete recruitment process for 343 contract-based psychologists. The second order simultaneously directed the recruitment of 200 counsellors or psychologists on an outsourcing basis for the state's de-addiction, rehabilitation, and OOAT (Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment) centres.
Recruitment Saga: From Promise to Cancellation
The original recruitment drive began when Baba Farid University of Health Sciences advertised for the 343 contract positions under the department of health and family welfare on April 24, 2025. The roles required a regular MPhil or postgraduate degree in psychology, applied psychology, or clinical psychology and offered a fixed monthly salary of Rs 22,000.
The selection process moved forward with a written test conducted on May 26, after which 180 candidates were shortlisted. Document verification notices were issued on June 18, and the process was completed. The candidates were awaiting their final appointment letters when the government abruptly cancelled the entire process in December.
New Outsourcing Plan and District-Wise Allocation
The new plan, sanctioned by the state personnel department, instructs deputy commissioners in all 23 districts to recruit the 200 counsellors/psychologists through outsourcing within three weeks. These positions will be managed under district de-addiction and rehabilitation societies.
The government order specifies a district-wise allocation for these outsourced roles:
- Tarn Taran and Gurdaspur: 28 each (maximum)
- Jalandhar: 24
- Amritsar: 18
- Ludhiana: 17
- Barnala: 15
- Bathinda and Mansa: 10 each
- Fatehgarh Sahib, Ferozepur, Pathankot, Sangrur: 6 each
- Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar: 4
- Kapurthala, Moga, Patiala, Roopnagar: 3 each
- Faridkot, Fazilka, Hoshiarpur, SAS Nagar, Malerkotla: 2 each
The petitioners' counsel, Inderpreet Singh Sohal, confirmed that the court has taken cognizance of the matter. The candidates argue that the last-minute switch to an outsourcing model, after they had successfully navigated the original selection process, is arbitrary and unfair. The High Court's notice marks a significant development in this ongoing dispute over public health recruitment in Punjab.
