Srinagar, Oct 10 (KNO): The Jammu and Kashmir government’s decision to abolish 307 posts of house physicians and house surgeons in the two premier medical colleges of the Union Territory - GMC Srinagar and GMC Jammu - has sparked outrage among medical students and young doctors, who have termed the move “unjust and detrimental” to job prospects for fresh MBBS graduates.
According to the Government Order No. 663-JK (HME) of 2025, issued by the Health and Medical Education Department, accessed by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), 54 new posts of Senior Residents/Tutors have been created in the Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar by simultaneously reducing 137 posts of House Physicians/House Surgeons. Similarly, in GMC Jammu, 67 Senior Resident/Tutor posts have been created by abolishing 170 such junior-level positions — resulting in a total of 121 newly created posts but a net reduction of 186 jobs.
However, the move has drawn widespread criticism from the medical community.
The All India Medical Students Association (AIMSA) has voiced strong opposition, arguing that the decision will severely impact young doctors awaiting internship and short-term placements.
“This decision is really unfair. The government has cut 307 House Physician posts to create just 121 senior resident posts - a net loss of 186 jobs. This kills MBBS job opportunities,” said Dr Mohammad Momin Khan, Vice President of AIMSA.
Dr Khan added that house physician positions are crucial for recently graduated MBBS doctors to gain essential hands-on clinical experience before pursuing postgraduate studies. “By removing these posts, the government is closing an important door for fresh graduates who depend on these short-term assignments to build practical skills and earn stipends,” he said.
Several medical students and junior doctors echoed these concerns, warning that the policy would demotivate young medicos and worsen unemployment in the healthcare sector.
“We appeal to the Lieutenant Governor’s administration and CM Omar Abdullah, to intervene and restore all 307 House Physician posts,” said a medic at GMC Srinagar. “At a time when many young doctors are struggling to find placements, this step will push them further into uncertainty.”
For the thousands of MBBS graduates waiting for job opportunities, the announcement has come as a major blow. Many have taken to social media using hashtags like #Restore307Posts and #SaveMBBSJobs, calling on authorities to revisit what they describe as a “short-sighted decision.”—(KNO)