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New Delhi, April 22, 2025: Faculty associations of two of India’s premier medical institutions, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, and the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, have issued a stern warning of impending protests due to the prolonged delay in implementing the rotatory headship policy. This policy, aimed at ensuring transparent, democratic, and fair governance through periodic rotation of leadership roles, was approved by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in 2023 and slated for rollout from June 2024.
Background and Faculty Concerns
The rotatory headship system has been a long-standing demand of the faculty at AIIMS and PGIMER, with advocacy spanning more than a decade. Various committees, including one chaired by former AIIMS Dean Professor V K Bahl, have studied and recommended the policy’s implementation. Despite these recommendations and formal government approval, tangible steps toward enforcement remain absent.
In general body meetings held on April 16 (AIIMS) and April 17 (PGIMER), faculty representatives unanimously emphasized that the rotatory headship, alongside a collegium system, is critical for promoting accountability and fairness in institutional governance.
Lack of Progress and Government Response
Despite repeated representations and multiple rounds of dialogue with Union Health Ministry officials, the faculty associations report no meaningful progress. Notably, the Union Health Minister has not met with either association to address their concerns, with the matter being deferred repeatedly without clear justification.
Protest Ultimatum and Planned Actions
In response to this continued inaction, the faculty associations have issued a 14-day ultimatum starting April 17, 2025, demanding immediate implementation of the rotatory headship policy. Should the government fail to act within this timeframe, the associations have planned phased protests beginning May 1, 2025:
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Month 1: Black Badge protest by faculty members
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Month 2: Relay Hunger protest
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Further Escalations: Additional protest measures if demands remain unmet
The associations urge the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to honor its commitment and prevent escalation by initiating the promised administrative reforms promptly.
Disclaimer
This article is based on information available as of April 22, 2025, from faculty associations and official statements reported by Medical Dialogues. The situation may evolve, and readers are advised to consult official sources or institutional announcements for the latest updates.
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