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The Andhra Pradesh state government has postponed the scheduled recruitment of associate professors and professors on a contractual basis that was set for July 17. This move follows pressure from the Andhra Pradesh Government Doctors Association (APGDA), who raised concerns about service rules and the availability of in-service doctors ready for promotion.
Key Decisions and Reasons
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Halt on Contractual Hiring:
The recruitment of 40 professors and 37 associate professors on contract has been put on hold after strong appeals from the APGDA. -
Relaxation of Promotion Norms:
In response to an acute staff crunch and in preparation for MBBS admissions for the 2025–26 academic year, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced a one-time relaxation of promotion criteria. Associate professors are now eligible for promotion to professor after just one year of experience, a reduction from the previous requirement of three years. -
Alignment with NMC Guidelines:
The promotion norms adjustment aligns with National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines, intended to ensure a sufficient teaching workforce in government medical colleges.
Background and Association’s Arguments
APGDA argued that the planned contract-based recruitment violated existing service rules, particularly G.O. No. 154, which emphasizes filling posts via regular promotions. Moreover, G.O. No. 21 stipulates contract appointments should only be made if no eligible in-service candidates are available.
The association also highlighted that recent transfers led to vacancies in multiple departments, which could be filled through regular promotions. Representative Dr. D Jayadheer of APGDA stated that most departments already have more eligible doctors than sanctioned posts, rendering contract recruitment unnecessary.
Department-Wise Vacancy and Eligibility
A summarized snapshot of vacancies and eligible candidates as reported by APGDA:
| Department | Vacancies | Eligible Candidates |
|---|---|---|
| Anaesthesia | 14 | 29 |
| Orthopaedics | 12 | 18 |
| General Medicine | 8 | 16 |
| Surgery | 5 | 31 |
| Gynaecology | 11 | 20 |
| Paediatrics | 9 | 20 |
| Dermatology | 14 | 16 |
| ENT | 11 | 8 |
| Radiation Oncology | 4 | 5 |
| Dental Surgery | 4 | 6 |
| Microbiology | 4 | 6 |
| Forensic Medicine | 8 | 11 |
| Biochemistry | 2 | 10 |
| SPM (Community Medicine) | 5 | 11 |
| Pathology | 1 | 30 (with 1 awaiting redeployment) |
| Physiology | 1 | 7 (with 1 awaiting redeployment) |
| Pediatric Surgery | 4 | 5 |
| Unspecified Department | 3 | 1 |
According to the association, in some departments, there are more eligible candidates than there are vacancies, demonstrating a robust pool of potential promotees within the state’s health system.
Government’s Next Steps
The state will prioritize regular promotions for in-service doctors, conducting proper Departmental Promotion Committees (DPC) and genuine counseling to fill the vacancies before the new academic session begins. This measure aims to avoid disruptions to medical education and ensure regulatory compliance for MBBS admissions.
Disclaimer: This news article is based on information sourced from Medical Dialogues. Policy details, actions, and figures mentioned are subject to official confirmation and further updates. Readers are advised to consult authoritative announcements for the most accurate and current developments.
