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Shimla, June 10, 2025 — In a significant development for medical professionals in Himachal Pradesh, the Division Bench of the Himachal Pradesh High Court has stayed a previous Single Bench order that had directed the release of original MBBS degrees and undated cheques to postgraduate doctors. This move comes as the state government continues to enforce mandatory bond service for doctors who have completed their studies in government medical institutions.
Background: The Bond Service Policy
Under the existing policy, doctors pursuing postgraduate studies in government medical colleges in Himachal Pradesh are required to sign a bond worth Rs 40 lakh, committing to serve in the state’s government health services for two years after completing their course. The policy aims to address the shortage of doctors in rural and underserved areas by ensuring that trained professionals serve where they are most needed. During their studies, these doctors also receive monthly stipends from the government.
The Dispute
After the results for the postgraduate courses were declared on April 7, 2025, a group of doctors requested the return of their original degrees and undated cheques on April 9, arguing that the government had not issued their posting orders within the one-month period stipulated by policy. According to the doctors, this delay meant the bond should no longer be enforceable.
The state government, however, contended that the timeline for issuing posting orders should begin from the date the doctors were officially relieved from their colleges (March 10, 2025), not the result declaration date. Posting orders were subsequently issued on April 10, 2025, which the government argues was within the required timeframe. The state also accused the doctors of attempting to avoid their service obligations after having benefited from the scheme for three years.
High Court Proceedings
The Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia and Justice Ranjan Sharma, found that the matter warranted further examination. The court noted that the doctors had approached the judiciary on April 23, 2025—after the posting orders had already been issued—and questioned why they had not first sought enforcement of their postings if they were willing to serve.
As a result, the High Court stayed the Single Judge’s order to release the degrees and cheques, effectively upholding the state’s right to enforce the bond service for now. However, the court did allow the portion of the earlier judgment that directed the state to investigate and take action against any officials responsible for delays in issuing posting orders.
What’s Next?
The case is now scheduled for further hearing on August 4, 2025. Until then, the status quo regarding the bond service policy will be maintained, and affected doctors will not receive their original degrees or undated cheques unless the court rules otherwise.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on information reported by Medical Dialogues and other publicly available sources as of June 10, 2025. The legal proceedings are ongoing, and the final outcome may differ based on future court decisions. For the most current and official updates, readers are advised to consult the Himachal Pradesh High Court or relevant government authorities. This article does not constitute legal advice.
