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MUMBAI — On March 5, 2026, the historic grounds of Azad Maidan became the epicenter of a burgeoning healthcare crisis as more than 2,300 postgraduate doctors launched a massive protest against the Maharashtra state government. These physicians, trained through the College of Physicians and Surgeons (CPS) Mumbai, are demanding the immediate scheduling of final specialist qualification exams that have been stalled since November 2024. The demonstration, organized by the Association of CPS Doctors, warns that the continued regulatory limbo not only jeopardizes the careers of thousands of skilled practitioners but also threatens to dismantle a critical pillar of India’s rural healthcare workforce.
The Eye of the Storm: Why Doctors are Taking to the Streets
The protesters represent a cohort of 2,342 postgraduate students across Maharashtra who have completed their mandatory two-year hospital postings and rigorous academic requirements in specialties such as anesthesiology, pediatrics, and gynecology. Despite fulfilling their clinical duties, these doctors remain “unqualified” in the eyes of the law because their final exit examinations have been suspended indefinitely due to a complex jurisdictional battle between the CPS and the National Medical Commission (NMC).
“We have served on the frontlines, treated thousands of patients, and completed our training in good faith,” stated a representative from the Association of CPS Doctors during the rally. “To be denied the right to prove our merit through an exam is not just a career setback; it is a disservice to the patients who are waiting for specialists in underserved areas.”
The protest has garnered significant support from the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Bharat (ABVP), which highlighted that many of these students were admitted through the merit-based NEET-PG process. The demand is simple: a clear roadmap for examinations and the subsequent awarding of diplomas that allow them to practice as recognized specialists.
A Century-Old Institution Under Scrutiny
To understand the current standoff, one must look at the unique history of the College of Physicians and Surgeons (CPS). Established in 1912 and modeled after the Royal Colleges of the United Kingdom, the CPS was empowered under the Indian Medical Degrees Act of 1916 to grant postgraduate qualifications. For decades, it served as a vital alternative to the MD/MS pathway, offering 17 diploma and 10 fellowship courses that focused on practical clinical skills.
However, the regulatory landscape shifted dramatically with the implementation of the NMC Act of 2019. The NMC’s Postgraduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB) has moved toward a standardized, centralized system of medical education, leading to the full derecognition of all CPS courses on August 16, 2024. The NMC cites non-compliance with modern infrastructure standards and the fact that CPS, as a non-government body, lacks the statutory authority to award qualifications equivalent to those of the government-run National Board of Examinations (NBEMS).
Legal Battles and the “Batch-Specific” Trap
The crisis reached the judiciary when PILs (Public Interest Litigations) challenged the quality of training at CPS-affiliated hospitals. In 2025, the Bombay High Court upheld the derecognition, effectively halting new admissions and exams. While the court noted that the CPS could potentially restart if it met stringent NMC standards, the current students are caught in the crossfire.
A 2025 Supreme Court intervention provided a glimmer of hope, but only for a fraction of the students. The Centre granted two exam attempts specifically to 852 students from the 2021-22 batch. This left the current protesting cohort—numbering over 2,300 from subsequent years—without a legal safety net, despite having entered their programs under state assurances that their degrees would be recognized.
Public Health Implications: A Widening Gap
The protest in Mumbai is not merely an administrative dispute; it is a public health emergency. India currently faces a staggering 80% shortfall of specialists at rural Community Health Centres (CHCs). According to Ministry of Health data, while the country requires 21,964 specialists, it has only 4,413 currently in service.
Historically, CPS diploma holders have been the backbone of rural healthcare, with over 22,000 such specialists practicing nationwide. By “demoting” these 2,300 trained doctors to general practitioners due to a lack of certification, the system effectively removes thousands of surgeons, obstetricians, and pediatricians from the field.
“This regulatory limbo traps skilled doctors, intensifying shortages when India needs specialists most,” noted the Association of CPS Doctors.
Independent experts like Dr. Shivkumar Utture, Vice-President of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), although not affiliated with CPS, have previously noted that such systemic instability indirectly fuels healthcare volatility and staffing shortages that eventually impact patient safety.
Balancing Accountability and Fairness
The NMC’s push for standardization is not without merit. Critics, including Dr. Suhas Pingle, have pointed to lapses in transparency, such as CPS-affiliated hospitals lacking proper equipment or cases of students passing despite inadequate clinical exposure. The NMC argues that derecognition is a necessary step to ensure that Indian medical qualifications meet international standards.
However, medical educators also argue for transitional justice.
“While we must enforce high standards, we cannot simply discard an entire generation of doctors who were trained under a government-approved framework at the time of their admission,” says a senior surgeon at a government hospital who wished to remain anonymous. “A one-time oversight exam or a bridge course could ensure quality without wasting precious medical talent.”
What This Means for Patients and Future Students
For the general public, the shortage of specialists translates to longer wait times, higher costs for private care, and a lack of emergency surgical services in rural districts.
For prospective medical students, the CPS crisis serves as a cautionary tale. Health journalists and career counselors now advise prioritizing courses recognized by the NMC or NBEMS for nationwide validity. Until the legal status of CPS is fully resolved through a central gazette or a new compliance agreement, the portability of these qualifications remains state-bound and precarious.
The path forward remains uncertain. The Bombay High Court suggested that a restart is possible if standards are met, but for the 2,300 doctors currently at Azad Maidan, every day without an exam is a day their specialized skills remain on the sidelines.
References
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Medical Dialogues. (2026, March 5). Over 2,300 CPS doctors protest in Mumbai over exams delay. Source Link
Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals before making any health-related decisions or changes to your treatment plan. The information presented here is based on current research and expert opinions, which may evolve as new evidence emerges.
