‘Worse Than Government Hospitals’: High Court Alarms Over 36% Faculty Vacancies at AIIMS Nagpur

NAGPUR — The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has issued a stern warning regarding the “alarming” state of staffing at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Nagpur, noting that a 36.7% vacancy rate in faculty positions threatens to undermine the institution’s primary mission. In a move that highlights a systemic crisis across India’s premier medical network, the court observed in February 2026 that the staffing shortage at this “Institute of National Importance” has left it in a condition potentially “worse than government hospitals.”

The judicial intervention, led by Justice Anil Kilor and Justice Raj Wakode, follows a series of Right to Information (RTI) disclosures revealing that nearly 40% of sanctioned teaching positions at AIIMS Nagpur remain unfilled. The bench has now converted the matter into a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), signaling that administrative delays in recruitment will no longer be viewed as mere bureaucratic hurdles, but as significant risks to public health and medical education.

A Crisis by the Numbers: The Staffing Gap

At the heart of the court’s concern is a stark disparity between the infrastructure promised and the expertise available. According to data presented to the bench, the faculty deficit at AIIMS Nagpur is not an isolated incident but a leading example of a nationwide trend.

AIIMS Nagpur Faculty Statistics:

• Total Sanctioned Faculty Posts: 373

• Total Vacant Posts: 137

• Current Vacancy Rate: 36.7%

The bench rejected arguments from the institute’s counsel that other AIIMS branches face similar or worse shortages. “It cannot be defended by saying others are worse,” the judges remarked, emphasizing that “only inaugurating an institution with grandeur is not enough; running it properly is more challenging and essential.”

The National Context: 19,000+ Empty Chairs

The crisis extends far beyond the borders of Maharashtra. Data recently tabled in the Lok Sabha by Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda reveals a staggering 19,561 vacant positions across 20 AIIMS institutes nationwide. This includes 2,356 faculty positions and 17,205 non-faculty roles.

Why Do These Posts Remain Vacant?

The paradox of a country that recently achieved the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended ratio of 1 doctor per 1,000 people—yet faces acute shortages in its best hospitals—is complex.

Counsel for AIIMS Nagpur informed the court that recruitment efforts are ongoing but face several “pull and push” factors:

1. Specialty Scarcity: In some super-specialty departments, no applications were received despite repeated advertisements.

2. The “Brain Drain” to Private Sector: Higher-paying opportunities in private corporate hospitals lure away top-tier candidates.

3. Retention Challenges: Many selected candidates either do not join or resign shortly after for better research ecosystems in older, established institutions.

“Recruiting for a new AIIMS is like building a city from scratch,” says a public health policy analyst not involved in the litigation. “It isn’t just about the salary. These specialists look for established mentoring networks, research grants, and work-life balance that a struggling, understaffed department cannot yet provide.”

Implications for Patient Care and Education

When over a third of the faculty is missing, the burden falls squarely on the remaining staff and the patients they serve.

1. Patient Safety and Burnout

With fewer senior consultants, existing faculty must manage larger outpatient departments (OPDs). This often leads to shorter consultation times and longer waiting lists for elective surgeries. For the “poor and underserved” patients whom AIIMS was built to serve, these delays can be life-threatening.

2. Diluted Medical Education

AIIMS institutes are not just hospitals; they are teaching hubs. A shortage of faculty means less supervision for residents and medical students. This “dilution” of training can have a long-term impact on the quality of the next generation of Indian doctors.

3. The Referral Loop

If AIIMS Nagpur cannot provide specific super-specialty care due to staff shortages, patients are referred back to already overcrowded state government hospitals or forced into expensive private care, increasing out-of-pocket expenditures.

The Path Forward: Court Mandates Action

The High Court has taken several concrete steps to ensure this issue remains a priority:

• Direct Inspection: The Central government counsel has been ordered to personally visit AIIMS Nagpur and file a ground-level status report.

• Expert Assistance: Senior Advocate Jugalkishore Gilda has been appointed as amicus curiae (friend of the court) to examine the systemic causes of these vacancies.

• Mandated Meetings: The Union Health Ministry has highlighted that Standing Selection Committees are now mandated to meet four times a year to expedite hiring.

While the government highlights centralized entrance exams (INI-CET) and regular recruitment drives as solutions, the court’s scrutiny suggests that a more fundamental shift in how specialists are incentivized to join newer institutes may be required.

What This Means for You

For patients seeking care at AIIMS Nagpur or other newer AIIMS branches, it is important to:

• Verify Specialist Availability: Before traveling long distances, confirm if the specific super-specialty department is fully functional.

• Anticipate Wait Times: Expect longer turnarounds for non-emergency procedures while staffing remains in flux.

• Support Policy Reform: Public awareness of these vacancies is the first step toward demanding better funding and administrative support for public health icons.

The case continues to be monitored by the Bombay High Court, with the next status report expected to provide a roadmap for filling the 137 empty desks that currently stand between the people of Nagpur and the “world-class” care they were promised.

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.

References

1. Medical Dialogues. “HC laments over 36 percent faculty vacancies at AIIMS Nagpur.” Published 20 February 2026.