Kerala Bond Policy for PG medical Admissions: Rs 50 Lakh Penalty, 10 years compulsory services
The Government of Kerala has introduced strict regulations for doctors seeking admission into postgraduate (PG) degree courses at government medical colleges in the state. These rules, outlined in the prospectus for 2024-2025, emphasize the importance of mandatory bond service after completing the PG course. This article elaborates on the bond obligations and the associated terms, aiming to provide comprehensive insights for aspiring doctors.
Mandatory Bond Service in Kerala
Doctors enrolling in PG courses in Kerala’s government medical colleges are required to serve as senior residents for a minimum of one year immediately after completing their degree. This service is compulsory for all candidates and aims to strengthen the state’s medical education system by ensuring experienced personnel stay on for a designated period.
For in-service candidates (doctors already employed by the government), the bond service period is extended to 10 years, with an additional condition that two years must be served in remote or difficult-to-access areas, as defined by the government. The prospectus emphasizes the need for this service to be rendered uninterruptedly following the completion of the degree course.
Financial Penalty for Non-Compliance
To ensure adherence to these bond obligations, the state government has stipulated a hefty Rs 50 Lakh Penalty for any candidate who fails to fulfill the terms of the bond. This penalty applies uniformly to all candidates, including general merit and those admitted through the All India Quota (AIQ). The penalty serves as a deterrent to those contemplating abandoning their service commitment.
Key Provisions Regarding the Bond
The bond agreement, as detailed in the prospectus issued by the Directorate of Medical Education (DME) Thiruvananthapuram, requires candidates to execute two separate bonds on Kerala stamp paper worth ₹200 each. These bonds must be signed at the time of joining the PG course.
The essential clauses include:
- No Discontinuation of the PG Course: Candidates are prohibited from leaving the course mid-way. Doing so will invoke severe penalties.
- One Year of Senior Residency: Upon completion of the course, candidates must serve as senior residents for a continuous period of one year. Failure to do so will result in the forfeit of the candidate’s certificates and other punitive measures.
Period of Senior Residency
The senior residency period begins from the date of publication of the course results and is subject to successful completion of the program. The remuneration and other terms during this period will be determined by the Government of Kerala.
Exemption for Higher Studies
If a doctor, bound by this bond, secures admission into a Super Speciality PG course, they will be relieved from their bond service to pursue the higher degree. However, upon completing their Super Speciality degree, they will be expected to fulfill the remaining bond obligations. In such cases, the total duration of bond service (including PG and Super Speciality obligations) should not exceed two years.
It is important to note that the state government offers this exemption only for Super Speciality courses and not for fellowship programs, observer-ships, or other non-degree courses.
Regular Government Appointments: Bond Relief
Doctors who secure permanent appointments in government services (either within Kerala or under other states, the central government, union territories, or public sector undertakings) may be relieved from compulsory bond service. To qualify for this exemption, they must provide a letter from the appointing authority, stating that they are not entitled to an extension of their joining date. Additionally, they must submit proof of their joining within a month of appointment to avoid penalties.
Tenure of Compulsory Service
The bond stipulates that all senior residents must complete their one-year service immediately after finishing the course and without any breaks. The college principals are responsible for retaining the candidates’ certificates until the service is successfully completed and verified by competent authorities.
In cases where a senior resident avails of maternity leave, the stipendiary period will be extended to 18 months, including a maximum of six months of maternity leave.
Important Guidelines for the Execution of Bonds
Several critical guidelines govern the execution of bonds:
- Execution Timeline: Bonds must be executed within 7 days of admission. Failure to do so will result in the cancellation of the candidate’s admission, and they will be liable to pay the prescribed liquidated damages.
- Professional Misconduct: Violation of the bond conditions may be treated as professional misconduct, with the possibility of reporting the violation to the Kerala Medical Council, which can result in the cancellation of the candidate’s medical registration.
- Financial Penalties: In addition to the ₹50 lakh penalty, candidates who fail to fulfill their service obligations will be required to repay the stipend or salary received during their course of study, along with interest.
- Certificate Retention: The original certificates of the candidates will be held by the college authorities until the bond service is completed. These certificates can only be released for official purposes, such as verification by the Kerala Public Service Commission, upon written request from the candidate. The candidate bears the expense of such processes.
Special Provisions for Service Candidates
For candidates serving under government quotas, the bond requires 10 years of service, with two years in remote areas, as mentioned earlier. The District Medical Officer (DMO) will retain the original certificates of service candidates until the bond obligation is fulfilled.
In cases where a service candidate discontinues their course or violates the bond, the state will impose liquidated damages equivalent to their total salary during the entire service period, plus the salary drawn during the course, along with 8% interest. The state government also reserves the right to impose an additional 25% salary hike during the bond period to account for future pay revisions.
