The government has sanctioned a 20 per cent allocation of postgraduate (PG) medical seats under the in-service quota for this year, covering all clinical departments, according to Veerapandian, Commissioner of Health, Family Welfare, and Medical Services. This decision addresses a key demand from Primary Health Centre (PHC) doctors.
The Commissioner met with leaders of the PHC Doctors’ Association at the Director of Public Health office in Vijayawada on Sunday. He confirmed that the government is favourably disposed to resolving other outstanding issues, such as time-bound promotions, tribal allowances, and various service matters.
Initially, the government had planned to allocate 15 pc of seats across all clinical departments. However, following discussions involving Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, Health Minister Satyakumar Yadav, and the Chief Secretary, the quota was increased to 20 pc for this year. Veerapandian said that formal orders are expected to be issued shortly.
Despite this increase, PHC doctors have repeatedly demanded that this 20 pc allocation be extended until 2030. Veerapandian clarified that the government cannot commit to this indefinitely, a stance which prompted the doctors to indicate that their protest would continue regardless of the government’s immediate decision.
Speaking to the media, the Commissioner expressed his disappointment at the doctors' position. He stressed that the decision to allocate 20pc of PG seats was made after careful consideration. Officials also noted the future influx of medical professionals: between November 2025 and November 2027, as many as 1,089 PG doctors will join the service, including specialists at district, regional, and teaching hospitals.
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