In its notice, the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has sought an action report from the AIIMS Director and the Ministry's Secretary within 15 days.
New Delhi. The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has taken a serious view of the discrimination, inhumane working conditions, and suicides faced by PG (postgraduate) medical students from the Scheduled Caste (SC) community in India’s prestigious medical colleges and universities. The Commission has issued notices to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, and the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, seeking a response within 15 days.
The Commission’s action follows a detailed complaint filed by Dr. Lakshya Mittal, a laparoscopic, general, and laser surgeon from Rajasthan and the National President of the United Doctors Front (UDF). Dr. Mittal sought the Commission’s immediate intervention to protect the rights of PG medical students from the Scheduled Caste community, prevent suicides, and regulate working conditions.
What’s in the complaint?
In his petition (dated July 8, 2025), Dr. Mittal presented the following problems faced by students from the Scheduled Caste community to the Commission.
Inhumane duty hours – PG students in medical colleges are made to work continuously for 24 to 36 hours. In many cases, the duty hours are extended to 72 hours.
Violation of fundamental rights – Students are forced to work in conditions that violate Article 21 (Right to Life and Dignity) and Article 42 (Right to Humane Working Conditions) of the Constitution.
Caste discrimination and harassment – Scheduled Caste students often face caste-based remarks and discrimination from classmates, roommates, and faculty.
Increase in suicides and dropouts – Due to long duty hours and discrimination, dozens of students commit suicide or drop out of courses every year.
The Commission said, ‘Respond within 15 days.’
In its notice (File No. SSW-II/BE/HFW/2025/301685), the National Commission for Scheduled Castes has sought an action report from the AIIMS Director and the Secretary of the Ministry within 15 days. The Commission has clarified that if a response is not provided within the stipulated time, it will be considered a violation of the Commission’s powers and the Commission may take action similar to that of a civil court.
The NMC Task Force Report is also serious.
In his complaint, Dr. Mittal also cited the report of a task force constituted by the National Medical Commission (NMC) in August 2024. This task force, headed by Dr. Suresh Bada Math (NIMHANS), studied the mental health and suicides of postgraduate students.
The report clearly stated that continuous 24-hour duty and excessive workload not only seriously impact the mental and physical condition of doctors, but also pose a threat to the safety of patients. To address this problem, the Uniform Central Residency Scheme was created in 1992, but its guidelines have not been properly implemented to date.
Rules exist, but they are not enforced.
Residency Scheme 1992: This prohibits junior residents from working more than 12 hours continuously and not exceeding 48 hours per week. It also guarantees weekly leave and annual leave.
PGMER Guidelines 2023: This states that “PG students will work within reasonable working hours and will be given adequate rest.” It also provides for 20 days of annual leave and weekly leave.
But according to Dr. Mittal, both these rules are being completely ignored. The silence of the college management and the NMC has worsened the situation.
Shocking Suicide Statistics
According to the NMC report (August 10, 2022), 55 PG medical students committed suicide in the last five years, with a significant number of them belonging to the Scheduled Caste category.
These cases have come to light in the past:
Balmukund Bharti (2012, AIIMS Delhi): Suicide due to caste discrimination.
Dr. M. Mariraj (2018, Ahmedabad): Attempted suicide due to discrimination by colleagues.
Female MBBS intern (2023, Amritsar): Suicide due to caste-based harassment, case filed against professors and batchmates.
JIPMER, Puducherry (2024): Junior doctors accused the head of the department of caste-based discrimination.
Lokendra Singh Dhande (2024, Bengaluru): Suicide due to caste-based harassment by classmates.
Speaking to The Mooknayak, Dr. Mittal said, “Scheduled Caste students overcome significant difficulties and social barriers to reach medical college. But even after admission, they face serious problems such as discrimination, unequal treatment, and inhumane duty hours. Long and unrelenting duty hours lead to mental and physical breakdowns, which not only impact their careers but also, at times, prove fatal for their lives.
The future of these students working in medical education and healthcare can only be secured if the Commission intervenes immediately and concretely in this matter. The Commission’s intervention will not only protect the fundamental rights of these students but can also save the lives and futures of millions of talented young people.”
What are the demands?
The NMC should immediately implement the Uniform Residency Scheme 1992.
Section 5.2(ii) of the PGMER 2023 should be amended to establish a duty limit of 8 hours per day and a maximum of 48 hours per week.
An independent third-party monitoring agency should be established to determine fines and penalties for non-compliance.
A special committee should be formed to monitor and prevent caste discrimination in medical colleges.
This case not only represents a fight for the rights of Scheduled Caste students but also exposes the true nature of India’s medical education system. When students aspiring to become doctors are subjected to discrimination and inhumane conditions, it is a serious warning to both society and the government.
Ankit Pachauri
Courtesy: Hindi News