Maharashtra has scrapped the mandatory one-year social responsibility service bond required after completing an MBBS. The Medical Education Department issues a Government Resolution (GR) ending the requirement for students who graduate from government, municipal, aided and private unaided medical colleges in the state. The change is aimed at reducing delays in higher education and career progression, especially for candidates who were unable to be allotted the required service within the available timeframes.
The government cites an increase in the number of medical colleges and MBBS graduates in Maharashtra alongside limited availability of bond service posts. As a result, some eligible candidates could not complete the bond service in time, which affected their eligibility for postgraduate medical admissions.
Under the new rules, candidates who have not yet been allotted bond service, or who were allotted service but did not join, are no longer required to complete the period. Those who could not finish the service are also not required to serve the remaining time. However, candidates who have already started the bond service must complete the remaining tenure. The state also states that no fresh bond allotments will be made and the online allotment portal used by the Directorate of Medical Education and Research is shut down. The GR further clarifies that candidates who previously exited by paying a penalty are not eligible for a refund of amounts already paid.
