State President of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Punjab, Dr. Vikas Chhabra, strongly appealed to the Punjab Government to immediately withdraw the newly introduced bond and surety policy for MBBS admissions in the 2025–26 academic session, terming it “punitive, regressive, and unjust.”
The policy, which requires medical students admitted to government colleges to either serve a mandatory two-year bond or pay a penalty of Rs 20 lakh, has triggered outrage among aspiring doctors and their families. In addition, the government has made it compulsory for students to furnish property-based sureties of equal value—a condition IMA Punjab described as financially crushing for middle- and lower-income households.
“This policy is nothing short of harassment. How can parents from modest backgrounds arrange two sureties worth Rs 20 lakh each for one child? Families with two children aspiring to be doctors will have to arrange four sureties, which is practically impossible,” said Dr. Chhabra.
According to IMA Punjab, the move not only burdens families but also undermines the very objective of government medical colleges, which is to provide affordable education. The body warned that the policy would have multiple damaging effects:
Excessive Financial Burden: Along with recent annual fee hikes, the Rs 20 lakh penalty and surety requirements make medical education inaccessible for economically weaker families.
“Bonded Labour” Conditions: The mandatory two-year service comes with stipends much lower than neighbouring states. Forcing graduates to work under such conditions, the IMA argued, is exploitative.
Discouragement of Talent: Stringent surety conditions are likely to push top-ranking students to institutions in other states, causing a brain drain from Punjab.
Ineffective Solution: While the government has justified the move as a step to address rural doctor shortages, IMA Punjab said punitive bonds are not the answer. Instead, it called for improved salaries, better working conditions, and long-term incentives to attract doctors to public service.
Breach of Trust: Students and their families feel betrayed, as the government had earlier assured the medical fraternity of stipend hikes and supportive reforms.
“This is a betrayal of students’ hard work and aspirations. Instead of creating opportunities, the government is imposing chains,” the IMA statement said.
The association has demanded an ‘immediate and unconditional rollback’ of the bond and surety requirements. It urged the Punjab Government to hold constructive dialogue with medical professionals and students to craft policies that actually strengthen the healthcare system rather than weaken it.
“The future of medical education in Punjab and the quality of healthcare for its citizens depend on the government’s willingness to act justly,” the statement concluded.
What Is the New Bond and Surety Policy?
Who is affected? MBBS students taking admission in Punjab’s government medical colleges for the 2025–26 academic session.
What is required? Students must sign a bond mandating two years of compulsory government service after graduation.
Penalty for non-compliance: Rs 20 lakh.
Sureties: Each student must provide two property-based sureties equal to the penalty amount.
Why introduced? Government says the move will ensure availability of doctors in rural areas.
Why opposed? Students, parents and IMA Punjab say it creates an unfair financial burden, discourages talent, and amounts to “bonded labour.”
