• Bihar now requires doctors to complete three years of continuous regular service before obtaining an NOC for postgraduate or super-specialty studies outside the state or in private medical colleges.
• The policy caps such NOCs at 3% of the sanctioned medical officer strength annually and bars fresh approval for five years after a doctor rejoins service.
• Doctors who discontinue a course after obtaining an NOC will not be eligible for another NOC, while those seeking admission to bond-covered institutions must submit an affidavit accepting full responsibility for bond-related liabilities.
The Bihar Health Department has made three years of continuous regular service mandatory for government doctors seeking No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for postgraduate, super-specialty, DNB, and other higher medical studies outside Bihar or in private institutions.
The revised guidelines, issued through Resolution No. 3/Vividh-01-19/2026 on June 5, 2026, apply to doctors under Bihar Health Services and Bihar Dental Services.
The notification, issued by Health Secretary Kumar Ravi, was introduced after the department observed that some doctors proceeded on study leave soon after appointment or remained away from duty for extended periods, affecting staffing levels at government health facilities.
The department said the revised framework aims to maintain healthcare services while allowing doctors to pursue higher education.
Under the revised guidelines, doctors must have confirmed service status and certification from their controlling officer showing completion of at least three years of regular and continuous service before applying for departmental permission for higher studies.
Doctors who complete higher studies and rejoin government service will not be eligible for another NOC for studies outside Bihar or in private institutions for at least five years.
The department has also capped higher-study NOCs at 3% of the sanctioned strength of general and specialist medical officers each year, with selection based on seniority and the date of application.
The guidelines further state that doctors who discontinue a course after receiving an NOC and return to service without completing it will not be granted another NOC in the future.
Doctors seeking admission to institutions with post-study bond obligations must submit an affidavit undertaking that any bond-related liabilities will be fulfilled independently while continuing service under the Bihar Government.
The policy also states that doctors who already hold a postgraduate degree will not be granted an NOC for another PG course, while those with a super-specialty qualification will not be eligible for departmental permission to pursue another super-specialty programme.
Explaining the decision, the Bihar Health Department said some doctors availed study leave soon after appointment, while others remained on long leave or unauthorised absence. According to the notification, these trends resulted in "a severe shortage of manpower at healthcare institutions" and were "affecting medical services."
Officials told Hindustan Times that the rules were designed to strengthen workforce availability in government hospitals and reduce disruptions caused by extended absences linked to higher education and other professional pursuits.
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The policy has drawn discussion among medical students, resident doctors, and government physicians over its potential implications for postgraduate training and professional advancement.
Under Resolution No. 3/Vividh-01-19/2026 dated June 5, 2026, doctors must complete at least three years of "regular and continuous service" before becoming eligible for departmental permission to pursue higher studies outside Bihar or in private institutions. The revised framework also limits higher-study NOCs to 3% of the sanctioned strength of general and specialist medical officers each year.
Postgraduate and super-specialty qualifications represent the conventional pathway from MBBS to specialist practice. Some doctors contend that mandatory service requirements and annual quotas could delay entry into advanced courses and affect long-term workforce development within the public health system.
The new rules govern NOCs for postgraduate education, Senior Residency, DNB programmes, and other academic pursuits under Bihar Health Services and Bihar Dental Services. They replace earlier departmental instructions and are intended to address staffing challenges in government healthcare facilities while regulating access to further medical qualifications.
(Rh/TP)