216 CGHS doctor posts vacant in Delhi, as informed in Rajya Sabha on February 10, 2026.
31% GDMO shortage in the capital, impacting lakhs of beneficiaries.
Vacancies reported across multiple cities, including Kolkata and Lucknow.
Specialist and dental posts also unfilled, affecting major centres.
UPSC recruitment ongoing, but CGHS staffing gaps persist.
New Delhi: The Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) is grappling with a serious staffing crisis. Official data tabled in the Rajya Sabha on February 10, 2026, reveals that 216 General Duty Medical Officer (GDMO) posts remain vacant in Delhi alone.
Out of 703 sanctioned GDMO posts in the capital, only 487 are currently filled. This means nearly 31 percent of approved positions remain unoccupied, placing significant pressure on the system.
The shortage directly impacts lakhs of central government employees, pensioners, and their dependents who rely on CGHS dispensaries for outpatient consultations, medicines, and primary healthcare services.
The staffing gap extends beyond Delhi.
Other cities reporting vacant GDMO posts include:
Kolkata: 29 vacancies
Lucknow: 16 vacancies
Kanpur: 15 vacancies
Meerut: 13 vacancies
Chandigarh: 9 vacancies
Additional shortages have been reported in Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Dehradun, and Guwahati.
However, some CGHS centers currently show no GDMO vacancies. These include Jaipur, Trivandrum, Chennai, and Hyderabad.
The crisis is not limited to general duty doctors. Several cities face shortages in non-teaching specialist posts.
Reported vacancies include:
Chennai: 13 specialist posts
Hyderabad: 12 specialist posts
Mumbai: 9 specialist posts
Prayagraj: 8 specialist posts
Dental surgeon posts are also vacant in Delhi, Kanpur, Lucknow, Mumbai, and Nagpur.
These shortages increase the burden on existing medical professionals and may affect the availability of specialized consultations.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare informed Parliament that recruitment for CGHS medical posts is conducted through the Union Public Service Commission.
The process includes annual requisitions sent to the UPSC and recruitment through the Combined Medical Services Examination, followed by interviews.
Selected candidates are posted to central government hospitals and CGHS units across the country, including dispensaries and wellness centers.
The government stated that filling vacancies is a continuous process carried out as per established recruitment rules and timelines.
The staffing shortfall has operational consequences:
Longer waiting times at CGHS dispensaries
Increased workload on serving doctors
Possible delays in consultations and diagnostic services
CGHS beneficiaries include serving central government employees, pensioners, and eligible family members. The scheme provides free outpatient consultations, medicines, and access to empaneled hospitals for cashless treatment.
With Delhi reporting the highest number of vacancies, concerns are growing about service efficiency in one of the scheme’s busiest regions.
(Rh/ARC)