Tamil Nadu Health Department has initiated recovery of bond money from doctors who left government service before completing their mandatory tenure.
Doctors receive postgraduate seat reservation, salary during study leave, and incentive marks in exchange for bonded service.
More than 500 doctors reportedly left government service after availing these benefits.
Authorities have invoked the Revenue Recovery Act to recover pending bond dues from defaulters.
Right to Information data identified over 200 doctors who absconded, prompting stricter enforcement measures.
CHENNAI, February 19, 2026: The Tamil Nadu Health Department has initiated action to recover security bond amounts from doctors who left government service before completing their mandatory tenure, following growing concerns about staffing shortages and misuse of service-linked benefits. Authorities have started invoking legal provisions to enforce repayment from doctors who failed to fulfill their bond obligations after receiving government-supported training and incentives.
According to officials, out of 10 doctors who absconded from government hospitals in Tenkasi district in recent years, three have already paid their bond amounts, while the remaining doctors are reportedly in the process of clearing their dues. In contrast, doctors who left service in Tirunelveli and other southern districts have not yet repaid the bond amounts, according to health department sources.
Doctors employed in Tamil Nadu government hospitals often receive structured benefits aimed at strengthening the public healthcare system. These benefits include reservation of up to 50 percent of seats in postgraduate, super-specialty, or diploma medical courses, along with incentive marks in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Postgraduate courses. In addition, the government provides full salary during the course period and grants leave while retaining service seniority. In exchange, doctors must sign a security bond agreeing to serve in government health institutions for a specified period after completing their training.
Despite these commitments, more than 500 doctors across Tamil Nadu reportedly left government service and moved into private practice after receiving these benefits. Authorities stated that such departures reduce the availability of trained doctors in public hospitals, particularly in underserved regions.
Health department sources confirmed that among the doctors who recently paid bond amounts in Tenkasi, two paid ₹20 lakh each and another paid ₹5 lakh. These individuals included senior and civil surgeons who had established private hospitals or clinics after leaving government service. Officials also stated that show cause notices are yet to be issued to some specialists, including orthopaedic doctors, who left their posts.
While some doctors in the past voluntarily repaid their bond amounts to obtain departmental clearance, authorities have now taken stricter action. The state government has invoked the Revenue Recovery Act to enforce payment from doctors who absconded without fulfilling their service obligation. Officials stated that the department has invoked the Revenue Recovery Act to recover pending bond dues from defaulters.
The issue gained attention after reports revealed delays in recovering bond amounts from doctors who left service prematurely. A Right to Information application reportedly identified more than 200 doctors who had absconded, highlighting gaps in enforcement and administrative follow up. Authorities have since intensified efforts to identify defaulters and recover dues.
(Rh/MSM)