The Punjab and Haryana High Court has extended its interim stay on the recruitment of psychologists for government health services in Punjab. The court order pauses both direct appointments and outsourcing-based hiring until the next hearing scheduled for March 11, 2026. The case concerns the state government’s decision to cancel an ongoing recruitment process and introduce a new hiring model.
The dispute arose after the Punjab government cancelled a recruitment drive for 343 psychologist posts that had already progressed through written examinations and document verification. Baba Farid University of Health Sciences had conducted the selection process and shortlisted candidates for contractual appointments in government-run health facilities, including de-addiction and rehabilitation centers.
Despite the advanced stage of recruitment, the government issued an order on December 18, 2025, cancelling the process. It later proposed to hire psychologists through outsourcing agencies instead of appointing them directly.
Candidates who had cleared the recruitment stages filed petitions before the Punjab and Haryana High Court. They challenged the cancellation of the recruitment process and argued that replacing it with outsourcing violated principles of fairness and transparency. The petitioners sought a stay on the new hiring plan until the court examined the matter.
A bench led by Justice Namit Kumar heard the petitions and issued an interim stay on the outsourcing-based recruitment.
On asking of the court, Punjab deputy advocate general (DAG) Satnampreet Singh Chauhan accepted notice on behalf of respondents No. 1 to 4 and on instructions from Dr Sandeep Bhola, assistant director-cum-programme officer, office of director, health and family welfare, Punjab, submitetd that in pursuance to the memo dated December 18, the appointments to the posts of psychologists shall not be made till the next date of hearing. He seeks time to file a written statement.
Punjab High Court
Under the revised proposal, the Punjab government planned to engage around 200 psychologists through private agencies, with district deputy commissioners overseeing the process. Under this model, psychologists would be recruited through third-party agencies rather than appointed directly by the health department.
The government informed the court that it would not proceed with this outsourcing plan until the next date of hearing, following the court’s direction.
Psychologists play a critical role in mental health care, especially in substance use disorder treatment, counselling services, and behavioral therapy. Punjab has been running state-supported de-addiction and rehabilitation programs as part of its broader anti-drug initiatives.
Mental health services rely heavily on trained professionals for screening, therapy, follow-up care, and relapse prevention. Delays or disruptions in staffing can affect service delivery at de-addiction centers, outpatient clinics, and community-based programs.
The extended stay temporarily halts the appointment of psychologists across government facilities. While the court has not ruled on the merits of the recruitment cancellation, the pause prevents the state from implementing its new hiring model until judicial review is complete.
The court will examine whether cancelling a completed recruitment process and replacing it with outsourcing complies with administrative and legal standards.
The matter will come up for further hearing in March 2026. Until then, the state government has assured the court that it will not proceed with outsourcing-based hiring for psychologists.
The final decision is expected to determine how Punjab fills psychologist positions in public health institutions and whether the earlier recruitment process will be restored or replaced.
(Rh/SS/MSM)
