In a recent communication to the Rajya Sabha, the Central Government revealed that nearly one-third of faculty positions at the All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) are currently vacant. This information was provided by the Minister of State for Health, who presented data specifying the sanctioned, filled, and vacant posts across 20 operational AIIMS in the country. The findings highlight considerable staffing challenges faced by both established and newer AIIMS facilities.
Details of Vacancies at Various Institutes
According to the data, AIIMS New Delhi, the flagship of these institutes, reports 446 out of 1,306 faculty positions are unfilled. Other institutes experiencing significant gaps include Jodhpur, with 184 vacancies; Mangalagiri, 138; Nagpur, 135; Kalyani, 134; and Rishikesh, 126. Newly established institutes seem to be under additional pressure. AIIMS Madurai reports only 70 faculty members currently employed, against a sanctioned strength of 183, resulting in 113 vacancies. Moreover, Rajkot has 105 vacancies, Raebareli 98, and Gorakhpur 96.
Non-Faculty Shortages Also Critical
The crisis is further exacerbated in non-faculty roles, which encompass nursing staff, technicians, administrative personnel, and various support services necessary for smooth hospital operations. Across the twenty AIIMS, a staggering 17,205 non-faculty posts remain unfilled. Specifically, AIIMS New Delhi has reported 2,542 non-faculty vacancies. Other institutes also report high numbers of unfilled positions: Rishikesh with 1,144, Patna with 1,132, Raipur with 1,069, Bhubaneswar with 1,026, and Kalyani with 1,050. At AIIMS Madurai, only 40 out of 911 sanctioned non-faculty roles are occupied, leaving an alarming 871 positions vacant.
Ongoing Initiatives for Recruitment
The Ministry of Health noted that the establishment of new posts and the recruitment process is ongoing. Each AIIMS has a Standing Selection Committee formed under its specific legislative acts to facilitate faculty recruitment. In an effort to fill the gaps, the government has permitted the hiring of retired faculty members on a contractual basis, applicable to those up to 70 years of age. Additionally, a Visiting Faculty Scheme has been launched to allow professors from other educational institutions to teach within AIIMS.
For nursing positions, the Nursing Officer Recruitment Common Eligibility Test (NORCET) is utilized for recruitment, while Group B and C non-faculty vacancies are addressed through a Common Recruitment Examination (CRE). Junior and senior resident positions are filled biannually through the INI-CET and INI-SS examinations.
Concerns Regarding Staffing Levels Amidst Growth
This information comes at a time when AIIMS facilities are experiencing rapid growth, marked by an increase in patient load, additional academic seating, and expanded super-specialty services. The scale of existing vacancies raises pertinent questions regarding whether staffing levels are adequately meeting the rising demand for advanced healthcare services alongside the ongoing development of infrastructure.
