Mandatory rural service for med students from Oct

Skipping it will cost them degree certificate

Compulsory rural service of one year for medical students will come into effect from the batch that completes its course in October this year.

Speaking to reporters here on Tuesday, Minister of State for Medical Education Sharanprakash Patil said that the final rules for the compulsory rural service had been notified on July 25.

The President had given his assent to the Karnataka Compulsory Service Training by Candidates Completed Medical Course Bill, 2012, in May this year. Hitherto, budding doctors could pay Rs one lakh and seek exemption from compulsory rural service, but the new legislation abolishes such escape clauses. As many as 2,500 MBBS and PG students from government and private colleges, who will be completing their course in October will be the first batch that will come under the ambit of the provisions of the compulsory rural service legislation, Patil said. The next batch of around 2,000 students will come out in April next year.

“Students who fail to complete the service will not be
given their degree certificates. In addition, penalty up to Rs 30 lakh can be imposed on them,” Patil said.

Selection of the place of rural service will be based on a merit list followed by counselling. The commissionerate of health and family welfare will conduct the counselling process. On completion of the rural service, a completion certificate will be given. Completion certificate is mandatory for obtaining the degree or diploma certificate from the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences.

Patil said salary as applicable to junior doctors in government hospitals will be paid during the rural service. Besides, the students can avail 12 casual leaves and 10 medical leaves. The minister said salaries to the budding doctors paid during the rural service will cost the State exchequer Rs 300 crore per annum, but would help in overcoming the shortage of medical professionals in primary health centres in remote areas.