Karnataka Government Faces Backlash as In-Service Doctors Protest New PG Specialty Limits Ahead of Counselling Outcomes

In-service doctors in Karnataka are staging protests against new government mandates that restrict their choices for Postgraduate (PG) specialities under the reserved quota. Citing a mismatch between departmental needs and doctor preferences, the government has limited the permissible MD/MS branches for deputation. This controversial move, which heavily prioritizes courses like Family Medicine and DNB seats, has sparked widespread backlash from the Karnataka Government Medical Officers Association (KGMOA). This article explores the specific branches restricted, the core concerns of the protesting doctors regarding clinical exposure, and the immediate implications for the ongoing NEET PG 2025 counselling outcomes.

The Karnataka PG medical counselling process is facing significant turmoil as medical officers serving under the State Health Department have launched protests against the state government's recent decision to impose stringent limitations on the PG specialty branches they can choose under the in-service quota. This controversial move, implemented ahead of the final seat allotment outcomes for NEET PG 2025, dictates that medical officers can pursue only a select few MD/MS courses, forcing many to opt for Diplomate of National Board (DNB) seats instead. The decision, aimed at addressing staffing needs in public health centres (PHCs) and taluk hospitals, has been vehemently opposed by the in-service doctors community, who cite concerns over academic quality and career progression.

The Karnataka government justifies the new rules based on a need assessment, stating that its priority is to fill vacancies in emergency care and primary specialties relevant to rural postings, rather than super-specialties. The decision restricts the doctors' choice of specialities for receiving deputation benefits.

• Restricted MD/MS Branches: Medical officers are primarily allowed to pursue only six specific MD/MS branches for deputation, including:
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Traumatology and Surgery
  • Critical Care Medicine
  • Forensic Medicine
  • Anaesthesia
  • MD (Family Medicine)
• DNB Prioritization: The government has specified nine branches for DNB courses, which are generally located in district or taluk hospitals, leading to a higher allotment of DNB seats in the recent mock allotment conducted by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA).
• Service Eligibility: New rules also mandate a minimum of seven years of government service for eligibility for the in-service quota or deputation for PG/DNB courses.

Core Concerns of Protesting In-Service Doctors

The Karnataka Government Medical Officers Association (KGMOA) has expressed strong condemnation, arguing that the restrictions strip away the doctors' freedom of choice and negatively impact the quality of their postgraduate education.

• Quality of Training: Doctors allege that DNB training in district/taluk hospitals offers significantly less practical exposure to complicated, serious cases compared to MD/MS courses in designated medical colleges governed by NMC norms.
• Specialty Mismatch: Protesting doctors question the staffing logic, pointing out that certain DNB options like Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Paediatrics, and Orthopaedics are permitted under DNB, but corresponding MD/MS seats are not available under the quota, despite a clear need for these specialists in the health department.
• Forced Choice: Many in-service candidates feel compelled to choose DNB seats due to the lack of available MD/MS branches, risking their security deposit if they resign after the initial mock allotment.

Impact on Counselling and Quota Utilisation

The controversy has a direct and immediate impact on the ongoing Karnataka NEET PG counselling process, affecting the allocation of the state's 30% in-service reservation seats.

• Under-utilization: Historically, a large portion of the in-service quota seats remain vacant and are converted to the non-in-service quota, partly due to stringent eligibility (like the income ceiling for OBCs) and now, due to branch restrictions. The new limits are expected to exacerbate this issue.
• Legal Challenge: Some medical officers have challenged the government's restrictive order in court, highlighting the seriousness of the dispute ahead of the Round 2 allotment result, which is expected on December 22, 2025.

Conclusion: Resolution Critical for Healthcare Delivery

The standoff between the Karnataka Government and its in-service doctors over PG specialty restrictions underscores a fundamental tension between departmental staffing needs and the individual career aspirations of medical professionals. While the government aims to strengthen primary and emergency care, the method used has triggered significant backlash, potentially jeopardizing the full utilization of the PG quota seats. Aspirants for the Karnataka NEET PG 2025 counselling must closely monitor the official website of the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) and await the outcome of the legal challenge and any potential policy revisions before finalizing their admission choices, particularly those under the in-service category.

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