Doctor’s body in Rajasthan opposes move to raise retirement age to 70

Jaipur: The Rajasthan medical college teachers association has opposed the state government’s reported move to raise the retirement age of medical college doctors from 65 to 70, saying the decision would hurt recruitment, delay promotions, and block opportunities for younger faculty.

In a letter to the medical education department, RMCTA said there is no major shortage of senior faculty, especially professors, in government medical colleges. It argued that many qualified teachers are already working on contract and waiting for regular appointments.

The association said extending the service period of senior doctors would slow career progression and delay regular hiring. It urged the government to withdraw the proposal.

Officials in the medical education department declined to comment.

In 2018, the state government amended Rule 56 of the Rajasthan Service Rules, 1951, raising the retirement age of medical teachers in the Rajasthan Medical Services (Collegiate Branch) from 62 to 65 years.

According to RMCTA, the present retirement age in the medical education department is 65, while administrative posts can be held only up to 62. It said there is adequate availability of professors in government medical colleges, leaving no justification for any further increase.

The association cited the Dynamic Assured Career Progression scheme, saying that under promotion rules, a senior post, such as a senior professor, is not converted into an assistant professor post until the incumbent retires. As a result, retaining senior faculty for long would reduce assistant professor vacancies for younger doctors.

It warned that increasing the retirement age would damage the rights of young doctors, reduce employment opportunities and weaken interest in medical education.

“RMCTA Jaipur opposes such an increase in retirement age, a move the govt is planning in the state. We strongly oppose any such proposal to increase the retirement age or grant service extension. There is currently no significant shortage of faculty members at the senior level, particularly at the Professor level. On the contrary, many young and qualified faculty members are working on a contract basis and are awaiting regular appointments and opportunities for career advancement,” said Dr Dheeraj Jeph, president, RMCTA.

The association has asked the government to simplify the Voluntary Retirement Scheme process so that workforce planning can improve and new candidates can get timely opportunities.
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