Irfan Tramboo
SRINAGAR, Nov 24: The Government has warned of strict action against in-service doctors who violate rules while applying for higher studies or tenure postings in 2026, or who abandon their courses midway.
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In this regard, the Health and Medical Education (H&ME) Department has issued a communication cautioning that any doctor who leaves their posting without a valid No Objection Certificate (NOC) and prior permission may face strict disciplinary action, including possible loss of appointment.
The directives have been issued through Circular No. 11-JK(HME) of 2025, which invites applications from eligible in-service doctors seeking NOCs to pursue higher studies or tenure positions in the calendar year 2026.
H&ME warned that doctors who violate the guidelines, leave their postings without permission, or abandon their courses midway will face severe penalties.
These include a fine of Rs 2 lakh, withholding of increments, and a five-year ban on Government-sponsored courses.
Strict disciplinary action, including possible termination, has also been warned for those who deviate from the procedure or leave their posting without a proper NOC.
The circular is in line with a 2019 High Court judgment, and a dedicated Departmental Committee has been formed to scrutinise applications and recommend NOCs based on eligibility.
According to the guidelines, doctors applying for higher studies within or outside J&K must have completed five years of service as of January 1, 2026, and it must be their first such study during service.
For those applying for tenure postings such as Senior or Junior Residency or Registrarship, the guidelines state that they must have completed their probation or three years of service, whichever is later, and it must be their first tenure posting.
A cooling-off period of two years in regular service, the H&ME stated, is mandatory for doctors who have previously availed themselves of study leave or tenure postings.
Further, applicants, as per guidelines, for tenure posts must be up to 42 years of age, while those pursuing higher studies must have at least three years of service left after completing their course.
The guidelines note that all applicants must have a clean service record and provide certifications from their Heads of Department regarding conduct, integrity, and the absence of pending enquiries.
Applications are to be submitted through the respective Directorates of Health Services in Jammu or Kashmir by November 30, 2025, while the Directorates have been directed to send a consolidated list of eligible applicants to the Administrative Department by December 20, 2025.
The communication clarified that applying for or even receiving an NOC does not automatically permit a doctor to leave duty.
The H&ME stated that final relieving orders will be issued only after selection into a course or tenure post, and only on the recommendation of the Departmental Committee.
The Government has also directed all Medical Colleges and institutions to allow only those in-service doctors with valid NOCs and joining permissions from the Administrative Department to participate in any selection process.
The move aims to streamline career progression for in-service doctors while ensuring that health services across Jammu and Kashmir remain unaffected.
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