Many states in India mandate rural postings for MBBS graduates, sometimes extending up to 1–2 years. The idea is to ensure that underserved areas get medical attention.
On one hand:
Rural service exposes young doctors to diverse cases and real-world challenges.
It fulfills the social responsibility of medical professionals.
Patients in remote areas get access to essential healthcare.
On the other hand:
Doctors argue it feels like forced labor, especially with low pay and poor facilities.
Lack of infrastructure, medicines, and safety make postings demotivating.
It often delays specialization or higher studies.
What do you think?
Should rural postings remain mandatory, or should they become incentive-based with better pay and infrastructure?
Rural posting for doctors is the good choice for gaining knowledge and helps to face real challenges meanwhile doctors should get good facilities like well equipped infrastructure ,good compensation along with incentives
I feel, Mandatory rural postings definitely help bridge the healthcare gap in underserved areas, but the real issue is how they’re implemented. Without proper infrastructure, safety, or fair pay, it feels more like a burden than service. If rural postings came with good facilities, proper salaries, and incentives like extra marks in PG entrance or loan waivers, doctors would see it as an opportunity rather than punishment. Maybe instead of “mandatory,” making it “reward-based” could create a win–win for both patients and doctors.
Rural postings for doctors can be seen in two ways—either as a noble service or a forced bond. Here’s why:
Noble Service: Working in rural areas helps bring healthcare to underserved communities that need it the most. Doctors play a vital role in saving lives and improving health in places with few medical resources.
Forced Bond: Sometimes doctors feel forced into rural postings due to government rules or bond agreements after their education. This can create challenges like lack of infrastructure, poor living conditions, and professional isolation.
Career Impact: Rural service can be rewarding but also tough, affecting doctors’ career growth and personal life.
Balancing Act: Ideally, rural postings should be supported with good facilities and incentives to make it a positive, voluntary choice rather than a forced one.
In my opinion rural postings for the doctors is a good choice and the incentives also should be considered for the doctors because posting in a rural area is not an easy thing for the doctor.
Honestly, I see both sides. Rural service is important because it gives doctors real exposure and helps people who otherwise wouldn’t have access to care. But at the same time, it’s tough when facilities, pay, and safety are lacking. Maybe the answer isn’t to scrap it, but to make rural postings worth it, good support, fair pay, and proper infrastructure would change the whole experience.