Resident doctors, particularly post-graduate trainees, across India are frequently subjected to duty hours extending up to 36 hours without sufficient rest, raising alarms about patient safety and the well-being of medical professionals. A recent letter from the Healthcare Reforms Doctors Association (HRDA) in Telangana to the Director of Medical Education highlights the routine nature of these prolonged shifts, citing concerns of severe fatigue, mental stress, and burnout among trainees in both government and private medical colleges. This issue has drawn attention from various bodies, including a parliamentary panel and the Supreme Court, which is currently reviewing a petition concerning the unregulated working conditions of these doctors.
The parliamentary panel, in its findings, drew a stark comparison to the aviation industry, where strict duty-hour limitations are enforced to prevent fatigue-induced accidents. The panel emphasized that regulating doctors' duty hours is not merely a labor welfare concern but a critical imperative for patient safety. The committee called for enforceable standards rather than mere advisory guidelines, urging the government to establish robust oversight mechanisms. This mirrors a Supreme Court notice issued on a petition seeking to enforce a 12-hour daily and 48-hour weekly cap on resident doctor shifts, highlighting the systemic strain on the medical training ecosystem.
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Broader Concerns Emerge
Beyond the immediate issue of extended duty hours, reports indicate that resident doctors, particularly those from marginalized communities, face compounded challenges including caste-based discrimination and harassment. In July 2025, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) reportedly intervened, calling upon the Health Ministry to take strict action against these violations, which contribute to rising mental health issues, including stress, dropouts, and suicides. The MoSJE stressed that both duty-hour violations and caste-based harassment fall under the Health Ministry's mandate.
These concerns were further articulated in a memorandum submitted in June 2025 by the United Doctors Front (UDF), which highlighted the "systemic neglect and marginalisation" of PG students from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, Economically Weaker Sections, and Persons with Disabilities. The memorandum pointed to violations of the Uniform Central Residency Scheme and Post-Graduate Medical Education Regulations, alongside inadequate implementation of existing policies meant to safeguard student rights.
Historical Context and Persistent Challenges
The exploitation of resident doctors through excessively long working hours is not a new phenomenon. A petition before the Supreme Court, brought forth by the United Doctors Front (UDF), noted that directives regarding regulated working hours, some dating back over three decades, have largely remained unenforced. The petition implored the court to issue a writ of mandamus, directing authorities to prepare and enforce duty rosters that respect human physical and psychological limitations, ensuring adequate rest between shifts. Incidents of medical errors and compromised patient care have been directly linked to excessive work hours, sleep deprivation, and institutional neglect.
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The ongoing situation underscores a persistent disconnect between established guidelines and the practical realities faced by resident doctors. The push for regulated duty hours and an end to discriminatory practices signals a broader societal demand for a more humane and equitable healthcare system, where the well-being of those who provide care is as paramount as the safety of those who receive it.
