Dehradun – To draw more physicians to its far‑flung districts, the Uttarakhand government has unveiled a new pay structure for resident doctors and demonstrators posted in state‑run medical colleges. The revised scales add a location‑based premium for staff serving in the hilly belt, where chronic understaffing has hampered public health services.
Significant rise for senior residents
Effective immediately, senior residents stationed in hill hospitals will draw Rs 1.10 lakh per month, up from the earlier Rs 90,000. Their counterparts on the plains will see their salary lift to Rs 1.05 lakh, a jump from Rs 84,000.
Junior residents also see a boost
Junior residents assigned to mountainous areas will now be paid Rs 85,000 monthly, an increase from Rs 76,000. Those working in lower‑lying regions will earn Rs 80,000, up from Rs 71,000.
Adjusted remuneration for demonstrators
The differential pay model extends to demonstrators as well. In hill postings, their monthly remuneration will rise to Rs 85,000 (previously Rs 76,000), while demonstrators on the plains will receive Rs 80,000, replacing the earlier Rs 71,000.
Why the extra pay?
Officials say the higher compensation for mountain assignments is designed to make these postings more attractive, thereby narrowing the persistent vacancy gap in Uttarakhand’s rugged districts. The uplift is also expected to help medical colleges retain their resident staff, strengthening both patient care and academic programs.
Current staffing figures show the state’s government medical colleges employ 251 junior residents, 246 senior residents, and 134 demonstrators. The salary hike will translate into a sizable increase in monthly earnings for each group.
Tackling the doctor shortage
The move comes amid ongoing worries about insufficient doctor numbers in public hospitals, especially in high‑altitude districts where many departments operate below sanctioned strength. By offering a financial incentive, the government hopes to persuade more physicians to accept or continue hill‑area assignments, easing the strain on understaffed facilities.
Among 23 other proposals covering development, education, governance and public services, the remuneration revision was highlighted as a pivotal step toward bolstering Uttarakhand’s healthcare delivery system.
