One-Third of AIIMS Faculty Positions Remain Vacant, Government Confirms

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has disclosed that 34.6% of faculty positions at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) remain unfilled, despite efforts to address the shortfall. This information was shared during a parliamentary session in response to a query from Lok Sabha MP Murari Lal Meena.

2,181 Faculty Vacancies Across 20 AIIMS

Out of 6,304 sanctioned faculty posts across 20 AIIMS, 2,181 positions are currently vacant. Non-faculty positions also face significant shortages, with 15,159 of the 59,225 sanctioned posts unoccupied, amounting to a vacancy rate of over 25%.

AIIMS New Delhi, the flagship institution, is grappling with 436 vacant faculty positions out of its 1,313 sanctioned posts. Non-faculty vacancies at the institute stand at 2,461, despite a sanctioned strength of 13,913.

Improvement in Vacancy Rates Since 2023

The government highlighted a decline in vacancy rates over the past three years. Faculty vacancies have reduced from 39.22% in 2023-24 to 34.6% in 2026-27. Similarly, non-faculty vacancy rates have dropped from 39.19% to 25.6% during the same period.

Recruitment Challenges and Measures

The Ministry attributed the vacancies to factors such as the availability of qualified professionals, reservation policies, and the geographic location of AIIMS campuses. To address these challenges, several measures have been implemented:

• Standing Selection Committees: Each AIIMS has a dedicated committee to expedite faculty recruitment.
• Engagement of Retired Faculty: Retired professors and associate professors from Institutes of National Importance and government medical colleges can now serve on a contract basis until the age of 70.
• Visiting Faculty Scheme: This allows experienced professors from Indian and international institutions to teach at newer AIIMS.
• Centralized Recruitment Exams: AIIMS Delhi conducts the Nursing Officer Recruitment Common Eligibility Test (NORCET) and the Common Recruitment Examination (CRE) for non-faculty roles. Additionally, the Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test (INI-CET) and the Institute of National Importance Super Speciality (INI-SS) Exam are held twice annually for junior and senior resident positions.

Why This Matters

AIIMS institutions are critical to India’s healthcare and medical education systems. Persistent vacancies, particularly in faculty roles, could undermine the quality of education and patient care. While the government has made progress in reducing vacancy rates, the current shortfall underscores the need for sustained efforts to attract and retain qualified professionals.

Source: Indian Express