AIIMS Delhi & PGI Chandigarh Urge Policy Implementation. Faculty associations of AIIMS Delhi and PGI Chandigarh are calling for the urgent implementation of the rotatory headship policy, a governance reform that has long been promised but remains unfulfilled.
What Is Rotatory Headship and Why It Matters
The rotatory headship policy involves the periodic rotation of department heads to ensure fair leadership opportunities for all eligible faculty members. This system is designed to promote transparency, democratic governance, and prevent the monopolization of leadership roles.
The faculty associations from All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi and Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGI) Chandigarh emphasized that rotatory headship, along with a collegium-based system, is critical for establishing a balanced and inclusive academic environment.
Timeline of Developments
- On April 16, 2025, the Faculty Association of AIIMS Delhi held a General Body Meeting to address the continued delay in policy implementation.
- A day later, on April 17, PGI Chandigarh’s Faculty Association also convened a meeting echoing the same concerns.
- Both associations issued a joint statement urging the immediate rollout of the policy, stating it is crucial for “fair, transparent, and democratic governance” in premier medical institutions.
Policy Commitment vs. Ground Reality
In 2023, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, formally committed to implementing the rotatory headship policy at AIIMS Delhi and PGI Chandigarh by June 2024. However, nearly a year later, no concrete steps have been taken, leading to growing frustration among faculty members.
Despite multiple rounds of communication with officials from the Union Health Ministry, faculty representatives have not received any direct response from the Union Health Minister. The matter continues to be indefinitely postponed without valid reasons.
Faculty Associations Issue 14-Day Deadline
Frustrated by bureaucratic delays, both faculty associations have now issued a 14-day ultimatum starting from April 17, 2025. If the government fails to act by May 1, faculty members plan to initiate a phased protest.
Planned Protest Schedule:
- Month 1: Faculty members will wear Black Badges in silent protest.
- Month 2: The protest will escalate to a Relay Hunger Strike.
- If no action is taken after these measures, stronger protest actions are planned.
Call to Action for the Ministry
In their joint statement, the associations urged the Ministry to honor its own commitments and avoid unnecessary conflict.“We urge the Ministry to honor its own commitment and avoid a situation where faculty are forced into protest to achieve a policy that has already been promised,” the statement read.
Conclusion
The delay in implementing the rotatory headship policy at AIIMS Delhi and PGI Chandigarh not only undermines institutional governance but also erodes trust between the faculty and the administrative bodies. The faculty associations have now made it clear that further inaction will not be tolerated, and protests are inevitable unless immediate steps are taken.