LAHORE: The Punjab government has announced a revised Central Induction Policy-2026 (CIP-2026) for postgraduate training under the FCPS and MD/MS programmes, prompting strong criticism from public sector medical graduates. The policy, critics say, disproportionately favors private and foreign medical graduates, severely limiting opportunities for those from government institutions.
Under the new rules, marks previously awarded for experience in primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare facilities — including basic health units (BHUs), rural health centres (RHCs), tehsil and district hospitals, PESSI hospitals, and jail hospitals — have been reduced by up to 50 percent for the January 2026 induction. More controversially, these marks will be completely abolished for the July 2026 induction and onward.
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Previously, government graduates could earn 10–15 points for service in these health facilities, which were recognized as critical contributions to public healthcare. Critics argue that the new system eliminates recognition for years of work in under-resourced settings, tilting the playing field in favor of private-sector and foreign graduates.
Dr Mian Adnan, former leader of the Young Doctors Association Punjab, warned that the policy “drastically reduces chances for thousands of young doctors to secure residency seats” and discourages those who have served in remote and challenging public healthcare facilities. “It is demoralising, unfair, and disconnected from ground realities,” he said.
Social media platforms have been flooded with complaints from graduates describing the policy as “anti-graduate” and “devastating,” accusing the government of dismantling merit-based recognition for public sector doctors.
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In response, University of Health Sciences Vice Chancellor Prof Ahsan Waheed Rathore defended the policy, stating that both government and private medical graduates were provided equal opportunities under CIP-2026. He added that private graduates also serve in primary and secondary facilities and are therefore eligible for consideration.
The Punjab Health Minister and Secretary did not respond to requests for comment on the controversial policy.