Dehradun – To attract medical professionals to its far‑flung districts, the Uttarakhand government has overhauled the compensation package for resident doctors and demonstrators posted at state‑run medical colleges. The revised structure adds a location‑based premium for postings in the hilly terrain, where staffing shortages have long been a concern.
Significant rise for senior residents
From today onward, senior residents serving in mountainous areas will draw ₹1.10 lakh per month, up from the earlier ₹90,000. Their counterparts on the plains will see their salary rise to ₹1.05 lakh, an increase from ₹84,000.
Junior residents also see a boost
Junior residents stationed in the hills will now be paid ₹85,000 a month, a jump from ₹76,000. Those working in the low‑lying regions will have their remuneration lifted to ₹80,000, up from ₹71,000.
Adjusted remuneration for demonstrators
The same differential has been applied to demonstrators. In hill postings, their monthly earnings will rise to ₹85,000 (previously ₹76,000), while demonstrators on the plains will receive ₹80,000 instead of ₹71,000.
Why the location‑based pay gap?
Officials say the higher wages for mountain assignments are meant to make these posts more appealing, thereby closing the persistent vacancy gap in government hospitals across Uttarakhand’s rugged districts. The new figures are also expected to aid medical colleges in retaining residents, strengthening both patient care and academic programmes.
Current staffing records indicate that the state’s government medical colleges employ 251 junior residents, 246 senior residents, and 134 demonstrators. The salary uplift will translate into a notable increase in monthly earnings for each of these groups.
Tackling the doctor deficit
This move comes amid ongoing worries about the shortage of doctors in public health facilities, especially in the high‑altitude districts where many departments operate below sanctioned strength. By introducing a financial incentive, the government hopes to persuade more physicians to accept or continue hill‑area postings, easing the strain on understaffed hospitals.
Alongside 23 other initiatives covering development, education, governance and public services, the salary revision was highlighted as a pivotal step toward bolstering Uttarakhand’s healthcare delivery system.
