Centre relaxes infrastructure condition after L-G Saxena’s request, clearing phased recruitment for 103 post
Leh, October 20: Ladakh’s long wait for its own medical college is nearing its end. The Union Health Ministry has approved the operationalisation of the Union Territory’s first Government Medical College in Leh from the 2027-28 academic year, following an intervention by Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena.
The approval allows recruitment against 103 sanctioned regular posts to begin in phases, in line with academic needs. On July 13, Saxena had written to Union Health Minister JP Nadda seeking a one-time relaxation of the rule that requires about 80% of infrastructure to be completed before faculty and support staff can be hired. The aim was to start preparatory recruitment on time while construction of the permanent campus continues.
The ministry agreed. It said recruitment will be staggered from 2027-28 based on requirements identified by the UT administration. The administration must fill the posts on a regular basis under the approved recruitment rules and move the college to its dedicated campus once it is ready.
As an interim arrangement, two newly built buildings will serve as the academic block and students’ hostel. The existing 200-bed SNM Hospital, with around 60 experienced doctors, will provide clinical training for the first MBBS batch.
Thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nadda, Saxena called the approval a milestone that fulfils a long-held aspiration of Ladakh’s people. He said the college would give local youth access to quality medical education while strengthening healthcare in the region.
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