Uttar Pradesh MBBS doctors protest pay disparity, await salary arrears; declare a boycott of work

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Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) doctors serving under the compulsory state bond rules of Uttar Pradesh staged a protest in Lucknow on Tuesday (Oct 13, 2026) demanding equal pay for equal work and release of salary arrears, leading to a standoff and a clash with the police.

The doctors also announced a work boycott, adding that despite assurances to address the pay gap, no action or decision had been taken.

“While working in Primary Health Centers (PHCs), I get only around ₹50,000, while fellows with the same qualification posted in Government Medical Colleges get much higher salary on a level 10 scale; even doctors working in the same Primary Health Centers (PHCs) and Community Health Centers (CHCs) get paid more than one million per month as they are employed under National Health Mission NH qualification (National Health Mission NH require salary) the same,” said Animesh Kumar, MBBS doctor.

Uttar Pradesh requires two years of compulsory service for MBBS or BDS students from the state’s state medical college.

“No action has been taken on the assurance regarding the salary disparity of doctors sent on two-year bail. On 2nd September 2026, Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister Brijesh Pathak assured that the government will issue a government order. Despite this, no government order has been issued. We have brought this serious issue to the attention of the government through peaceful protests, demonstrations and long meetings with the relevant officials. He prioritized the interests of patients. Not issuing a government order the order, despite repeated efforts, has increased frustration and anger among us,” said another doctor, Sukriti Pandey.

The opposition claimed it was part of a government strategy to disrupt government healthcare so corporations could take control.

“It is unfortunate that young doctors in UP serving in PHC/CHC are being forced to agitate on the streets of the capital city for their rightful demands of pay parity which has already been promised by the Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister. Samajwadi Party condemns the brutality of police forces against young doctors including women doctors. I feel it is part of the government’s strategy to disrupt the government’s health sector, if GGTajwa is formed then di V 2027, the legitimate demands of doctors will be met at the earliest,” said Sudhir Panwar, a senior Samajwadi Party (SP) leader.

“BJP’s main objective is to damage the trust of all stakeholders, including doctors, in the government system. Health is a basic necessity of every society. If doctors are paid improperly and unevenly, it will impact their productivity and ultimately damage the public healthcare system. BJP wants to help big private corporate players enter smaller towns and villages so that people from marginalized sections can be looted by high-end private hospitals from YaUP,” said a senior YaUP representative.

Published – 14 Oct 2026 07:56 IST