Why is the 2020-MBBS batch worried about application deadline for recruitment of Medical Officers?

The Health Department Haryana has invited online applications for the recruitment of 450 posts of Medical Officers (Haryana Civil Medical Services Group-A) in the state. But students of the MBBS batch of 2020 have expressed concerns with the deadline fixed for the online application and sought extension in the eligibility date for recruitment as the current date will leave the entire batch ineligible, despite the fact that their internship completion is only a few weeks away.

What is the current deadline for the online applications?

The Director General Health Services, Haryana, has invited online application for filling 450 vacant posts of medical officer in various health institutions of the state on regular basis. The closing date of the submission of online application is January 7, 2026.

 What are concerns of the students?

The students of the MBBS batch of 2020 have requested the Haryana Government to extend eligibility date for the recruitment. The students say that they had been told to ensure that their eligibility for the post as per the service rules and essential qualifications mentioned in the notification, including completion of the internship and possession of provisional/permanent registration, was to be determined on closing date of the application.

They further said that students of the MBBS batch of 2020 across Haryana would be completing their internship in early March 2026. Many Haryana domicile students studying in medical colleges outside the state would complete their internship later in March 2026, due to variations in academic calendars, students said. “The current cut-off date of January 7, 2026, will make the entire batch ineligible, despite the fact that internship completion is only a few weeks away,” students said.

What has been mentioned in representations sent by student groups?

The students of the MBBS batch of 2020 from various medical colleges of Haryana in representations to Chief Minister, Health Minister, Additional Chief Secretary, Health, and Director General Health Services Haryana, stated that the 2020 batch was the COVID-19 batch, whose academic schedule and internship timeline were significantly disrupted. It was also the first batch under the newly introduced Haryana Government bond policy, resulting in administrative and academic delays beyond students’ control.

The students requested that the eligibility cut-off date for internship completion and registration be extended to March 31, 2026. The extension would allow all eligible Haryana domicile students of the 2020 batch to participate in the recruitment process without requiring any change in the examination schedule.

What have students been planning further?

As per information, students have planned to meet the Haryana Health Minister, the Additional Chief Secretary, Health, and the Director General Health Services in the coming week, to request for extension of the deadline. The students said since the next cycle of recruitment was unlikely to be announced soon, they would seek an opportunity to participate in the current cycle. Students said they were hopeful that the government would consider their request and grant some relaxation. If the deadline was not extended, they would approach the Punjab and Haryana High Court, students said.