SC Commission Issues Notice to Govt, AIIMS on UDFA Petition Alleging Exploitation of SC Medical Students
New Delhi, October 1:
In a major development, the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has slapped a notice on the Union Health Ministry and AIIMS Delhi after the United Doctors Front Association (UDFA) petitioned against alleged caste-based discrimination and exploitative work conditions faced by SC postgraduate medical students.
The NCSC, a constitutional body empowered to safeguard the rights of Scheduled Castes, has sought a reply from the Health Ministry Secretary and AIIMS Director within 15 days on the allegations.
UDFA Chairperson Dr. Lakshya Mittal expressed hope that this intervention would finally bring justice to SC PG medical students who, he said, have faced years of “systemic exploitation and discrimination.”
The petition accuses AIIMS and several other medical institutions across the country of flouting the 1992 Residency Scheme rules, forcing SC students into backbreaking shifts of 24 to 36 hours at a stretch.
According to UDFA, this inhuman workload has led to a surge in cases of mental depression, suicides, and students abandoning their seats.
“This is not just about long duty hours—it’s about a cycle of discrimination that breaks students mentally and professionally. Until this exploitation stops, our fight will continue,” UDFA said in a strong statement.
With the NCSC stepping in, the spotlight is now firmly on AIIMS and the Health Ministry.
If the Commission pushes ahead, this case could have far-reaching implications for how India’s premier medical institutions treat their Scheduled Caste students.
#UDFA #AIIMS #SCStudents #MedicalExploitation #NCSC #SocialJustice #HealthMinistry #StudentRights