Chandigarh, September 16, 2026: The Chandigarh Administration has notified the UT Chandigarh Health Service Rules (Group-A General Duty Medical Officer Sub-Cadre in Health Department), 2026, laying down provisions related to recruitment, promotion, service conditions and the cadre structure for General Duty Medical Officers.
The rules have been notified under Article 309 of the Constitution and will come into force from the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.
Six levels included in health service
The notified service structure includes Group-A positions such as Medical Officer, Senior Medical Officer, Chief Medical Officer, Additional Director, Director (Hospital) and Director (Administration).
According to the notification, the present sanctioned strength includes 186 posts at the levels of Medical Officer, Senior Medical Officer and Chief Medical Officer.
The schedule currently shows no sanctioned posts at the levels of Additional Director, Director (Hospital) and Director (Administration). The administration can revise the sanctioned strength according to future requirements.
Promotion under DACP scheme
The rules provide for promotion under the Dynamic Assured Career Progression (DACP) Scheme, allowing eligible officers to progress through the hierarchy on a time-bound basis, subject to the prescribed service and performance requirements.
A Medical Officer is placed at Level-10, with a pay scale of ₹56,100–₹1,77,500. A Medical Officer becomes eligible for promotion to Senior Medical Officer after eight years of regular service, while a Senior Medical Officer can be considered for promotion to Chief Medical Officer after five years.
Recruitment through deputation and direct recruitment
The rules provide for recruitment of Medical Officers through deputation and direct recruitment in a 60:40 ratio.
Where posts earmarked for deputation remain vacant, they can be filled through direct recruitment, and vice versa, according to the notified provisions.
For direct recruitment, candidates are required to possess a recognised MBBS degree and have completed the compulsory rotating internship. The prescribed age limit is 35 years, with applicable relaxations for government employees.
Selection includes a written examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), followed by an interview or other prescribed selection process.
Private practice prohibited
The notified rules also prohibit officers appointed under the service from undertaking private practice of any kind, including consultation and laboratory work.
Eligible medical practitioners will receive a non-practising allowance at rates determined by the government.
Promotion committees specified
The rules lay down the mechanism for departmental promotions up to the level of Director (Hospital).
Senior-level promotions will be considered by a committee headed by the Chief Secretary of UT Chandigarh, with senior officials from the Health and Personnel departments forming part of the committee.
The notification provides a formal framework for recruitment and career progression of Group-A General Duty Medical Officers in Chandigarh’s Health Department.
Source: Babushahi Network / ANI / Chandigarh Administration.
