The Bihar government has announced a major change for postgraduate and diploma medical students. The mandatory service period in government hospitals has been reduced from three years to two years, offering relief to future doctors across the state.
Officials confirmed that while service remains compulsory, students now have a shorter commitment period. Those who fail to complete the mandatory service will still have to pay the prescribed penalty as per government rules.
Bihar Government’s New Rule for PG Medical Students
The new rule applies to all postgraduate (MD/MS) and diploma medical students studying in government and private medical colleges in Bihar. The decision aims to make medical education more flexible while maintaining public healthcare support.
Before this revision, students had to serve three years in government hospitals after completing their courses. The reduced service duration to two years is expected to help students pursue higher studies or private practice sooner.
Bihar’s Growing Medical Education Capacity
Over the past few years, Bihar has been steadily increasing its medical education capacity through new colleges and upgraded infrastructure. According to NEET PG 2025 counselling data, the state has:
Type of College | Number of Seats (Approx.) |
Government Medical Colleges | 703 MBBS seats |
Private Medical Colleges | 280+ MBBS seats |
Some of the major government institutions offering medical education in Bihar include:
Government Medical College | Location |
AIIMS Patna | Patna |
Patna Medical College | Patna |
Anugrah Narayan Magadh Medical College | Gaya |
Gaya Medical College | Gaya |
Government Medical College | Bettiah |
Bihar University Medical College | Muzaffarpur |
These colleges play a crucial role in training doctors and improving healthcare access across both urban and rural regions.
NEET PG Exam and Admission to Medical Courses
To pursue postgraduate medical programs in Bihar, students must qualify for the NEET PG exam, a national-level entrance test conducted by the National Board of Examinations (NBE) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Qualified candidates can apply for MD, MS, and PG Diploma programs through the NEET PG counselling process. The shorter service period makes these programs more appealing by reducing post-study obligations without compromising clinical exposure.
Impact on Students and Bihar’s Healthcare System
Experts believe the decision will benefit both medical students and the healthcare system. Reducing the service period to two years may encourage more students to opt for postgraduate courses in Bihar.
The government aims to strike a balance between medical education and rural healthcare delivery. Students will continue serving in public hospitals and underserved areas, ensuring medical support while enjoying greater flexibility in their professional journeys.
The move has been widely welcomed by the medical community, marking a positive step towards improving medical workforce management and encouraging more students to build their careers in Bihar.
