AIIMS, PGIMER Faculty Bodies to protest with Black Badges against delay in Rotatory Headship

The faculty associations of two of the country’s premier medical institutions—AIIMS, New Delhi and PGIMER, Chandigarh—have expressed deep dissatisfaction over the delay in implementing the rotatory headship system. As a mark of protest, faculty members from both institutions have begun wearing black badges starting from May 1.

This decision comes in the backdrop of the Health Ministry-appointed committee formed in August 2022, which was tasked with submitting a report on rotatory headship and other administrative reforms. The committee, chaired by NITI Aayog member Dr. V.K. Paul, has yet to submit its recommendations to the government.

The faculty associations assert that all members of the committee have already provided their inputs, yet the report has not been finalized. They consider this delay a serious administrative hurdle that is affecting the efficiency of the institutions.

Under the rotatory headship system, the tenure of department heads is limited and passed on in a rotating manner to other senior members. This system promotes transparency, accountability, and balanced leadership opportunities. It is already in practice at other leading institutions like IMS-BHU, JIPMER, NIMHANS, and CMC Vellore.

The faculty bodies also reminded that Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya had responded positively to the proposal in January 2023 and had assured its early implementation.

They have urged the government to take prompt action to ensure that Dr. V.K. Paul submits the report soon. If a decision is not taken quickly, the protest may escalate in intensity and scale.