Srinagar, Jun 17: Govt. Medical College (GMC) Srinagar on Wednesday implemented the rotational headship policy across several departments, a day after the Health and Medical Education (H&ME) Department directed all Government Medical and Dental Colleges in J&K to strictly enforce the government order governing rotational leadership positions.
As per an official communication issued by H&ME Department on June 16, 2026, the Administrative Department reminded Principals of all Government Medical and Dental Colleges to ensure strict implementation of Government Order No. 527-JK(HME) of 2023 dated June 22, 2023, which introduced rotational headship in Government Medical and Dental Colleges of Jammu and Kashmir.
The communication stated that institutions must review existing headship positions in all departments and take necessary measures to implement rotational headship wherever due in accordance with the provisions of the government order. The colleges were also directed to furnish a compliance report to the department within two days.
Acting swiftly on the directive, GMC Srinagar in an order has designated senior-most eligible professors as Heads of Departments (HoDs) in various disciplines under the policy.
The order stated that the appointments were made in compliance with Government Order No. 527-JK(HME) of 2023 and the H&ME Department’s latest instructions.
As per the order, Prof. (Dr.) Afroz Ahmad Khan has been designated as Head of the Department of Ophthalmology from June 17, 2026, to May 31, 2028.
Prof. (Dr.) Lateef Ahmad Wani will head the Department of Pathology till June 16, 2028, while Prof. (Dr.) Mohd Ismail has been appointed Head of the Department of Medicine for the same period.
Similarly, Prof. (Dr.) Suhail Ahmad Gilkar has been designated Head of Physiology and Prof. (Dr.) M. R. Attri as Head of Surgery, both up to June 16, 2028.
Prof. (Dr.) Javid Iqbal Naqshbandi has been appointed Head of Anaesthesiology till November 30, 2027, whereas Prof. (Dr.) Khurshid Ahmad Dar will head the Department of Respiratory Medicine till April 30, 2028.
The order further names Prof. (Dr.) Imtiyaz Hussain Dar as Head of Orthopaedics till April 30, 2027, Prof. (Dr.) Bashir Ahmad Shah as Head of Anatomy till June 16, 2028, and Prof. (Dr.) Showkat Ahmad Showkat as Head of ENT till June 16, 2028.
In addition, Prof. (Dr.) Bashir Ahmad Naikoo has been designated Head of Cardiology till May 31, 2027, while Prof. (Dr.) Mushood G Nabi will head Radiation Oncology till June 16, 2028.
Prof. (Dr.) Roohi Ashraf has been appointed Head of Biochemistry and Prof. (Dr.) Mohd Iqbal Pandit Head of Community Medicine, both up to June 16, 2028.
The development marks one of the first major implementations of the rotational headship policy following the fresh reminder issued by the H&ME Department.
The policy aims to ensure a transparent and uniform system of departmental leadership in Medical and Dental Colleges by allowing eligible senior professors to assume headship responsibilities on a rotational basis.
Officials said the move is expected to bring administrative continuity, equitable opportunities in academic leadership, and adherence to the provisions laid down under the 2023 government order.
Other Government Medical and Dental Colleges in the Union Territory are also expected to review their existing departmental headship arrangements and submit compliance reports to the Administrative Department within the stipulated timeframe.
