Leh, Oct 20: Ladakh’s first government medical college is expected to become operational from the 2027-28 academic session after the Union Health Ministry granted a one-time relaxation allowing recruitment of faculty and support staff before completion of 80 per cent of the required infrastructure, officials said.
The relaxation will enable the Union Territory administration to begin recruitment against 103 sanctioned regular posts while construction of the Government Medical College at Stipuk Pharka continues.
According to officials, the approval was conveyed through a letter dated October 13, following a request by Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena to Union Health Minister J P Nadda.
Saxena welcomed the decision, saying it would help ensure that the institution begins academic activities as scheduled.
“I sincerely thank Health Minister J P Nadda ji for taking cognisance of my request and granting a one-time relaxation from 80 per cent completion of the infrastructure before initiating recruitment of faculty and support staff,” Saxena said in a post on X.
The ministry’s communication said the Department of Expenditure had examined the proposal and agreed to the relaxation subject to certain conditions.
The 103 regular posts were sanctioned on November 27, 2024, and recruitment will be undertaken in phases according to academic requirements from the 2027-28 session.
The ministry has directed that all appointments be made on a regular basis in accordance with approved recruitment rules.
It has also stipulated that any temporary arrangements made to start the college must be shifted to the permanent campus once the infrastructure at Stipuk Pharka is completed.
The administration has been asked to establish reasonable timelines for completing the infrastructure and inform the Department of Expenditure when the transition takes place.
The proposed institution is expected to provide medical education opportunities within Ladakh, where students currently face limited local options for pursuing professional medical courses.
Officials said the college would also help strengthen healthcare services in the region, where difficult terrain, harsh winters and geographical isolation often affect access to specialised treatment.
Saxena said the administration would make the necessary arrangements to receive the first batch of medical students in the 2027-28 academic session.
The relaxation is expected to allow staffing and infrastructure development to proceed simultaneously, helping the administration prepare the institution for its scheduled opening.
