An alarming trend sees postgraduate doctors abandoning prestigious programs at AIIMS and JIPMER due to harsh conditions and limited training.
Recent findings highlight a troubling trend within India’s top medical institutions, as postgraduate doctors are increasingly leaving their programs mid-course. Data retrieved through Right to Information (RTI) requests reveal that these departures stem from a combination of long hours, adverse working conditions, and insufficient training.
Doctors Leaving in Droves
The United Doctors Front (UDF) disclosed that 233 postgraduate doctors discontinued their studies in 2025 across ten esteemed institutions. This statistic corresponds to a notable exit rate of 15.7 per 100 admissions, with 1,480 postgraduate seats filled at AIIMS locations and JIPMER.
Particularly concerning are the figures from JIPMER, which indicated a staggering 30% dropout rate in 2024 and 23.5% in 2025. AIIMS Delhi followed, showing similar trends with 18.5% exits in 2024 dropping to 12.7% the subsequent year.
JIPMER and AIIMS: A Closer Look
Breaking down the data further, AIIMS Gorakhpur reported the highest rate of exits, with 37.3% of its residents departing after 2025, while AIIMS Patna and Kalyani also faced significant dropout numbers. These figures raise red flags regarding the sustainability of the medical workforce at these institutions.
Dr. Lakshya Mittal, chair of UDF, voiced concerns over the significant disconnect between the initial fight to secure these competitive seats and the reality that many graduates now encounter in these institutions. “They strive for a place in our country’s top medical schools, only to find overwhelming challenges that drive them away,