Faculty members from AIIMS Delhi and PGIMER Chandigarh held a protest march inside the AIIMS Delhi campus on August 01, Friday’s evening, renewing their longstanding demand for the implementation of a rotatory headship system. Although the group of around 50 doctors intended to march towards Parliament, Delhi Police prevented them from proceeding further due to the absence of official permission.
The protestors carried placards bearing slogans such as “Justice delayed is justice denied” and “Equal opportunity for all, rotatory headship,” highlighting their call for administrative reform and equitable leadership.
Following the protest, representatives from the Faculty Associations were invited for a meeting with the AIIMS Director and the Additional Director (Administration). During the discussion, the faculty members expressed their concerns and stressed the urgency of the matter. “They reassured us that steps would be taken to reach a time-bound and positive resolution,” said Dr Amarinder Singh Malhi, General Secretary of the Faculty Association of AIIMS.
The demand for a rotatory headship system has been raised by faculty members at both AIIMS Delhi and PGIMER Chandigarh for over a decade. Multiple committees formed by the central government have reviewed the matter, with most recommending the adoption of the policy in principle.
This protest is the latest in a series of peaceful demonstrations that have included black badge campaigns in May, relay hunger strikes starting June 2025 under banners like “Hunger for Justice” and “Relay for Change,” and symbolic protests on Doctors’ Day where faculty members donned black clothing and continued their hunger strike.
According to the associations, implementing a rotatory headship policy would bring greater transparency, fairness, and efficiency in the administration of premier medical institutions like AIIMS Delhi and PGIMER Chandigarh. They also pointed out that several top medical institutes such as IMS-BHU Varanasi, NIMHANS Bengaluru, JIPMER Puducherry, and CMC Vellore already follow this system, with their faculties reportedly satisfied with the structure.
