Government to recruit 200 doctors, hire 1,000 on contract, says Khader

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Health minister U.T. Khader speaks at a review meeting with Health Department officials at Praja Soudha, Mangaluru, on June 8, 2026. FILE PHOTO | Photo Credit: H.S. MANJUNATH

The Karnataka government will shortly fill 200 vacant doctor posts through direct recruitment and engage around 1,000 doctors on a contract basis to address the shortage of medical personnel in the public healthcare system, Health and Family Welfare Minister U.T. Khader said on Wednesday.

Addressing presspersons after a departmental review meeting, Mr. Khader said the State was facing a shortage of 1,290 MBBS doctors, 924 specialist doctors and 892 nurses. An action plan had been chalked out to fill these vacancies on priority.

He said approval had been obtained from the Finance Department for recruitment, and the 200 doctor posts would be filled through the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA). “The examination, counselling, and appointment process will be completed on a priority basis,” he said.

Doctors with MBBS or postgraduate medical qualifications can apply directly to the respective District Health Officers (DHOs) for contractual appointments. The government proposes to regularise those who perform satisfactorily for five years, based on their service record, without requiring them to appear for recruitment examinations again.

Mr. Khader said the government was also considering a proposal to allow MBBS doctors serving in government hospitals to pursue postgraduate studies after completing five years of service.

Contract MBBS doctors will receive a monthly salary of ₹60,000, while postgraduate doctors will be paid ₹1.10 lakh. An additional incentive of ₹15,000 a month will be provided to those willing to serve in remote villages, border areas and other difficult locations.

The Minister said retired doctors who are physically and mentally fit would be allowed to continue serving on a contract basis up to the age of 70. The department is also taking steps to recruit 400 pharmacists, 400 nurses,