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How ESIC’s 2.5-Year Delayed Hiring Process Ruining Careers of Medical Professionals: Is Fairness Being Ignored?

The right to education and employment are fundamental under Indian law, yet ESIC is denying both. The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) is meant to provide healthcare security, yet its own hiring process has failed hundreds of doctors. Despite a 2.5-year-long selection ordeal, candidates who cleared all stages—written exams, interviews, and final merit lists are still waiting for the confirmation from ESIC to join.
Worse, ESIC is refusing to let selected doctors join, even when they are on the verge of completing their postgraduate courses. This bureaucratic delay not only violates principles of fairness but also denies qualified professionals their rightful employment. The situation has forced 115 doctors, led by Dr. Gopika Krishnan, to file a case (OA No. 1013/2025) against ESIC, demanding justice.

ESIC’s Unreasonable Stand: Denying Extensions Despite Delays
In its reply to the tribunal, ESIC cited DoPT guidelines, claiming that extensions beyond six months cannot be granted. However, this argument ignores its own role in causing the delay.

Key Failures of ESIC:
Unprecedented 2.5-year delay from notification to final merit list.
No valid justification for the prolonged hiring process.
Refusal to accommodate candidates who are completing their PG courses in a few months.
Ignoring the fact that if ESIC had conducted the process on time, doctors would have joined earlier.

Timeline of ESIC’s Delayed Selection Process
The shocking delays in ESIC’s recruitment reveal a complete lack of efficiency and accountability:
14.12.2021 – ESIC advertised 1,120 vacancies for Insurance Medical Officer (IMO) Gr-II.
30.03.2022 – Online exam conducted after a 3-month gap.
18.05.2022 – Results declared, 3,702 candidates shortlisted for interviews.
28.11.2023 to 09.01.2024 – Interviews held after an unacceptable 1.5-year delay (545 days).
21.02.2024 – Final merit list published, yet acceptance to join after the completion of the ongoing PG course, which is to be completed in a few months remain pending.

Total delay: 2.5 years and counting.
Legal Battle: Doctors Fighting for Their Right to Employment
Frustrated by ESIC’s inaction, Dr. Gopika Krishnan & 114 others filed a case (OA No. 1013/2025) seeking:
Permission to join after completing their PG courses (which will end in a few months).
Fair consideration since the delay was caused by ESIC, not the candidates.

ESIC’s Flawed Defense:
Hiding behind DoPT rules while ignoring its own inefficiency.
Denying extensions despite knowing candidates would have joined earlier if not for ESIC’s delays.
Wasting talent by forcing doctors to choose between education and employment.

How ESIC Benefits by Appointing These PG-Completing Doctors.

1. Highly Skilled Workforce – Doctors completing PG courses bring advanced medical expertise, improving ESIC hospital services.

2. Better Patient Care – Specialized training means higher-quality treatment for ESIC beneficiaries.

3. Reduced Attrition – Granting extensions ensures long-term retention of qualified doctors instead of losing them to private sectors.

4. Legal & Ethical Compliance – Respects candidates’ right to education while fulfilling ESIC’s duty to hire fairly.

5. Improved Reputation – Shows ESIC as an employee-friendly organization, attracting better talent in future recruitments.

6. Optimal Resource Utilization – Avoids repeating recruitment cycles, saving time and taxpayer money.

7. Win-Win Solution – Doctors get job security, ESIC gets more competent professionals, and patients receive superior care.

Conclusion: ESIC Must Act Fairly & Expedite Appointments
The right to education and employment are fundamental under Indian law, yet ESIC is denying both. Instead of penalizing candidates for its own delays, ESIC should:
✔ Allow selected doctors to join after completing their PG courses.
✔ Ensure transparency in future recruitments to prevent such issues.
The careers of hundreds of doctors hang in the balance—will ESIC finally do the right thing?