On October 5, 2025, as PHC doctors in Vijayawada launched a hunger strike, Andhra Pradesh’s Health and Family Welfare Commissioner, G. Veerapandian, announced a significant concession: the state government would increase the in-service quota for clinical branches to 20% for the current year, up from the previous 15%.
Veerapandian further clarified that this expanded quota, previously limited to just seven clinical specializations, would now cover all 15 branches, broadening opportunities for PHC doctors.
This crucial decision followed a meeting between the Commissioner and the striking PHC doctors at the Director of Public Health’s office.
A departmental press release stated that the Commissioner assured the doctors that the government was actively addressing their other concerns, such as pending allowances and requests for time-bound promotions.
During an earlier meeting on October 1, Health Department officials had already committed to making the 15% quota applicable across all clinical branches.
However, as doctors pressed on with their strike for an even higher quota, Health and Medical Education Minister Satya Kumar Yadav intervened, bringing the matter to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s attention. This intervention led to the final decision to increase the quota to 20%, as confirmed by Mr. Veerapandian.
He stated that official orders would be issued promptly and urged the doctors, who had been on strike since September 29, to return to their duties.
Despite this breakthrough, the PHC doctors firmly reiterated their primary demand: the 20% quota must be guaranteed for a period of five years.
One doctor, participating in the Vijayawada hunger strike, emphasized their frustration: “Last year, we protested statewide for more PG medical course seats. This year, we’re doing it again. We cannot be expected to protest annually for the same issue.”
A.P. PHC Doctors’ Association spokesperson, Vinod Kumar, highlighted that their current demand was merely for the government to uphold its previous commitment. “The Health Minister himself announced a 20% quota last year to placate us after our protests. This year, the government reneged on that promise,” Dr. Kumar stated.
Consequently, Dr. Vinod Kumar confirmed that the strike would continue until the government provided a firm, written assurance that this new agreement would not be overturned again.
Government Cites Feasibility Concerns
Explaining the government’s hesitation to commit to a five-year, 20% quota, Mr. Veerapandian elaborated that between November 2025 and November 2027, 1,089 doctors who pursued PG courses via the in-service quota are expected to join government teaching hospitals. He warned that maintaining a 20% quota for five years would lead to an insufficient number of vacancies to accommodate all these doctors.