Delhi: Hundreds of doctors who served Delhiites tirelessly in state-run government hospitals for over 25 years are now running from pillar to post, fighting for justice and a dignified retired life with a proper pension.
Retired doctors appointed under the Delhi Health Services (DHS) in 1996, 1997, and 2002 on a contractual and ad hoc basis are being paid pensions under the New Pension Scheme (NPS), which was notified in 2004.
Doctors claim that despite winning several legal battles, they are still not being paid under the old pension scheme, as they had been serving before the NPS was introduced. They argue that after years of selfless service in the national capital, they have the right to lead a dignified life post-retirement.
Many doctors pointed out that those who retired from positions earning over Rs 3 lakh per month are now receiving a mere Rs 8,000 to 9,000 as a monthly pension.
Currently, the case against the Delhi government is ongoing in the Delhi High Court.
Retired doctors speak out
Speaking to Patriot, Dr Reeta Mongia, a retired doctor from a Delhi government hospital, shared her distress over the meagre pension she receives.
“I am not able to afford even medicines and vegetables in this rising inflation, as I get only Rs 8,000 as pension under the NPS. Meanwhile, other doctors appointed on regularised posts are getting pensions of over Rs 1 lakh,” Dr Mongia said.
She pointed out that legal precedents, such as Paliya (1998), establish that these doctors should receive full benefits dating back to their 1996 appointments. “Many General Duty Medical Officers (GDMOs) from the 1996 batch obtained court rulings affirming their rights. The Delhi government then took the matter to the Delhi High Court, where the bench also ruled in favour of the doctors,” she informed.
However, in a controversial move, the Delhi government started treating their employment as fresh from 2009, stripping them of their rightful seniority, promotions, and pension benefits that should have accrued since 1996, she alleged.
“In 2009, the Delhi government introduced new cadre rules (6-2, 9-4, 14-2c), further limiting affected doctors’ chances of obtaining proper recognition, retirement benefits, and promotions,” she claimed.
“These changes have led to mounting demands from doctors, including the scrapping of the restrictive cadre rules, recognition of seniority from 1996, restoration of the old non-contributory pension system, and the refund of deductions made under the NPS,” Dr Mongia added.
Serving doctors worried too
More than 500 doctors in the capital are grappling with immense mental stress due to the ongoing issue. Even those still serving in government hospitals fear they will face the same situation upon retirement.
A doctor, speaking on the condition of anonymity, shared his concerns: “I have only seven years left in service before retiring from DDU Hospital. At 55, the only thought that troubles me is how I will survive post-retirement without a pension. After dedicating decades to this profession, the uncertainty of financial security is deeply worrying. The government needs to address this issue before more retired doctors are left struggling to make ends meet.”
Dr Yogendra Gupta, a retired Ayurveda specialist, expressed his frustration. “I retired in 2014, and since then, I haven’t received even a single rupee in the name of a pension.”
“The Delhi government is stripping retired doctors of the right to live a dignified life after serving in government hospitals. We worked tirelessly for over 36 hours during emergencies without thinking about our own health, yet no one recognises our efforts. After retirement, we are left with nothing despite fighting a legal battle. This is extremely disappointing and heart-wrenching,” Dr Gupta said.
Another retired doctor, Dr RK Chopra, who retired in 2024, shared similar concerns. “I am receiving only Rs 9,000 as a pension, which is not enough to cover household expenses. I have to beg in front of my children. This is the reality of doctors who served the government tirelessly for decades,” he said.
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“In court, we get date after date, but no real solution. It is unfair that the doctors who saved thousands of lives are now denied a dignified retirement,” Dr Chopra added.
‘We are left dependent’
Dr Jaishree, another retired doctor, described her struggles, saying, “After dedicating my entire life to the medical profession and serving the government for decades, I never imagined my retirement years would be filled with financial hardship. The pension we receive is so inadequate that it barely covers basic expenses, leaving us dependent on our children for survival. It is heartbreaking and humiliating to beg for support after working tirelessly to save countless lives.”
She further added, “We have been knocking on the doors of the court, hoping for justice, but all we get are endless delays and no real solution. The system has turned a blind eye to the very doctors who once stood on the frontline protecting public health. This is not just unfair—it is an insult to the sacrifices we made. Retired doctors deserve a dignified life, not one filled with uncertainty and hardship.”
