Greetings, future medical professionals!
The bond policy associated with NEET UG is a crucial aspect that many students overlook before enrolling in a college. A bond is essentially a contract that requires students to serve in rural or government healthcare facilities for a fixed period after completing their medical education. Understanding the Rural Posting Rules in Each State is important, as completing this service is mandatory before you can begin your medical practice or pursue further studies.
Failing to fulfill this bond typically results in a significant penalty amounting to several lakhs of rupees. The bond policy varies by state, with some requiring a 5-year service and others imposing no bond at all. In some states, the penalty can be as high as 25 lakhs, while in others, it might be merely 5 lakhs.
Now, let’s examine the bond policies of different states in more detail. But first, let’s clarify the two types of bonds.
Types of MBBS Bonds (Based on Rural Posting Rules in Each State)
There are two categories of bonds: service bonds and discontinuation bonds. These bonds are applicable to both state quota and All India Quota students enrolled in the college.
Service Bond:
Urban or Rural Service Bond
This bond takes effect after you complete your course. Once you obtain your MBBS degree, you will be required to work as a senior doctor. The state health department will assign a hospital, primary health center, or community health center to all graduates of Government Medical Colleges. You will have to fulfill a specific duration of service at that center.
Your MBBS qualification certificate will only be issued after you fulfill the bond requirements. If you opt out, you will need to pay a certain fee in order to receive your qualification certificate.
Compulsory Rural Service Bond:
This is a specific type of service bond with additional stipulations. In many states, you have the option to complete your compulsory service bond in either an urban area or a rural health centre, as previously stated. However, some states have stricter regulations that require you to work only in rural centres.
Thus, upon completing your MBBS, you are obligated to serve in a PHC/CHC in accordance with the policies of the respective state government. This generally applies to states that provide Scholarship Schemes or Fee Reimbursement schemes for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Discontinue Penalty Bond:
Students are required to finish the MBBS degree once they enroll. Those who wish to withdraw from the program before completing their MBBS degree must also pay a fee. This is referred to as the discontinuation bond.
Bank Guarantee:
To ensure that the student has the financial means to pay the penalty in case they decide to withdraw from the course before completion, certain State Governments mandate a specific bank guarantee. This is obtained for a designated sum at the time of confirming MBBS admission. The nationalized bank will freeze the fixed deposit until the student successfully completes their course and meets the bond requirements. If students fail to fulfill their government service obligation after finishing their MBBS, the bank guarantee will be lost. This situation is akin to how a loan operates.
Regarding deemed and private universities:
Many students inquire whether a bond is necessary when studying at deemed or private universities. In these institutions, there are no MBBS service bonds; instead, they require parents to sign an affidavit to ensure that fees are paid and the course is completed. However, there is no requirement to provide hospital service after finishing the MBBS program.
The only stipulation is that if you decide to discontinue your studies, you will need to pay the full fees for the entire 5-year period.
Furthermore, only certain states require bonds for private and deemed courses.
Some key points to consider:
If the government does not provide a service bond position within three months after completing the MBBS, the bond will be considered null and void, as ruled by the Supreme Court. This means you are released from the bond without incurring any penalties.
If you immediately secure a PG seat in India, you can fulfill the bond obligation after finishing your PG studies.
However, if you instantly obtain a PG position abroad following your MBBS, you will need to pay the penalty before departing. You cannot satisfy the bond obligation after pursuing post-graduation in another country. Alternatively, you may choose to apply for foreign PG programs after completing your bond in India.
In addition to the service bond, some states, including Maharashtra, stipulate that the individual cannot leave the country for five years after completing their MBBS. If they do, they must pay DMER an extra fee of Rs. 10 lakhs.
State-Wise Bond Policy Overview
Final Thoughts :
Choosing an MBBS seat isn’t just about marks and fees — it’s also about understanding the long-term commitments like service bonds and rural postings.
Every state has different rules, and ignoring these can lead to financial stress or unwanted career delays.
Compulsory service is meant to strengthen rural healthcare, but it also means you must plan your post-MBBS years accordingly.