Retirement age of medical officers in central govt service raised to 65 years

The union cabinet on Wednesday gave its approval for enhancement of the age of superannuation of public health specialists (non-teaching), including doctors and general duty medical officers (GDMOs) of central health service, from 62 years to 65 years.

The decision would help in better patient care, proper academic activities in medical colleges as also in effective implementation of National Health Programmes for delivery of health care services by making available increased number of trained personnel, a health ministry release stated.

There is no financial implications as the vacant posts would have to be filled up quickly to ensure continuity of patient care, it added.

The age of superannuation in respect of all four sub-cadres of central health service was 60 years prior to 2006.

A cabinet meeting on 2 November 2006 approved an enhancement of age of superannuation of the three specialists sub-cadres (teaching, non-teaching and public health), except GDMO sub cadre, from 60 to 62 years.

The age of superannuation of teaching sub-cadre was further enhanced from 62 to 65 years at the cabinet meeting held on 5 June 2008 in view of huge shortfall of teaching specialists. The approval was, however, limited to teaching specialists engaged in teaching activities only and not occupying administrative positions.