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Specialist Doctors to be appointed in Andaman and Nicobar Islands: MoS Health

New Delhi: Smt. Anupriya Patel, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, clarified the Government’s position on the long-standing issue of specialist doctor vacancies in the Andaman & Nicobar (A&N) Islands. During a response to a Lok Sabha Question on 5 December 2025, she highlighted the steps taken by the Ministry to strengthen healthcare services in the Union Territory.

One of the core mechanisms for filling vacant specialist positions involves recruitment through the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The Ministry sends requisitions to UPSC based on the number of available posts, after which UPSC conducts interviews and recommends qualified candidates for appointment.

To address immediate needs, the Ministry has granted administrative approval to the A&N Islands Administration to engage specialist doctors on a contractual basis for one year or until regular appointments are made.

Smt. Patel also confirmed that specialist doctors have been posted to the islands on a rotational basis.

Also Read:227 specialist doctors join 142 Govt Hospitals in Andhra Pradesh

The questions were raised in the Lok Sabha by Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, Member of Parliament from the Islands. He asked whether it is a fact that the Member of Parliament, Andaman & Nicobar (A&N) Islands, and the UT Administration have repeatedly raised concern regarding the posting/deputation of specialist doctors from the Central Health Service/Central Government Health Scheme cadre to the Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands for a period of two to three years on a rotation basis, in view of the long-pending vacancies in District and Community Health Centres;

He also asked, if so, the steps taken by the Government to fulfil these demands, considering the urgent healthcare requirements of the islanders; and

Furthermore, he seeks to know the timeframe by which specialist doctors are expected to be deputed or posted to the UT Administration.

Also Read:Punjab to hire retired doctors amid specialist shortage

Responding to these questions, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Smt. Anupriya Patel mentioned that, based on the vacancies, requisitions are sent to the UPSC, and UPSC conducts interviews for the recruitment of specialist doctors and recommends suitable candidates for appointment against the vacant posts. Further, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has taken cognizance of concerns regarding vacancies of specialist doctors under the A&N Islands Administration, and administrative approval has been conveyed to the UT Administration of the A&N Islands to make contractual appointments against the vacant posts for a period of one year or till regular recruitments are made, whichever is earlier. In addition, postings of specialist doctors have also been made on a rotational basis.

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