Archive · 6 Aug 2026
Himachal Pradesh approves 78% salary hike for contract medical specialists
The leader of a place called Himachal Pradesh in India decided to give doctors who are training to become specialists a very big pay raise.
Their monthly pay is going up by 78 per cent, from Rs 33,660 to Rs 60,000.
This is the second big raise in a few years, because their pay also went up by about 24 per cent in 2022.
The government hopes the higher pay will convince doctors to work in government hospitals, including in small towns and villages far from big cities.
Doctors who are still studying, called postgraduate students, also get more money now — Rs 50,000 in their first year, Rs 60,000 in their second year and Rs 65,000 in their third year.
Senior doctors got raises too: Senior Residents and Tutor Specialists now earn Rs 100,000 a month, and Super Specialists earn Rs 130,000.
The government is also planning to hire many more health workers, including 300 new Medical Officers.
The goal is for people to get good medical care close to their homes so they do not have to travel outside the state for treatment.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu approved a 78 per cent salary increase for contract and Job Trainee Medical Officers (Specialists).
Their monthly salary rises from Rs 33,660 to Rs 60,000, following a 2022 hike of around 24 per cent after the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations.
Monthly stipends for PG medical students were raised to Rs 50,000 (first year), Rs 60,000 (second year) and Rs 65,000 (third year).
Stipends of Senior Residents and Tutor Specialists were increased to Rs 100,000 and of Super Specialists to Rs 130,000, with increases ranging from 50 per cent to 170 per cent.
The state government aims to attract and retain specialists in government institutions, especially in remote areas, and has also approved filling around 7,500 posts, including 300 Medical Officer posts.
- Who
- Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu; affected groups include contract and Job Trainee Medical Officers (Specialists), PG medical students, Senior Residents, Tutor Specialists and Super Specialists.
- What
- A 78 per cent salary increase for contract and Job Trainee Medical Officers (Specialists), alongside higher stipends for PG medical students and senior resident/specialist doctors.
- When
- Wednesday, when the Chief Minister approved the decision (specific date not mentioned in the articles).
- Where
- Himachal Pradesh, India; announced in Shimla.
- Why
- To strengthen healthcare services, attract and retain specialist doctors in government institutions — especially in remote areas — and reduce the need for people to travel outside the state for treatment.
- Salary increase
- 78 per cent
- New monthly salary (Medical Officers/Specialists)
- Rs 60,000
- Previous monthly salary
- Rs 33,660
- 2022 increase after Sixth Pay Commission
- Around 24 per cent (Rs 27,000 to Rs 33,660)
- PG stipends (1st/2nd/3rd year)
- Rs 50,000 / Rs 60,000 / Rs 65,000
- Senior Residents and Tutor Specialists stipend
- Increased to Rs 100,000
- Super Specialists stipend
- Increased to Rs 130,000
- Stipend increase range for senior doctors
- 50 per cent to 170 per cent
