Ladakh’s first government medical college in Leh is scheduled to become operational in the 2027-28 academic year, with the Union Ministry of Health and
Family Welfare approving a one-time relaxation to allow recruitment of faculty and support staff before most of the institution’s infrastructure is complete. The approval will enable the Union Territory administration to begin phased recruitment against 103 sanctioned regular posts while construction of the dedicated campus continues, officials said, according to a PTI report. Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena welcomed the decision and thanked Union Health Minister J P Nadda for accepting his request to relax the requirement that 80 per cent of the infrastructure be completed before recruitment could begin. In a post on X, Saxena said the approval would allow the administration to initiate preparatory recruitment while work on the college’s academic infrastructure progresses. Centre Allows Phased Recruitment For Medical College The ministry conveyed its approval in a letter dated October 13, 2026, addressed to the commissioner-cum-secretary of Ladakh’s Health and Medical Education Department. The relaxation applies to the proposed Government Medical College at Stipuk Pharka in Leh. The administration can now recruit faculty members and support staff in phases, according to academic requirements, without waiting for 80 per cent of the infrastructure to be completed. The 103 posts were sanctioned by the Department of Expenditure on November 27, 2024. Recruitment will be carried out on a regular basis and in accordance with the approved recruitment rules. Saxena had sought the relaxation to help the administration complete staffing preparations in time for the proposed start of academic activities in 2027-28. Temporary Campus And Hospital For First Batch With construction of the permanent campus still underway, the administration has identified two newly constructed buildings to serve as the academic block and students’ hostel. The existing 200-bed Sonam Norboo Memorial (SNM) Hospital in Leh, which has around 60 experienced doctors, is expected to provide clinical training for the first batch of MBBS students. These arrangements will remain temporary. The college will shift to its dedicated infrastructure at Stipuk Pharka once construction is complete. The ministry has also directed the administration to establish timelines for completing the permanent facilities and inform the Department of Expenditure when the transition takes place. The proposed institution is expected to expand access to medical education for students in Ladakh, allowing more aspiring doctors to pursue their studies closer to home. It is also expected to strengthen the region’s healthcare workforce. Ladakh’s difficult terrain, harsh climatic conditions and geographical isolation can make access to specialised medical services challenging. (With Inputs From PTI)
