Chhattisgarh High Court Rejects Doctors' Request to Extend Study Leave to 36 Months

The Chhattisgarh High Court ruled against a petition filed by a group of medical doctors who asked for their study leave to be extended from the current 24 months to 36 months. The doctors argued that a longer period was essential for completing advanced training and specialization courses.

The bench examined the statutory provisions governing study leave for government medical officers and found no legal basis to grant an additional twelve months. It noted that the existing framework already balances the need for professional development with the requirement to maintain adequate staffing in public hospitals.

By rejecting the plea, the court upheld the status quo, meaning doctors will continue to receive a maximum of two years of study leave as per current regulations. The decision may prompt the medical community to seek alternative avenues, such as policy revisions or separate legislative action, to address concerns over training duration.

The judgment was delivered in Bilaspur, where the Chhattisgarh High Court is seated, and no immediate appeal has been indicated.