Centre urges AIIMS-Delhi to limit duration of PhD scholars to 6 years

The union health ministry has requested the All India Institute of Medical Sciences- Delhi to cap the duration of PhD scholars or scientists who are working on research projects to six years. However, the AIIMS administration has yet to implement the order.

For the last few days, PhD scholars and scientists working on research papers at AIIMS have been protesting against the decision.

The directive issued by the health ministry on July 12 states, "Project staff will not be allowed to continue or hired to serve beyond six years of cumulative engagement in the institute," as reported by PTI.

It further states, "Hiring/shifting of present staff to any fresh or ongoing project may be allowed and to compete with fresh applicants subject to the above-mentioned



limit of six years of cumulative engagement and other prevailing conditions."

Amid protests by scientists, on July 10, the AIIMS administration suspended its earlier order in which it had put the recruitment and selection process of research staff on hold stating the guidelines for it were being reviewed.

However, the ministry issued a fresh directive on July 12 to the AIIMS administration, asking it to limit the number of years one can be employed on projects at the premier institute to six years.

Under the Society of Young Scientists, several scientists and PhD scholars have alleged that capping the number of projects will lead to the immediate termination of around 1,400 employees, including researchers and technical staff at various projects at AIIMS.