Voluntary service during Char Dham Yatra made part of duty for PG medical students

Medical postgraduate students in India now have a new opportunity to gain practical experience through voluntary service during the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand. The National Medical Commission (NMC) has officially included this option under the District Residency Programme (DRP), but it is not mandatory. Students can choose to volunteer if they wish.

The NMC released a circular on April 11, 2025, saying that the Char Dham Yatra duty will help medical students learn about providing healthcare in tough and remote conditions. This annual pilgrimage, which takes place in the high-altitude areas of Uttarakhand, attracts thousands of tourists and pilgrims. This results in high demand for medical services due to the large number of people and the difficult terrain.

The circular noted that the Yatra poses unique health challenges. People may suffer from health issues caused by high altitudes, such as breathing difficulties, dizziness, and other altitude-related problems. It stated, "Unlike other places, the health needs will be under different circumstances. People will be exposed to high altitude-related medical complications."

As a result, the NMC believes that the Char Dham duty will be a good learning opportunity for PG students. It will help them understand how to handle real-life health challenges in remote, resource-poor areas. The NMC said that students who wish to serve may be placed under the DRP and their voluntary service will be counted as part of their training.

NMC welcomes the move

The DRP was introduced in 2021. It requires students pursuing MD or MS to serve three months in district hospitals as part of their postgraduate training. The goal is to train these future doctors in basic health systems and improve healthcare in rural and remote parts of India.

NMC chairman Dr B N Gangadhar explained that the decision to include voluntary Char Dham duty came after the Union Health Ministry received requests for medical staff support during the pilgrimage. The matter was discussed and the Commission approved the idea.

Dr Gangadhar said, "We have decided that those who are volunteering to work may be accommodated for a short period of, say, 15 to 20 days." He added that this work aligns with the training needs of PG students, who are already expected to serve in district hospitals under the DRP. The idea is to prepare them to work in tough settings where resources are limited.

"This is a special situation," he said. "These students would get exposed to medical conditions caused by high altitudes, which is something they don’t get to see often in regular training."

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The circular also highlighted that the Government of Uttarakhand has asked for support to handle the expected increase in medical needs during the Yatra. The nodal officer of each state will help in assigning volunteering students to Uttarakhand’s healthcare services.

The Commission encouraged postgraduate students to take this opportunity, calling it a valuable addition to their training. However, it also made it clear that the service is completely voluntary and will only involve those who willingly opt for it.

In summary, while medical duty during the Char Dham Yatra is not compulsory, it is now recognised as part of formal training for those who volunteer. The NMC believes it will give medical students hands-on experience in challenging environments and improve their skills in dealing with real-life health issues.