Institute of Legal and Management Studies

The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice on a writ petition filed by the United Doctors Front (UDF) challenging what it terms as the "systematic exploitation" of the resident doctors across the country.

The petitioner sought the implementation of the 1992 Central notification that restricts the duty hours of resident doctors to 12 hours per day and 48 hours per week

A Bench of Justice MM Sundresh and Justice NK Singh called for responses from the Union Government and the National Medical Commission (NMC).

The petition, filed under Article 32, describes the prevailing working conditions of resident doctors in India's medical colleges and teaching hospitals as “inhuman.” It points out that despite binding directives issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on June 5, 1992,following earlier Supreme Court orders in the 1985 All India Doctors' Forum case, resident doctors continue to be made to work in excess of the legally prescribed hours, often up to 100 hours per week.

The UDF, a registered body representing doctors nationwide, argued that these violations constitute an infringement of the fundamental right to life and dignity under Article 21. It also invoked the Directive Principles of State Policy under Articles 41 and 47, which oblige the State to secure humane working conditions and promote public health.

Though the Postgraduate Medical Education Regulations, 2023, mention “reasonable working hours,” the UDF says they lack concrete caps or accountability mechanisms. Even AIIMS, in a 2020 memorandum, reiterated the 1992 limits without ensuring compliance.

The petition seeks directions from the Court to:

Ms. Sonia Mathur, Sr. Adv., Mr. Satyam Singh, Ms. Charu Mathur, Ms. Dimple Pilania, Mr. Sanjeev Gupta, Mr. Neeraj Kumar Singh, Ms. Vipasha Jain, Advs., and Ms. Neema, AOR appeared for the petitioner.

Case : United Doctors Front (UDF) Regd v. Union of India and others | WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) Diary No(s). 21183/2025

Click here to read the order