Dehradun – To draw physicians to its far‑flung hill districts, the Uttarakhand government has approved a new pay matrix for resident doctors and demonstrators attached to state medical colleges. The scheme adds a location‑based premium for those posted in the mountainous belt, where chronic staff shortages have hampered service delivery.

Significant rise for senior residents

From today onward, senior residents serving in hill hospitals will receive Rs 1.10 lakh per month, up from the earlier Rs 90,000. Their counterparts on the plains will see their remuneration rise to Rs 1.05 lakh, compared with Rs 84,000 previously.

Junior residents also see a boost

Junior residents stationed in the highlands will now be paid Rs 85,000 monthly, an increase from Rs 76,000. Those working in the low‑lying areas will have their salary lifted to Rs 80,000, up from Rs 71,000.

Adjusted pay for demonstrators

The differential pay structure extends to demonstrators as well. In hill postings, their monthly earnings will climb to Rs 85,000 (previously Rs 76,000), while demonstrators on the plains will receive Rs 80,000, up from Rs 71,000.

Reason behind the location‑based premium

Health officials say the higher wages are meant to make mountain assignments more appealing, thereby filling the persistent vacancy gap in government hospitals across Uttarakhand’s rugged districts. The revised scale is also expected to improve retention of residents in teaching hospitals, strengthening both patient care and academic programmes.

Current staffing figures indicate that the state’s public medical colleges employ 251 junior residents, 246 senior residents, and 134 demonstrators. The salary revisions will translate into a noticeable increase in monthly earnings for each group.

Tackling the doctor deficit

The move comes as the state grapples with a shortage of doctors in public health facilities, especially in high‑altitude districts where many departments operate below authorised strength. By offering a financial incentive, the government hopes to persuade more physicians to accept or remain in hill‑area posts, relieving the strain on understaffed hospitals.

Among 23 other proposals covering infrastructure, education, governance and public services, the salary overhaul was highlighted as a pivotal step toward reinforcing Uttarakhand’s healthcare delivery system.