NEW DELHI: The United Doctors Front (UDF) has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court seeking implementation of the Residency Scheme, 1992, with the matter listed for oral mentioning before the court on July 23, 2026 through Advocate-on-Record (AOR) Dr Charu Mathur.The petition seeks accountability and enforcement of guidelines related to working conditions for resident doctors. UDF has sought implementation of limits on duty hours, including a maximum of 48 hours per week, eight hours of work per day, mandatory weekly offs, adequate rest periods and safer duty schedules for resident doctors.PIL seeks regulation of resident doctors’ duty hoursThe petition filed by UDF focuses on the working conditions of resident doctors who provide medical services across hospitals and healthcare institutions. The organisation has stated that regulated duty hours and proper rest arrangements are required to address concerns related to doctor welfare and patient safety.Resident doctors form a key part of hospital services, handling patient care responsibilities, emergency duties, clinical procedures and academic training. In several healthcare institutions, doctors in residency programmes continue to balance long duty hours with postgraduate training requirements and clinical responsibilities.Working conditions remain a concern for doctorsResident doctors across India have frequently raised concerns regarding extended duty hours, limited rest periods, inadequate breaks between shifts and challenges in maintaining a balance between clinical duties and academic commitments. Many postgraduate medical trainees work in emergency departments, intensive care units and other critical areas where continuous patient monitoring is required.The availability of adequate rest, regulated working hours and safe duty schedules has remained a focus area for medical associations and healthcare professionals. Doctors’ groups have argued that fatigue caused by prolonged working hours can affect both the well-being of medical professionals and the quality of patient care.Demand for accountability and implementationThrough the PIL, UDF has sought strict implementation of the Residency Scheme, 1992, along with mechanisms to ensure compliance with working hour regulations. The organisation has emphasised the need for humane working conditions for resident doctors while maintaining standards of healthcare delivery.The matter is being considered in the context of ongoing discussions around medical workforce conditions, including duty schedules, workplace safety and institutional responsibilities towards doctors undergoing residency training.The Supreme Court listing comes as resident doctors continue to seek structured working conditions, adequate rest and safety measures during their training and service periods.
