Dr. Anubhav Gupta revealed in an interview with The Nachiket Bhatia Show that he resigned from his MS Orthopaedics from AIIMS Hospital, citing appalling 36-hour work shifts and a toxic work culture.
Securing admission in AIIMS is a dream come true for thousands of medical aspirants, but the responsibility and hardship that come with hospital life can be tough. Dr Anubhav’s resignation has focused attention on the pressure that the Junior resident (JR) doctors are under when treating patients, doing long shifts, and managing their academic work.
“I felt like resigning here is a much better option rather than taking an extreme step,” said Dr. Anubhav
He was getting a stipend of Rs 1,15,000 per month in hand after tax deduction, but to the surprise of many, Dr. Anubhav not only left AIIMS Jodhpur but also appeared for NEET again and got a rank below 3000 as revealed in the podcast.
His account has led to discussion on the working atmosphere in the top hospitals of the Government and the problems faced by the young doctors in their training.
Long Duty Hours and Heavy Workloads
Junior residents are vital in the care of patients, whether they’re attending to emergencies, helping with procedures, or performing other hospital tasks. In a hectic hospital setting, such duties can be time-consuming and leave doctors with little time to rest.
A report by a parliamentary committee in 2026, regarding AIIMS New Delhi raised concerns over excessive duty hours and reported resident doctors on duty for up to 36 hours. The committee advocated a more even balance in duty.
These stress factors can include long shifts, lack of staffing, and academic pressures, all of which can impact doctors’ health and, consequently, their ability to deliver care safely.
Recent Deaths of JRs
The news of Dr. Anubhav’s resignation from AIIMS Jodhpur comes at a time when Dr Raj Nilesh Yadav, a resident doctor in the Department of Anaesthesia, was discovered dead in the bathroom. He was taken to the emergency department, where he was declared dead.
Quite a few Junior and senior residents in India have died in different circumstances recentlyyears, including illness or suspected medical reactions, road accidents, suicide, and violence.
For example, a senior resident at Delhi’s Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital died suddenly while on duty in December 2024.
In August 2024, a postgraduate trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College was raped and murdered at the hospital, prompting nationwide protests over workplace safety.
Why Dr Anubhav’s Resignation from AIIMS Jodhpur Matters
Dr Anubhav’s move has sparked a debate on the issue of adequate rest and support for junior doctors in tough hospital settings. This experience is not necessarily of all departments but does show workload issues, working hours, and the lack of support systems.
Proper staffing, reasonable duty hours, and adequate rest are essential for both doctors and patients alike. Medical knowledge is not the only aspect of a good healthcare system; doctors also need to have conditions where they can carry out their work effectively.
