In a move that has sparked controversy within the medical community, Telangana doctors have called for the withdrawal of Government Order (GO) 229, issued by the Telangana Health Department on December 22, 2025. The order aims to increase the number of ex officio members in the Telangana Medical Council (TGMC), a move that the doctors contend threatens the council’s autonomy.
Currently, the TGMC comprises 13 elected members, six government nominees, two representatives from Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences (KNRUHS), and four ex officio government officials. GO 229 adds four more ex officio members to this mix, increasing the total number of state-nominated ex-officio members to eight.
This expansion has been met with concern among young doctors who fear it could undermine the council’s independence. They argue that the move dilutes the role of elected representatives within the TGMC. The protest against the order has been ongoing for a week, with many doctors advocating for a council composed solely of medical professionals.
The issue has gained significant attention, with government doctors across several medical associations staging a black badge protest at all government medical colleges on January 7. The protest was a peaceful demonstration, and the doctors announced their intention to continue the protest from that date forward.
Medical students and young doctors have expressed particular concern, emphasizing their potential vulnerability to the changes. Many MBBS graduates from district medical colleges practice independently if they fail to secure postgraduate seats. They stress that robust regulation is crucial to safeguard qualified practitioners.
The ongoing debate highlights the importance of maintaining the independence of professional bodies and the role they play in upholding standards within their respective fields. As the situation continues to develop, it will be interesting to see how the Telangana Health Department responds to the doctors’ demands for the withdrawal of GO 229.
