619 new female health staff to boost Punjab's public health services

Chandigarh, July 2 – Punjab's finance minister has given the green light to a large‑scale recruitment of 619 female multipurpose health workers (MPHW) under the state's Health and Family Welfare Department. The decision seeks to elevate the standards of public health care and broaden service accessibility.

The 619 openings consist of a mix of direct hires and promotion slots. Currently, 220 positions have been vacant for less than a year, while 346 are designated for promotion, allowing qualified midwives to ascend to MPHW roles.

In addition, 53 direct‑recruitment posts, previously removed after remaining open for more than a year pursuant to the 2019 Finance Department guidelines, will be reinstated following approval from the state cabinet.

Recruitment will be governed by the Punjab Health and Family Welfare Technical (Group‑C) Service (First Amendment) Rules, 2025, offering salaries from ₹21,700 to ₹69,100 at Level‑3.

To expedite the process, the state has excluded these posts from the Punjab Subordinate Service Selection Board's purview, opting instead for a direct recruitment channel through Baba Farid University of Health Sciences in Faridkot. The board officially consented to this plan on December 3, 2025.

The finance minister highlighted that the new appointments will create an extra yearly fiscal load of about ₹16.12 crore during the mandatory probation period.

The announcement also touched upon industrial administration reforms, approving the revival of crucial direct‑recruitment positions within the Industry Department to sustain functional efficiency.