Srinagar, Jan 24 (KNO): The prolonged and unexplained delay in the declaration of the senior resident selection list at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura, has triggered widespread concern and uncertainty among dozens of doctors who appeared for the recruitment process earlier this month.
According to the details available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) SKIMS Soura had issued a notification inviting applications for the recruitment of Senior Resident doctors across various departments, with December 20, 2025, set as the last date for submission of forms. The interviews for the posts were conducted on January 2 and 3, 2026. However, more than 20 days have passed since the conclusion of the process, and the final selection list is yet to be published.
Candidates said that they have made repeated attempts to seek clarity from the office of the Dean Academics and the Academic Registrar, but have received only verbal assurances. “We were repeatedly told that the list would be released within two days, but those assurances never materialised,” one of the candidates said.
According to several applicants, they were recently informed by the Dean Academics that the selection list has already been finalised and is awaiting approval from the Director, SKIMS.
However, the Director remains inaccessible to the candidates, and no official notification, explanation, or timeline has been issued by the institution so far, the applicants claimed.
The lack of transparency has placed many young doctors at a critical crossroads in their careers. “We are unsure whether to wait for the SKIMS list or apply for positions elsewhere. The delay is costing us opportunities and adding to mental stress,” another candidate said, adding that many applicants are bound by age limits and fixed recruitment cycles.
Ironically, the delay comes at a time when SKIMS Soura is facing an acute shortage of doctors in almost all departments, a fact acknowledged even by several Heads of Departments.
Candidates argue that the absence of Senior Residents is not only affecting their careers but also impacting patient care in one of the premier tertiary healthcare institutions of Jammu and Kashmir.
“The interviews are done, eligibility is verified, and yet the list is being withheld without any written justification. This raises serious questions about administrative efficiency and fairness,” said another applicant.
Doctors have expressed dissatisfaction over what they describe as an arbitrary and opaque recruitment process, pointing out that prolonged silence and repeated verbal commitments without action are demoralising and unjust.
The candidates have now appealed to the concerned authorities to intervene and ensure either the immediate publication of the final selection list or the issuance of an official written communication clearly explaining the reasons for the delay along with a definite timeline.
They maintained that while they have shown patience and professionalism throughout the process, continued uncertainty is unfair to both aspiring doctors and patients who depend on the institution for specialised care.
“There is still hope that the administration will act promptly in the interest of transparency, fairness, and the smooth functioning of SKIMS Soura,” the candidates said—(KNO)