Quitting an MBBS, defense, or police job comes at a high cost—one may have to pay a service bond worth lakhs..

Government Jobs Service Bond: Before joining a new job, it is essential to consider not just the salary, position, and perks, but also the terms of any service bond. In India, there are several government jobs and educational institutions that require individuals to sign a bond upon appointment or admission. This mandates that the employee or student serve for a specified duration. Leaving the job or refusing to fulfill the service obligation before this period ends can result in a financial liability amounting to lakhs of rupees.

From the medical sector to defense and the police, here is an overview of the required service durations and the potential financial liabilities for breaching such bonds.

Defense: Costs may be recovered if training is abandoned
The Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force provide extensive and costly training to prepare their officers. Consequently, there are bond conditions attached to both the training and the subsequent service.
NDA and IMA: Candidates selected for the National Defence Academy (NDA) or the Indian Military Academy (IMA) must adhere to training-related contracts and service conditions. If a candidate leaves the training midway or violates the stipulated terms, they may be required to reimburse the costs incurred during their training, as well as any salary or allowances received.

AFMC: Students pursuing an MBBS degree at the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) are mandated to serve in the Armed Forces Medical Services. According to the 2025 admission brochure, the bond amount is ₹69 lakh. Under the Short Service Commission, there is a commitment to serve for seven years.

Service Bonds in the Police Force
In the police force, too, individuals are often required to sign a service bond worth lakhs of rupees at the time of joining. The mandatory service duration and the bond amount can vary from state to state. Under the Delhi Police Rules, 1978, directly recruited non-gazetted officers are subject to a five-year service bond. If an employee leaves the service before completing these five years, they may be required to reimburse the expenses incurred on their training. However, there are provisions for exemptions if the individual secures employment with the Central Government, a State Government, or a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU). Similarly, for those recruited as constables in the UP Police, a minimum of two years of service is mandatory. Candidates are required to sign a service bond worth eight lakh rupees.
IPS Officers: The Indian Police Service (IPS) has a system of bonds related to probation and training. In the event of a violation of the stipulated terms, the recovery of salary and travel expenses may be initiated. However, there is no uniform five-year service bond applicable to all IPS officers.

Service Obligation After MBBS
Service bonds are widely prevalent in the medical field. In many states, students who study in government medical colleges are required to serve in government hospitals for a specified period after completing their MBBS.

Examples from some states are as follows:
State    Service Period    Bond Amount
Uttarakhand    5 years    71 lakh
Uttar Pradesh    2 years    10 lakh rupees
Rajasthan    2 years    10 lakh
Delhi    1 year    15 lakh rupees
Madhya Pradesh    1 year    10 lakh rupees
Tamil Nadu    5 years    5 lakh rupees
Odisha    2 years    25 lakh rupees
Assam    5 years    30 lakh
Bihar (PG)    3 years    25 lakh + refund of stipend/salary

MD and MS: Bond Conditions for Specialist Doctors
In many states, doctors pursuing postgraduate degrees—such as MD and MS—are also required to serve in the government sector. In some jurisdictions, this service period ranges from one to three years. According to available comparative data, the bond amount is 2.5 crore rupees in Uttarakhand, 1.5 crore rupees in Rajasthan, and up to 50 lakh rupees in Maharashtra and Karnataka. Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu also impose service and financial bond requirements on postgraduate (PG) doctors.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from News18 Hindi. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.