Patna: The Bihar cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, has approved the creation of 20,016 new posts in the state Health Department, marking one of the most significant expansions of the public healthcare workforce in recent years.
The decision, announced on Tuesday, includes the establishment of three new directorates—Public Health, Health Services, and Medical Education—each to be headed by a Director General. A coordinating post of Director General-cum-Special Secretary will also be created to streamline operations across departments.
In a structural revamp aimed at boosting efficiency and accountability, two new service cadres—public health and hospital management—will be introduced. The move is expected to improve healthcare delivery and offer permanent roles and promotional avenues to many currently employed on a contractual basis.
The estimated annual cost of the initiative is Rs 2,192 crore.
Health Minister Mangal Pandey called the cabinet’s decision “historic”, saying it will significantly strengthen healthcare services and expand their reach across Bihar. “I thank Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary for their vision and support in transforming Bihar’s health infrastructure,” he said.
The newly created roles include Medical Officers, Public Health Officers, Hospital Managers, and Community Process Coordinators. A special cell has been instructed to draft recruitment rules promptly to ensure timely hiring.
Additional Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit said the restructuring would improve the management of hospitals and enhance the implementation of public health programmes, ultimately raising the standard of care across the state.
