Maharashtra Approves 14,787 NHM Contractual Employee Posts

Maharashtra Government Approves 14,787 Posts for NHM Contractual Employees With 10 Years of Service

Maharashtra Allocates ₹983.80 Crore Annually to Support Long-Serving NHM Workers

The Maharashtra government has approved 14,787 personal surplus posts for contractual employees working under the National Health Mission (NHM) who have completed at least 10 years of service. The decision, announced on October 27, 2026, carries an estimated annual expenditure of ₹983.80 crore and aims to provide greater job security and financial stability to eligible healthcare workers.

Under the new arrangement, eligible employees will receive pay scales equivalent to those of corresponding sanctioned government posts, along with protection of their existing basic pay and specified allowances. The move is expected to offer significant relief to long-serving NHM workers who have been seeking greater employment security for several years.

Maharashtra Government Responds to Long-Pending NHM Employees' Demand

The approval follows more than two years of policy discussions and efforts to address the concerns of contractual employees working under the National Health Mission.

The state government began the process with a policy decision on March 14, 2024, followed by a revised framework on November 4, 2025. The Maharashtra Cabinet approved the revised arrangement on June 25, 2026, paving the way for the latest decision.

The approved posts will be created for eligible employees who have completed at least 10 years of service, excluding technical breaks. These personal surplus posts will be linked to the respective employees rather than treated as permanent vacancies in the government workforce.

Eligible NHM Employees to Receive Government-Equivalent Pay Scales

Under the approved policy, eligible contractual workers will be placed in personal surplus posts carrying pay scales equivalent to corresponding sanctioned positions in the Public Health, Rural Development, and other government departments.

The arrangement is designed to improve salary protection and provide greater financial stability to employees who have contributed to public healthcare services over an extended period.

The total annual expenditure of ₹983.80 crore will be divided into two main components:

• ₹978.80 crore for salaries: To cover the annual salary expenditure of eligible employees.
• ₹5 crore for travel allowances: To cover the specified travel-related expenses.

This financial allocation reflects the state's commitment to implementing the approved arrangement for eligible NHM contractual employees.

Basic Pay Protection, Allowances, and Leave Benefits Explained

Eligible employees will retain protection of their existing basic pay under the new arrangement. They will also receive dearness allowance, travel allowance, and leave benefits currently admissible under the National Health Mission.

These provisions are expected to offer greater income stability and help workers continue their responsibilities with improved employment security.

However, the policy does not provide complete regularization with all the benefits available to regular government employees. Certain service-related and retirement benefits will remain outside the scope of the arrangement.

NHM Employees Will Not Receive Promotions or Pension Benefits

While the decision provides important financial and employment-related support, the government has specified certain restrictions for employees appointed to personal surplus posts.

The main conditions include:

• No promotion benefits: Employees will not be eligible for promotions under the arrangement.
• No assured career progression: The Assured Career Progression Scheme will not apply.
• No retirement pension: Employees will not receive retirement pension benefits under this arrangement.
• No family pension: Family pension benefits will not be available to their family members.

The government has also clarified that these posts will remain in existence only while the respective employees continue in service.

Personal Surplus Posts Will Not Be Refilled After Vacancies Arise

The approved posts will lapse when an employee leaves service because of retirement upon reaching the maximum permissible age, resignation, death, or any other reason.

Once a post becomes vacant, it will not be filled again. The policy also does not provide for compassionate appointments for family members of employees who leave service.

These conditions establish the limits of the new employment arrangement and distinguish personal surplus posts from regular government positions.

Health Minister Prakash Abitkar Welcomes the Decision

Public Health and Family Welfare Minister Prakash Abitkar said the decision would provide relief to long-serving NHM employees and help strengthen Maharashtra's public health services.

The approval recognizes the contribution of contractual healthcare workers who have served the state for at least a decade. By providing government-equivalent pay scales and protecting existing basic pay, the state aims to improve financial stability for eligible employees while maintaining the specific conditions attached to the new posts.

What the Maharashtra Government's NHM Decision Means for Employees

The approval of 14,787 personal surplus posts marks an important step in addressing the long-standing concerns of eligible National Health Mission contractual employees in Maharashtra.

With an annual allocation of ₹983.80 crore, the arrangement provides pay protection, specified allowances, and leave benefits to workers who meet the service requirements. Although it does not offer full regular government employment or pension benefits, it creates a defined framework for supporting long-serving healthcare staff.

The decision is expected to bring greater financial certainty to eligible employees and support the continued delivery of public health services across Maharashtra.