Specialist Grade III Assistant Professor (Central Health Service)
विशेषज्ञ ग्रेड III सहायक प्रोफेसर (केंद्रीय स्वास्थ्य सेवा)
Direct entry at Pay Level 11 plus NPA for doctors with a post-graduate degree — teaching and specialist care in central medical colleges.
Central Health Service (Teaching Specialist sub-cadre) · Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Exam
UPSC Specialist Recruitment
Qualification
Professional degree
Age limit
21–40 years
Transfers
Anywhere in India
Work hours
Hospital and college hours plus emergency duty by roster
Probation
As per Central Health Service rules
Estimated in-hand / month
₹1,08,054
Gross ₹1,27,620 · CTC ≈ ₹17.1 lakh/yr
Where are you posted?
Specialist Grade III Assistant Professor (Central Health Service) · rates as of January 2026 (DA 60%). Excludes CGHS, GPF/insurance deductions and special allowances. Estimate only.
New to pay slips? Read how in-hand salary is worked out.
What you will actually do
- Teaching undergraduate and post-graduate medical students
- Specialist outpatient, ward and emergency care in the attached hospital
- Supervising residents and guiding theses
- Research and departmental academic work
- Administrative duties of the department assigned by the head
A typical day
You work in a department of a central government medical college and its hospital. A typical day combines a ward round with residents, a crowded OPD or operating list, and lectures or bedside clinics for students. Evenings go into case discussions, thesis guidance and your own research. Emergency calls come by roster. The patient load in these hospitals is very heavy, so clinical work often squeezes the academic side.
Promotion path
Timelines are ranges and vary by cadre. See how promotions and MACP work.
Specialist Grade III Assistant Professor (Central Health Service) (joining)
Pay Level 11
₹1,02,000–₹1,19,000 in-hand
Specialist Grade II / Associate Professor
Time-bound, after about 2 to 4 years · Level 12 · via dpc
₹1,16,000–₹1,34,000 in-hand
Specialist Grade I / Professor
Time-bound, after further service · Level 13 · via dpc
₹1,66,000–₹1,87,000 in-hand
Senior Administrative Grade
After about 20 years of total service · Level 14 · via dpc
₹1,88,000–₹2,12,000 in-hand
Promotion timelines vary by cadre and vacancies. If not promoted, MACP gives a pay upgrade after 10, 20 and 30 years.
How to get in
Union Public Service Commission (direct recruitment by selection)
- 1.Online application and shortlisting on qualifications and experience
- 2.Recruitment test, where UPSC decides to hold one
- 3.Interview (100 marks)
Eligibility: A recognised MBBS degree, a post-graduate degree (MD, MS or equivalent) in the speciality concerned, and at least three years' teaching experience as Senior Resident, Tutor, Demonstrator or Registrar after the post-graduate degree. DM or MCh training counts towards the experience as set out in the advertisement. Age 21–40. The limit shown is for unreserved and EWS candidates. OBC: 3 years more, SC/ST: 5 years more, PwBD: up to 10 years more; central government servants as per rules.
The good
- ✓ Direct entry above the usual Level 10, with time-bound promotions
- ✓ Teaching and specialist practice in large public hospitals
- ✓ Upper age limit of 40
The hard parts
- – Very heavy patient load
- – No private practice
- – Posts are advertised speciality by speciality, with few seats in each
Postings
Central institutions such as Safdarjung Hospital and VMMC, Lady Hardinge Medical College and the ABVIMS–RML Hospital in Delhi, and other institutes under the Ministry. Transfer liability is all-India.
Questions people ask
What is the in-hand salary of Specialist Grade III Assistant Professor (Central Health Service)?+
Specialist Grade III Assistant Professor (Central Health Service) is a Pay Level 11 post with a starting basic pay of ₹67,700. At current rates (DA 60%, January 2026), the starting in-hand salary is roughly ₹1,02,000–₹1,19,000 a month, depending on whether you are posted in a Z, Y or X class city.
What is the qualification and age limit for Specialist Grade III Assistant Professor (Central Health Service)?+
A recognised MBBS degree, a post-graduate degree (MD, MS or equivalent) in the speciality concerned, and at least three years' teaching experience as Senior Resident, Tutor, Demonstrator or Registrar after the post-graduate degree. DM or MCh training counts towards the experience as set out in the advertisement. Age: 21–40 years. Relaxation: The limit shown is for unreserved and EWS candidates. OBC: 3 years more, SC/ST: 5 years more, PwBD: up to 10 years more; central government servants as per rules.
Which exam do I need to clear for Specialist Grade III Assistant Professor (Central Health Service)?+
UPSC Specialist Recruitment (Union Public Service Commission (direct recruitment by selection)).
Is there a written exam?+
Usually not. UPSC shortlists on qualifications and experience and selects by interview, and holds a recruitment test only when applications are very numerous.
Can I apply straight after MD?+
No. The advertisement requires at least three years' teaching experience after the post-graduate degree, though DM or MCh training can count towards it.
Compare with similar posts
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चिकित्सा अधिकारी, केंद्रीय स्वास्थ्य सेवा
Group A doctor's post via UPSC CMS for MBBS graduates — general duty in CGHS dispensaries and central government hospitals.
Assistant Divisional Medical Officer (Railways)
सहायक मंडल चिकित्सा अधिकारी (रेलवे)
Group A doctor's post via UPSC CMS — treating railway employees and families in railway hospitals and health units.
Nursing Officer (AIIMS)
नर्सिंग अधिकारी (एम्स)
Pay Level 7 nursing post in AIIMS hospitals via NORCET — bedside patient care in wards, ICUs and theatres, in shifts.
Sources
- UPSC Advertisement No. 11/2026 (official PDF)
- Union Public Service Commission — recruitment advertisements
This profile is being reviewed. Confirm details in the latest official notification. Salary computed from pay rules as of January 2026.