NHM Jammu Kashmir Psychiatrist Specialist Recruitment 2026: District Mental Health Programme Vacancies

About Important Dates

The timeline for the NHM JK Psychiatrist recruitment is concise and critical. The notification was released on 5th February 2026, and the application window is open from the same day until 26th February 2026. It is crucial to understand that this is an offline process. Your completed application form, along with all self-attested documents, must physically reach the designated office (based on your chosen division) on or before the last date. Applications delivered after 26th February 2026, whether in person or by post, will not be accepted under any circumstances. Since no individual call letters will be sent, candidates must regularly check the official NHM J&K website for updates regarding the scrutiny of applications, the shortlisting of candidates, and the schedule for the viva-voce interview. Missing these updates is equivalent to missing your chance for selection.

About Application Fees

A significant advantage of this recruitment drive is that there is no application fee. The official notification does not mention any fee for any category of candidate, including General, OBC, SC, ST, or EWS. This means eligible candidates can apply without any financial burden. However, candidates should be mindful of any incidental costs such as photocopying documents, postal charges for sending the application (if applying by post), or travel expenses if submitting the application in person. The absence of a fee broadens access and allows all qualified medical professionals within J&K to apply. Always double-check the official notification downloaded from the authentic NHM website to confirm this, as third-party sites may sometimes display incorrect information.

About Vacancy Details

The vacancy distribution of 10 posts for Jammu Division and 5 for Kashmir Division is a key factor in your application strategy. The notification emphasizes a district-wise preference in the selection process. This means separate merit lists will be created for each district (like Pulwama, Baramulla, Jammu, Kathua, etc.). If you are a domicile of a particular district with a vacancy, you will be considered first on that district's list. Only if suitable candidates are not found from that district will the selection panel move to the divisional merit list (Jammu or Kashmir). Therefore, when applying, it's beneficial to understand which district you belong to and where the need is. The note that vacancies are "indicative" means the numbers could slightly increase or decrease based on administrative requirements before the final selection.

About Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria are non-negotiable and form the first checkpoint for your application. The combination of MBBS and a Postgraduate degree (MD/DNB) in Psychiatry is mandatory. Your institution must be recognized by the National Medical Commission (NMC). Crucially, you must hold valid registration for both your MBBS and your Psychiatry specialization with either the NMC or the Jammu & Kashmir State Medical Council. The age limit of 65 years is relatively high, making this an excellent opportunity for both young specialists and experienced professionals seeking to contribute to public health. The domicile requirement is strict; you must possess a valid domicile certificate of Jammu & Kashmir. Applications without proof of any of these criteria will be summarily rejected during the initial screening.

About Age Limit

The age criterion for this recruitment is straightforward: the upper limit is set at 65 years. Notably, the notification does not specify any age relaxation for reserved categories like SC, ST, OBC, or Persons with Disabilities (PwD). This is common in many contractual positions under mission-mode projects like NHM, where the focus is on acquiring specialized skills irrespective of standard reservation relaxations. The age is likely calculated as on the last date for receipt of applications, i.e., 26th February 2026. Candidates close to the age limit must ensure their date of birth is correctly mentioned and supported by a valid certificate (like the 10th class mark sheet). This provision allows highly experienced psychiatrists, including those who may have retired from other services, to apply and contribute their expertise to the District Mental Health Programme.

About Caste Category-Wise Vacancies

A distinctive aspect of this notification is that it does not publish a detailed reservation roster or category-wise vacancy distribution for UR, SC, ST, OBC, or EWS. This indicates that the primary filters for selection are professional qualification, merit score, and domicile with district preference. While this doesn't explicitly preclude candidates from various backgrounds, it means the selection will be based on the announced merit criteria (MBBS marks, PG degree, viva) applied to the pool of J&K domiciled applicants. Candidates should not assume any specific reservation benefits unless an official corrigendum is released later. Your energy should be focused on ensuring your academic documents are in order to score high in the merit calculation.

About Selection Process & Exam Pattern

It is vital to understand that there is no written examination for this recruitment. The selection is a three-stage process based on merit and interview. Your first hurdle is the document screening. If your application is complete and you meet all eligibility criteria, you proceed to the merit scoring stage. Here, your MBBS marks are converted to a score out of 60 on a pro-rata basis. This means if you scored 80% in MBBS, you would get (80/100)*60 = 48 points. This places a high value on your undergraduate academic performance. You then get additional points for your postgraduate qualification (20 for an MD/DNB, 10 for a Diploma). The top candidates from the district-wise academic merit lists are then called for a viva-voce, which carries 20 points. Your final merit is the sum of your academic score and viva score. This system rewards both consistent academic excellence and communication skills during the interview.

About Physical Eligibility Criteria

For the post of a Specialist Psychiatrist, there are no specified physical standards such as minimum height, chest measurement, or a physical endurance test. This is typical for specialist medical positions where the primary requirement is professional qualification and cognitive ability. The job involves clinical work, consultations, and possibly travel within the district for program activities, for which general fitness is assumed. While the notification does not mention a separate medical examination for selection, as a registered medical practitioner, you are expected to be medically fit to perform your duties. Any condition that severely impairs your ability to practice medicine could be grounds for rejection, but this would be assessed on a case-by-case basis if at all, rather than against a predefined physical standard.

About Salary / Pay Scale Details

The offered remuneration is a consolidated amount of ₹85,000 per month. It is crucial to understand the term "consolidated." This means it is a fixed sum that includes the basic pay and all potential allowances like Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and Travel Allowance (TA). You will not receive these allowances separately. This is standard for contractual positions under NHM. The pay is not governed by the 7th Central Pay Commission matrix, and thus, there are no traditional annual increments. However, the notification mentions that the contract is renewable annually based on satisfactory performance and approval from the Ministry of Health, GoI. There is a possibility of a pay revision at the time of extension, but it is not guaranteed. Candidates should evaluate this as a fixed-income contractual role with significant social impact in the public health sector.

About Syllabus

Since there is no written test, there is no prescribed "syllabus" in the conventional sense. The entire evaluative focus shifts to your academic records and the viva-voce. For the interview, you should prepare to demonstrate core clinical competence in Psychiatry. Expect questions on diagnosis, pharmacological management, and psychotherapy for common mental disorders. Importantly, be ready to discuss your understanding of the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP), its objectives, and the role of a specialist within it. Knowledge of the Mental Healthcare Act 2017 and ethical issues in community psychiatry will be advantageous. The panel will also assess your communication skills, aptitude for working in a public health setting, and your motivation for joining a contractual role. Reviewing your past clinical experiences to cite examples will strengthen your viva performance.

About the Application Process

This is a strictly offline application process, which requires careful attention to detail. Start by downloading the correct application form from the official NHM J&K website—do not use forms from other sources. Fill every section clearly. A common mistake is leaving blanks or providing inconsistent information. When attaching documents, every single copy—from your MBBS marksheets to your domicile certificate—must be self-attested, meaning you should sign and date each page. The most critical step is sending the application to the correct divisional address. If you are applying for a post in Kashmir Division, send it to Srinagar; for Jammu Division, send it to Nagrota, Jammu. Sending it to the wrong address will lead to rejection. Consider using registered post or speed post for tracking and to ensure timely delivery well before the deadline.

About the Mode of Selection

The selection mode is designed to be transparent and meritocratic, with a strong bias toward local candidates. The process begins with a strict document screening; incomplete applications are rejected outright. The core of the selection lies in Stage II: the creation of district-wise merit lists based purely on academic scores (MBBS and PG marks). This is where your domicile and district come into play. You will be compared first with other applicants from your own district. Only if you are shortlisted from this pool will you be invited for the viva-voce. The final selection is not just about topping the academic score; the interview carries substantial weight (20 out of 110 points) and can change the final ranking. The final appointment is contingent upon verification of all original documents.

Beyond the standard details, the NHM Psychiatrist recruitment notification includes several crucial clauses that directly impact a candidate's application and tenure. Understanding these fine print details is essential for a smooth process and realistic expectations.

The Contractual Nature and Tenure Specifics

The appointment is explicitly purely contractual and temporary under the National Health Mission. The initial contract period is notably short-term, lasting only until 31st March of the financial year in which the selection is made. For example, if selected in 2026, your first contract may run only until 31 March 2027. Extension is not automatic; it is subject to satisfactory performance appraisal and, most importantly, the continued approval and funding from the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India. This introduces an element of year-to-year uncertainty. Candidates should not view this as a permanent government job but as a fixed-term engagement in public service. The notification does not set an upper limit on the total number of annual renewals, suggesting one could continue for many years if performance and funding permit.

Merit Scoring Nuances and District Preference Mechanism

The merit scoring system has specific nuances that can influence your rank. The 60 points for MBBS marks are awarded on a pro-rata basis, meaning the percentage you enter in the application must be accurate and verifiable from your mark sheets. A 1% difference can alter your score. The points for PG qualifications are "across the board"—10 for a Diploma, 20 for an MD/DNB—so there's no further grading within that. The district preference rule is a powerful filter. If you are a domicile of a district like Bandipora or Samba, you compete in a potentially smaller pool. If no suitable candidate emerges from a particular district, the selection committee then considers the divisional (Jammu/Kashmir) merit list. This makes it strategically important for candidates from districts with vacancies to apply, as their chances are significantly higher.

Application Compliance and Consequences of Errors

The application process demands strict compliance. The warning that "no individual communication will be sent" places the entire onus on the candidate to monitor the NHM website for updates on the shortlist, viva dates, and final results. Any application found to contain false information or willful concealment of facts will not just be cancelled for the current recruitment; the candidate will be debarred permanently from future NHM recruitments. This is a severe penalty. The declaration on the application form regarding no criminal cases or previous debarment must be signed truthfully. Furthermore, the selection committee's decision is final and binding, and "errors and omissions" in the process are accepted, meaning there is limited scope for challenging the procedure after the fact. Accuracy and honesty in the application are paramount.