The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved a proposal to raise the retirement age of Central Health Service staff to 65, in an effort to meet the shortfall of medical specialists in the country. The retirement age used to be 62 years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had given his nod to the proposal in May.

Non-teaching staff, public health specialist and general duty medical officers will benefit from the move. In India, there is one doctor for every 1,700 people, though the World Health Organization has advised one doctor for every 1,000 people. Health Minister JP Nadda said that with a stronger healthcare sector, the National Democratic Alliance government at the Centre can introduce more people-oriented schemes.