NEW DELHI: The United Doctors Front (UDF) has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court seeking implementation of the Residency Scheme, 1992, with the matter listed for oral mention before the court on July 23, 2026 through Advocate-on-Record (AOR) Dr. Charu Mathur.The petition calls for accountability and compliance with guidelines related to resident physicians’ working conditions. The UDF has sought the introduction of limits on duty hours, including a maximum of 48 hours per week, eight hours per day, mandatory weekly breaks, adequate rest periods and safer working hours for resident doctors.The PIL seeks regulation of duty hours of resident doctorsThe petition presented by the UDF focuses on the working conditions of resident doctors who provide medical services in hospitals and health institutions. The organization has stated that regulated duty hours and adequate rest arrangements are necessary to address concerns related to physician welfare and patient safety.Resident physicians are a key part of hospital services, managing patient care responsibilities, emergency duties, clinical procedures and academic training. In several healthcare institutions, physicians in residency programs continue to balance long service hours with postgraduate training requirements and clinical responsibilities.Working conditions remain a concern for doctorsResident physicians in India have often raised concerns about extended duty hours, limited rest periods, inadequate breaks between shifts, and challenges in maintaining a balance between clinical duties and academic commitments. Many graduate medical students work in emergency departments, intensive care units, and other critical areas where continuous patient monitoring is required.The availability of adequate rest, regular working hours and safe duty hours has remained an area of focus for medical associations and health professionals. Physician groups have argued that fatigue caused by long working hours can affect both the well-being of medical professionals and the quality of patient care.Demand for responsibility and implementationThrough the PIL, the UDF has sought strict enforcement of the Residency Plan, 1992, along with mechanisms to ensure compliance with working hours regulations. The organization has emphasized the need for humane working conditions for resident doctors while maintaining standards of healthcare delivery.The matter is being considered in the context of ongoing discussions about the conditions of the medical workforce, including work hours, workplace safety and institutional responsibilities towards doctors who are in residency training.The Supreme Court listing comes as medical residents continue to seek structured working conditions, adequate rest and safety measures during their training and service periods.