ECHS Chandigarh Recruitment 2026: High-Salary Medical, Paramedical and Clerical Jobs Announced Across North India

The Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), functioning under the Ministry of Defence, has released a major recruitment notification for 2026, opening the door to high-paying contractual jobs for both ex-servicemen (ESM) and civilian candidates.

This recruitment drive covers a wide range of medical, paramedical, technical, administrative and support staff positions across multiple ECHS polyclinics in Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.

With attractive monthly remuneration, strong reservation benefits for ex-servicemen and postings in well-established ECHS Polyclinics, this recruitment is being viewed as one of the most significant healthcare-related hiring drives in North India for 2026.

Overview of ECHS Recruitment 2026

ECHS has invited applications for engagement on a contractual basis at its polyclinics located at Chandimandir, Chandigarh, Ropar, Mohali, Fatehgarh Sahib and Nalagarh. The engagement period will be:

• One year for ex-servicemen, and
• Eleven months for civilian candidates,

with the possibility of extension based on performance, medical fitness and age criteria as per ECHS norms.

A key highlight of this recruitment is a corrigendum issued on 4 February 2026, which corrected the fixed monthly remuneration of the Dental Officer post to Rs 95,000, replacing the earlier mistakenly published figure of Rs 25,000. This correction has significantly enhanced the attractiveness of the dental vacancies.

The recruitment is particularly beneficial for doctors, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, lab staff, technicians and retired defence personnel seeking stable, well-remunerated contractual employment within the defence healthcare ecosystem.

Key Posts, Vacancies and Salary Structure

ECHS Chandigarh is recruiting across multiple categories, offering competitive fixed monthly pay depending on the post and qualification requirements.

Major Medical Posts

Senior medical professionals form the backbone of this recruitment drive, with salaries going up to Rs 1.30 lakh per month.

• Medical Specialist:
  • Vacancies: 3
  • Qualification: MD/MS/DNB in the concerned specialty with at least 3 years’ experience after post-graduation
  • Salary: Rs 1,30,000 per month
• Gynaecologist:
  • Vacancies: 2
  • Qualification: MD in the specialty with minimum 3 years’ experience after PG
  • Salary: Rs 1,30,000 per month
• Radiologist:
  • Vacancies: 2
  • Qualification: PG degree with 3 years’ experience or PG diploma with 5 years’ experience, along with mandatory DMC registration
  • Salary: Rs 1,30,000 per month
• Medical Officer:
  • Vacancies: 21
  • Qualification: MBBS with minimum 3 years’ experience after internship (additional qualifications in Medicine or Surgery preferred)
  • Salary: Rs 95,000 per month
• Dental Officer:
  • Vacancies: 7
  • Qualification: BDS with minimum 3 years’ experience after internship
  • Salary: Rs 95,000 per month (as per corrigendum dated 4 February 2026)

Paramedical and Technical Posts

ECHS has also announced a substantial number of paramedical and technical vacancies, catering to experienced professionals from both civilian and Armed Forces backgrounds.

• Physiotherapist: 1 vacancy, Rs 36,500/month
• Pharmacist: 12 vacancies, Rs 36,500/month
• Lab Technician: 7 vacancies, Rs 36,500/month
• Lab Assistant: 4 vacancies, Rs 36,500/month
• Nursing Assistant: 8 vacancies, Rs 36,500/month
• Dental Hygienist / Dental Assistant / Dental Technician: 7 vacancies, Rs 36,500/month
• IT Network Technician: 2 vacancies, Rs 36,500/month

Each of these posts requires specific educational qualifications or Class-I trade certification from the Armed Forces, along with prescribed years of relevant work experience.

Administrative and Support Staff Vacancies

Administrative, clerical and support roles form another important component of the recruitment, especially for ex-servicemen with clerical or general duty backgrounds.

• Data Entry Operator (DEO):
  • 1 main vacancy (Rs 29,200/month)
  • 3 DEO posts in lieu of Chowkidar (Rs 21,800/month)
• Clerk: 4 vacancies (in lieu of Driver posts), Rs 25,600/month
• CIK/DEO: 1 vacancy, Rs 29,200/month
• Driver: 6 vacancies, Rs 25,600/month
• Peon: 1 vacancy, Rs 21,800/month
• House Keeper: 3 vacancies, Rs 21,800/month
• Female Attendant: 5 vacancies, Rs 21,800/month
• Chowkidar: 3 vacancies, Rs 21,800/month

Reservation Benefits for Ex-Servicemen

ECHS Chandigarh recruitment 2026 strongly prioritises the resettlement of ex-servicemen:

• 60% of medical vacancies are reserved for ESM
• 70% of paramedical and non-medical posts are reserved for ESM

Even where posts are unreserved, eligible ex-servicemen will be given preference over civilian candidates. However, ex-servicemen who have already availed employment or benefits under any Directorate General Resettlement (DGR) scheme are not eligible to apply under this notification.

This structured reservation policy ensures meaningful post-retirement employment opportunities for defence personnel with medical, technical and administrative expertise.

Application Process and Last Date

Candidates must apply strictly in the prescribed application format available on the official ECHS website. The application should be accompanied by self-attested photocopies of educational qualifications, professional certificates and experience documents.

Applications are to be submitted in duplicate and sent by post to:

OIC, Station Cell (ECHS)
HQ PH & HP (1) Sub Area
Chandimandir, District Panchkula
Haryana – 134107

• Last date for receipt of applications: 16 March 2026 (up to 2:00 PM)
• Applications received after the deadline will not be accepted under any circumstances.

Interview Schedule and Required Documents

Shortlisted candidates will be called for an interview at Station Cell (ECHS), HQ PH & HP (1) Sub Area, Chandimandir.

• Reporting time: 0900 hrs
• Interview timing: 0930 hrs to 1430 hrs

Candidates must carry original documents, including:

• Educational certificates and mark sheets (Matric onwards)
• Professional qualification and experience certificates
• Discharge book, PPO and service records (for ESM)
• Two passport-size colour photographs

No TA/DA will be paid for attending the interview, and candidates are advised to apply only if they fully meet the eligibility criteria.

On-Job Training and Important Corrigendum

Selected candidates for Medical Officer, Medical Specialist, Gynaecologist, Radiologist and Dental Officer posts will be required to undergo mandatory On Job Training (OJT) at the concerned ECHS Polyclinic.

• Minimum 10 days of handing/taking over is compulsory
• The OJT period will be unpaid
• A certificate of successful OJT completion from the OIC Polyclinic is mandatory before signing the contractual agreement

The corrigendum published on 4 February 2026 in The Times of India corrected the Dental Officer salary to Rs 95,000 per month, making it one of the most financially rewarding posts in this recruitment cycle.

Final Words

The ECHS Chandigarh Recruitment 2026 offers a rare combination of high salary, professional stability and preference for ex-servicemen across multiple healthcare and administrative roles. With postings across strategically important locations in Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, this recruitment drive is expected to attract a large number of qualified candidates.

Applicants are advised to carefully read the official notification on the ECHS website and ensure timely submission of applications well before the deadline.