Every year on National Doctors' Day, India celebrates the men and women who dedicate their lives to healing others. But behind the white coats is a new generation of doctors grappling with unprecedented challenges that include 36-hour shifts, mounting patient loads, workplace violence, rising expectations, and the emotional toll of caring for the sick.
Yet, thousands of young doctors continue to enter into the profession every year, driven by a purpose.
For many resident doctors, medicine is not merely a profession but a calling. The journey, however, begins with years of intense preparation, followed by one of the world's most demanding training programmes. Long hours, sleep deprivation, and constant pressure become part of everyday life as they balance patient care with academics and research.
"Medicine teaches you humility every single day," says Shruti Shah a resident doctor in her first year. "There are days when you lose a patient despite doing everything possible, and there are days when a simple 'thank you' from a patient makes your day."
Residents are often the first doctors patients meet in hospitals. They manage emergencies, monitor critically ill patients through the night, assist in complex surgeries, and provide reassurance to anxious families, all while preparing for examinations and navigating the emotional burden that comes with the job.
The challenges have become even more pronounced in recent years. Growing incidents of violence against healthcare workers, increasing litigation, misinformation on social media, have added to the stress. Surveys conducted across India have repeatedly highlighted high levels of burnout, anxiety, depression, and sleep deprivation among resident doctors.
The concerns voiced by young resident doctors are echoed by recent research published in the June 2026 issue of “perioperative care and operating room management”.
The qualitative study, Beyond the Stethoscope: A Qualitative Exploration of Stress and Burnout Among Postgraduate Medical Residents in Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, found that the pressures of residency extend well beyond long working hours. Based on in-depth interviews with 15 postgraduate residents, researchers reported that stress often spills over into both personal and professional lives, leading to emotional exhaustion, chronic fatigue, strained relationships and diminished work performance. Participants identified heavy workloads, financial pressures and an unsupportive organisational culture as the primary drivers of burnout. While many relied on personal resilience, support from colleagues and family, and guidance from mentors to cope, the study found that institutional support remained limited. The researchers called for systemic reforms, including improved staffing levels, more flexible duty schedules, stronger mentorship programmes, better access to mental health services and enhanced financial support. They concluded that addressing burnout is essential not only for doctors' well-being but also for improving the quality and safety of patient care, particularly in resource-constrained settings.
Despite these realities, many young doctors say the profession still offers unmatched fulfilment.
For some, the inspiration came from watching a family member battle illness. Others were motivated by a desire to serve underserved communities or by a fascination with science and the human body.
Technology is also reshaping how this generation practises medicine. Artificial Intelligence, digital health records, robotic surgeries, and telemedicine are becoming part of routine clinical practice.
"AI can help us diagnose faster or reduce paperwork, but empathy cannot be automated," says Tushar M, another resident who is currently in his last year, at Mumbai's KEM hospital.
As India's healthcare needs continue to grow with an ageing population, rising non-communicable diseases, and increasing demand for specialised care, the country will depend heavily on this new generation of doctors.
"I know it is a matter of great pride to be a doctor. But I'm really disappointed at the way things are going for us. First up, we work so hard but we see that our peers in other industries earn more money than us and for us safety continues to remain a big issue especially in public hospitals where we actually work day and night with overburdened infrastructure," says Preesha Mane, who works in district hospital, Nagpur.
For resident doctors, the wish list is straight forward: Safer workplaces, better work-life balance, improved mental health support, and greater public trust.
On this Doctors' Day, while the nation honours its medical fraternity, it is also an opportunity to recognise the young doctors who represent the future of Indian healthcare. Their resilience, compassion, and commitment will shape how medicine is practised in the decades to come.
