Also, antecedents of applicants will be verified thoroughly before finalisation of names, sources in the Union Health Ministry said.
"The PMO had yesterday ordered the reconstitution of the search-cum-selection committee based on DoPT guidelines after certain issues concerning members of the panel were raised.
"Also, DoPT had sought opinion of the PMO regarding AIIMS president J P Nadda, who is also the Union Health Minister, chairing the panel," a source at the ministry said.
"Some members of the panel have close relationship with one of the candidate. This may lead to bias during the whole selection process," a senior AIIMS faculty member who is also a contender for the top job alleged.
Also Read
As per rules, the search-cum-selection Committee selects a name from the list of candidates which is then sent to the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) headed by the Prime Minister for final approval.
A selection-cum-search committee under the chairmanship of Nadda has been constituted and was supposed to meet on December 12. Later it was postponed to December 17. But the meeting has not taken place yet.
According to sources, 53 eminent doctors, including 35 candidates from outside AIIMS, have applied for the post and the screening of applications is complete.
Current AIIMS director Dr M C Mishra is set to retire on January 31, next year.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content