Keralam State Mental Health Authority Recruitment 2026: An Overview
The Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Kerala, through the Keralam State Mental Health Authority (KSMHA), has officially released notification No. A/514/2026/SMHA dated 23.10.2026. This recruitment drive invites applications from qualified medical experts to fill 2 Member posts across designated Mental Health Review Boards in the state.
Detailed Vacancy & Eligibility Breakdown
Detailed Vacancy & Eligibility Breakdown
Detailed Vacancy & Eligibility Breakdown
These statutory appointments serve a critical function under the provisions of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017. Appointed members ensure legal compliance, protect patient rights, and oversee mental health practices at the district board level. Candidates seeking public healthcare leadership positions can also explore all latest Kerala Government Jobs to review state-level health administrative openings.
KSMHA Member Vacancy Details & Station Allocation
The 2 vacancies are earmarked for distinct stations in northern Kerala. Candidates must note the designated station corresponding to their professional qualification before submitting an application.
Eligibility Criteria & Statutory Qualifications
To qualify for appointment to the Mental Health Review Board, applicants must satisfy statutory definitions prescribed by national healthcare legislation. Medical graduates and postgraduates who wish to evaluate their qualifications alongside other public opportunities can check more Graduate jobs in Kerala for comparative qualification benchmarks.
Educational Qualifications
- Member - Psychiatrist: Must possess medical qualifications recognized under Section 2(1)(y) of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, including a recognized postgraduate degree or diploma in psychiatry, along with valid medical council registration.
- Member - Medical Practitioner: Must hold a recognized medical qualification as defined under Section 2(1)(n) of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, and be registered with the State Medical Council or National Medical Commission.
- Experience Profile: Candidates are required to describe their professional background in mental healthcare within the application form. While no strict minimum number of years is mandated as an elimination threshold, relevant clinical and administrative experience is assessed during scrutiny.
Age Limit and Office Tenure
The official notification does not set a conventional entry-level minimum or maximum age limit. In accordance with statutory norms governing review boards under the Mental Healthcare Act, the term of office is five years or until the member attains the age of 70 years, whichever occurs earlier.
Remuneration & Honorarium Framework
The selected members do not receive regular pay band salaries; remuneration is structured as an honorarium based on their employment status at the time of appointment:
- Serving Government Psychiatrist or Medical Practitioner: A fixed honorarium of Rs. 2,000 per month.
- Retired Government Psychiatrist or Medical Practitioner: Remuneration up to Rs. 50,000 per month, strictly regulated by the formula of last drawn pay minus pension before commutation, as per Kerala State service norms.
- Other Nominated Professionals: An honorarium of Rs. 1,000 per sitting, supplemented by admissible Traveling Allowance (TA) for attending board proceedings.
Similar statutory board openings in other states, such as the MERC Chairperson, Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum Recruitment 2026 recruitment details, adopt specialized sitting fee and pension-adjusted honorarium frameworks for experienced professionals.
Selection Methodology
There is no written examination for this recruitment. Selection is conducted via administrative evaluation through the following stages:
- Stage 1 (Application Scrutiny): Verification of statutory credentials under Section 2(1)(y) or Section 2(1)(n) of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, alongside medical council registrations.
- Stage 2 (Document Verification): Physical verification of experience profiles, date of birth proofs, and medical qualifications.
- Stage 3 (Final Recommendation & Appointment): Final selection and appointment orders issued by the Competent Authority under the Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Kerala.
Step-by-Step Offline Application Guide
Candidates must submit their applications physically or via postal mail. Follow these steps to ensure proper submission before the closing deadline on 10 November 2026 (5:15 PM):
- Obtain the Form: Download the official notification and the prescribed application form from the official portals (arogyakeralam.gov.in or ksmha.org).
- Select the Correct Station Form: Ensure you complete the specific proforma designated for your target post: Kannur station for Psychiatrist or Kozhikode station for Medical Practitioner.
- Fill in Details: Provide complete personal details, educational qualifications, medical registration number, present occupation, and a summary of mental healthcare experience.
- Enclose Self-Attested Documents: Attach clean photocopies of all qualifying certificates, valid registration, date of birth documentation, and an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- Envelope Superscription: Place the completed application and enclosures inside a sturdy envelope and write clearly on top: "Application for the Post of Member - [Psychiatrist / Medical Practitioner] at [Kannur / Kozhikode] Station".
- Dispatch: Send the envelope by registered/speed post or deliver it by hand to the official address:
The Chief Executive Officer,
Keralam State Mental Health Authority,
Red Cross Road, Trivandrum - 695035, Kerala.
Crucial Submission Warning: Applications received after 10 November 2026, 5:15 PM will be rejected without review. Ensure postal mail is dispatched well in advance to account for transit schedules. There is no application fee required for any category.
Essential Documents Checklist
Applicants must assemble the following documents before sealing their dispatch envelope:
- Application Form: Filled and signed copy of the prescribed proforma corresponding to the applied station.
- Date of Birth Proof: Attested copy of Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) or municipal birth certificate.
- Basic Medical Degrees: Self-attested copies of MBBS or qualifying undergraduate medical degree certificates and mark sheets.
- Postgraduate Certificates: Self-attested copies of MD, DNB, Diploma, or relevant postgraduate degrees (mandatory for Member - Psychiatrist).
- Medical Council Registration: Self-attested copy of valid registration certificate with the State Medical Council or National Medical Commission.
- Experience Profile: Detailed written summary highlighting clinical, administrative, or community experience in mental healthcare.
- Curriculum Vitae: A comprehensive, up-to-date CV outlining career history and publications (if any).
