Despite the Haryana government invoking the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) to ban the strike for six months, government doctors extended their two-day strike indefinitely on December 10, 2025. Around 3,000 doctors are protesting, shutting down OPD, emergency, and post-mortem services statewide. The strike is led by the Haryana Civil Medical Services Association (HCMSA). Doctors demand an end to direct appointments of Senior Medical Officer (SMO) posts to increase their promotion chances. They also want four Assured Career Progression (ACP) increments like Central government doctors in their 4th, 9th, 13th, and 20th years. Currently, Haryana doctors get three increments in the 5th, 10th, and 15th years. HCMSA president Rajesh Khyalia said, "Both demands were agreed upon by the Chief Minister in July last year after a similar protest, but were yet to be implemented." In a November 16 letter to the Chief Minister, the association noted that the government agreed last July to stop direct SMO recruitment but minutes from November 4 showed plans to continue such recruitment. The modified ACP proposal was approved by the CM and finance department last year but remains unnotified. Health Minister Aarti Singh Rao stated the government is ready to discuss the demands and urged doctors to end the strike. She said 2,531 replacement doctors, including 74 HCMSA members, have joined duty. Other doctors from various government health bodies are also providing services. She added, "All essential and core services of the Health Department continued to operate regularly in all districts." Meanwhile, former Minister Sampat Singh criticized the government’s strict approach towards the strike. He called for resolving the core issues causing the healthcare breakdown instead of punitive action. He emphasized doctors’ legitimate demands for promotions, timely ACP benefits, and sanctioned specialist posts. The strike enters its third day with no end in sight, as doctors hold firm on their demands and the government seeks dialogue while ensuring basic medical services run.