Kohima: The Nagaland Medical Students Association (NMSA) has voiced strong opposition to a recent decision by the Department of Health and Family Welfare, which mandates a departmental examination for the regularisation of doctors appointed on a contractual basis during the COVID-19 pandemic. The NMSA has expressed deep concern over this move, describing it as a violation of established service rules and a threat to the integrity of the recruitment process for Class 1 Gazetted Officers.
The contentious notification, issued on August 20, 2024, outlines a departmental examination scheduled for August 26, 27, and 28. The NMSA argues that the recruitment of such critical positions, comparable to Extra Assistant Commissioners (EAC) and Sub-Divisional Officers (SDO), should fall under the purview of the Nagaland Public Service Commission’s (NPSC) Combined Technical Services Examination (CTSE). According to the association, bypassing this process in favour of a departmental examination undermines the principles of meritocracy and equal opportunity, which are fundamental to public service recruitment.
Despite repeated requests from the NMSA for a transparent and competitive NPSC CTSE written and viva voce examination, the state government has proceeded with the departmental exam. The NMSA warns that this decision risks depriving numerous medical graduates, who have diligently prepared for competitive exams, of their fair chance to compete.
The association highlights the inequity of conducting a special recruitment process that benefits a select few while excluding the broader medical fraternity. NMSA points out that other states, which also faced significant challenges during the pandemic, did not resort to irregular practices for appointment regularisation. They emphasise that the Nagaland government’s decision to restrict examination opportunities to the 98 contractual doctors appointed during the pandemic is a worrying departure from established norms.
In support of their concerns, the NMSA references the NPSC’s previous practices, noting that between 2010 and 2021, only 87 Medical Officer posts were regularised through examinations. The decision to now regularise 98 posts through a departmental examination, especially in light of the increasing number of medical graduates in Nagaland, is seen as a troubling deviation from the norm. The state’s new medical college, which now admits 155 government-sponsored MBBS students and 12 BDS students annually, has further intensified competition for these coveted positions.
Given these concerns, the NMSA is urging the government to reconsider its decision and uphold fairness and meritocracy. They have called for the cancellation of the scheduled departmental examination and instead recommend that all sanctioned Medical Officer posts currently held by COVID-19 contractual doctors be advertised and filled through the NPSC Combined Technical Services Examination. This, they argue, would ensure equal opportunity for all eligible candidates.
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The NMSA has also appealed to the public, student bodies, civil society organisations, and community leaders to support their stance against what they deem an unjust decision. They caution that bypassing the NPSC in the recruitment of Class 1 Gazetted Medical Officers not only risks denying other deserving medical graduates their opportunities but also jeopardises the quality of healthcare services in the state. The association asserts that a fair and transparent selection process is essential to maintaining the high standards of healthcare that the people of Nagaland deserve.
A formal representation outlining their grievances has been submitted to the relevant authorities for consideration.
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