Agartala: A recent list of recommended candidates for the post of General Duty Medical Officer (GDMO), released by the Tripura Public Service Commission (TPSC), has triggered a fresh wave of controversy over the “quality of health professionals” being appointed in the state.
The list, containing the names of 216 candidates, was also shared by Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on social media, where he congratulated the successful applicants.
“Heartfelt congratulations to all the newly recommended GDMO candidates. Wishing you great success as you embark on this noble journey, serving humanity with dedication & compassion. Your commitment to healthcare will make a difference,” Dr Saha wrote.
However, what caught the attention of netizens was the final page of the notification, which revealed the marks scored by the lowest-ranked candidates. The last candidate on the list, who was declared selected, had scored just 14.05 out of 100 marks in the examination.
The revelation has sparked criticism of the recruitment process, with many questioning whether candidates with such low scores should be entrusted with the responsibility of public healthcare. From serial numbers 191 to 216 on the list, all selected candidates had scored below 30 marks — widely regarded as the minimum pass threshold for most competitive examinations.
As the list went viral, several social media users voiced their disappointment and expressed concern over the implications for Tripura’s healthcare system.
“The government can’t play with citizens’ lives. Doctors who can’t score more than 14 or 19 or 20 out of 100 in TPSC exams are a serious risk in the health service. People in general must start asking questions right from the medical education system of the state itself. And keep all these new medical, dental etc. colleges on hold… ENSURE RIGHT MEDICAL EDUCATION TO RIGHT STUDENTS. I cannot risk my wife’s or daughter’s life to these students… Nor do you,” senior journalist Manas Paul wrote on social media.
Others pointed out that the qualifying marks for an entry-level doctor’s post appeared to be much lower than the cut-off for teachers, who undergo a multi-stage examination process. Some even alleged that the cut-off for candidates in Group C and Group D posts is higher than for GDMO positions.
The controversy has prompted questions about recruitment standards and the quality of medical education in the state. As of now, the Tripura government has not issued an official response to the allegations surrounding the GDMO selection process.
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