Concerns Rise as TPSC Recommends Doctors Scoring as Low as 14 Marks Out of 100 for Government Service

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, August 13, 2025

The Tripura Government, today evening through the Tripura Public Service Commission (TPSC), has released the results for the recruitment of 216 General Duty Medical Officers (GDMOs). However, the publication of the merit list has sparked widespread concern among healthcare professionals, educators, and the general public.

Shockingly, the last recommended candidate secured only 14.05 marks out of 100, raising serious questions about the selection process and the standards applied for such a critical role in public healthcare.

Medical officers in government hospitals and health centres are entrusted with the responsibility of safeguarding patient lives. Many believe that appointing candidates with such low scores risks compromising patient safety and the overall quality of medical services. Critics argue that this situation reflects an alarming dilution of merit and a dangerous precedent for healthcare recruitment in the state.

Several professionals from different sectors have questioned why there is a minimum qualifying mark for teacher recruitment, yet no such threshold exists for recruiting doctors, a profession where lives depend on competence. As one concerned citizen remarked, "If high cut-off marks can be set for teachers, why not for doctors? Even a clerk in an office wouldn’t be appointed with such low marks, so how can someone with 14 marks be entrusted with life-and-death decisions?"

Public sentiment suggests that such recruitment practices may be one reason why many patients, including public representatives, prefer private hospitals over government facilities. Critics warn that inadequately qualified doctors could lead to dangerous errors in treatment, from incorrect prescriptions to fatal mistakes in administering injections.

Meanwhile, Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha took to Facebook to congratulate the newly recommended candidates, stating:

"Heartfelt congratulations to all the newly recommended GDMO candidates. Wishing you great success as you embark on this noble journey, serving humanity with dedication and compassion. Your commitment to healthcare will make a difference."

However, the Chief Minister’s congratulatory message has not quelled the growing demand for an urgent review of the recruitment process. Many insist that a clear minimum qualifying mark must be established for doctor appointments to maintain public trust and ensure that only capable, competent, and deserving candidates serve in government healthcare.

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