Tripura government replaces the six-year rural service rule for MBBS doctors, relaxing PG NOC norms and introducing graded service tenure with NEET PG incentives to boost rural healthcare and reduce doctor dissatisfaction.
The Government of Tripura has officially replaced the rigid six-year rural service rule for in-service MBBS doctors. The decision has brought considerable relief to General Duty Medical Officers (GDMOs), particularly regarding the eligibility criteria for obtaining No Objection Certificates (NOC) to pursue postgraduate medical education.
A senior official from the state Health Department confirmed that the government has revised the existing framework after receiving widespread feedback from in-service doctors and health sector stakeholders. The reform introduces a new gradation of service areas, linking the duration of mandatory service to the geographical and infrastructural challenges of each posting.
Previously, Tripura followed a stringent policy mandating six uninterrupted years of rural service for GDMOs before they could apply for an NOC to pursue postgraduate studies. This rule applied uniformly, irrespective of the nature of postings or the accessibility of healthcare facilities. Over time, the policy became a major deterrent for young medical graduates considering government service.
According to reliable sources, several MBBS graduates who cleared the Tripura Public Service Commission (TPSC) examinations were hesitant to join government service due to the prolonged stagnation in career growth. Many doctors felt that waiting six years for professional advancement discouraged academic progression and specialization, especially during the most productive years of their medical careers.
Another major complication arose due to rapid urbanization across the state. Several hospitals previously categorized as rural were later reclassified as urban centers, particularly those located in civic bodies and subdivision headquarters. As a result, doctors serving in high-patient-load hospitals found their rural service tenure invalidated, pushing the six-year requirement even further out of reach.
To address these challenges, the Tripura government has now introduced a flexible and tiered policy structure. Under the revised guidelines, doctors serving for six years in urban hospitals located in or around Agartala will be eligible for an NOC for postgraduate studies. However, this category will not qualify for incentive marks in NEET PG examinations, in accordance with National Medical Commission (NMC) norms.
In the second category, doctors posted in district and subdivision hospitals located in urban centers outside Agartala will become eligible for an NOC after completing five years of service. This change recognizes the heavy workload and critical role played by these institutions in secondary healthcare delivery.
For doctors serving in rural hospitals across other districts, the required tenure has been reduced to four years. Moreover, those working in officially designated difficult and remote areas will need to complete only three years of service to qualify for an NOC. These two categories will also receive a 30 percent incentive on NEET PG marks, as permitted under NMC guidelines.
Health officials believe that these relaxations will not only motivate doctors to choose rural and remote postings but also ensure equitable distribution of medical services across Tripura. The revised policy aims to strike a balance between academic aspirations of doctors and the state’s need for skilled healthcare professionals in underserved regions.
| Also Read: Flower farming creates jobs and hope in Rural Tripura |
It is worth noting that Tripura Times had earlier published a detailed report highlighting growing resentment among junior doctors over the six-year rural service mandate. Many had described the rule as impractical and demoralizing, particularly in light of administrative reclassifications of hospitals due to urban expansion.
With this policy shift, the Tripura government has taken a decisive step toward building a more responsive, doctor-friendly, and sustainable healthcare system, while ensuring that rural and difficult areas continue to receive adequate medical attention.
