Tripura High Court directs state authorities to consider the promotion of Dr Ashit Bhattacharya and Dr Swarajit Debbarma as Assistant Professors at AGMC and GBP Hospital within three months under applicable NMC regulations.
The Tripura High Court has directed the state authorities to consider the promotion of two doctors, Dr Ashit Bhattacharya and Dr Swarajit Debbarma, to the posts of Assistant Professor in their respective departments at Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC) and GBP Hospital within three months.
A single bench of Justice Biswajit Palit passed the orders on August 28 while disposing of two separate writ petitions filed by the doctors. The court held that both petitioners were eligible to have their cases considered for promotion under the applicable regulations of the National Medical Commission (NMC).
Dr Ashit Bhattacharya, who has been serving as a Basic Teacher-cum-Registrar in the Department of Anaesthesiology, approached the High Court seeking consideration for promotion to the post of Assistant Professor.
According to the case details, Dr Bhattacharya had been working in the department since December 12, 2013. His service was subsequently regularised, and his name was included in the seniority list of Basic Teachers in the Department of Anaesthesiology.
His claim for promotion was based on the provisions of the NMC notification issued on June 30, 2025. The notification, among other provisions, lays down eligibility criteria for diploma holders who were appointed as Senior Residents in recognised medical institutions before June 8, 2017, and who possess four years of total experience as Senior Residents.
The High Court observed that despite Dr Bhattacharya submitting a representation seeking promotion, the state authorities had not taken a decision on the matter.
During the hearing, the respondents were also unable to place before the court any material indicating that the petitioner suffered from any disqualification or that there was any adverse factor preventing consideration of his case for promotion.
Taking note of the applicable NMC regulations and the facts placed before it, the court held that his case deserved consideration by the competent authorities.
In a separate matter, the High Court considered the petition filed by Dr Swarajit Debbarma, who has been working in the Department of Orthopaedics.
Dr Debbarma had been serving as a Basic Teacher-cum-Registrar/Senior Resident in the Department of Orthopaedics since May 2, 2006. He was subsequently absorbed into government service through the Tripura Public Service Commission in March 2016.
Dr Debbarma had also submitted a representation seeking promotion in July 2025. The state government informed the court that a proposal concerning his promotion, along with proposals relating to other doctors, had already been forwarded to the government for a decision.
However, despite the proposal being placed before the competent authorities, no final decision had been taken on his promotion.
The High Court examined the relevant provisions of the NMC notification and noted that separate eligibility conditions had been prescribed in relation to diploma holders. After considering the service records and qualifications of the petitioner, the court found that Dr Debbarma possessed the requisite qualifications for consideration for promotion.
Justice Palit, while disposing of both writ petitions, directed the respondent authorities to consider the issue of promotion of Dr Bhattacharya and Dr Debbarma to the respective posts of Assistant Professor.
The authorities have been directed to complete the exercise within three months from the date of the respective judgments.
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The orders are expected to bring clarity to the long-pending promotion claims of the two doctors and require the state authorities to take a formal decision within the timeframe fixed by the Tripura High Court.
While the court has directed consideration of their cases under the applicable NMC regulations, the final decision regarding their promotions will be taken by the competent state authorities in accordance with law and the relevant eligibility norms.
