Fresh Recruitment Process Announced for Assistant Professor, Associate Professor and Professor Positions in State Medical Colleges
Kolkata: In a significant development affecting medical education in West Bengal, the state government has withdrawn the ongoing promotion process for faculty positions under the Medical Education Service and directed authorities to conduct a fresh round of applications and interviews.
According to a notification issued by the Directorate of Medical Education (DME), the promotion panel prepared after interviews conducted in March for the posts of Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Professor in government medical colleges and hospitals has been cancelled. Eligible candidates will now be required to apply again and participate in a new selection process.
Major Faculty Shortage in West Bengal Medical Education System
The decision comes at a time when the state’s medical education sector is facing a significant shortage of teaching faculty. As per vacancy data released by the Health Department, there are currently 226 vacant Professor posts, 471 vacant Associate Professor posts, and 328 vacant Assistant Professor posts across government medical institutions.
The vacancies have raised concerns regarding faculty availability and academic activities in state-run medical colleges.
March Interview Process Scrapped
Sources within the health department revealed that interviews for faculty promotions had already been completed in March, with candidates from various medical specialties appearing before selection boards. A promotion panel had reportedly been prepared based on the interview outcomes.
However, the latest notification nullifies the earlier exercise and mandates a completely fresh recruitment process. The government has not yet provided an official explanation for the withdrawal of the previously prepared panel.
Fresh Applications Mandatory for All Candidates
Under the revised schedule, online applications will be accepted from June 15 to June 30. Importantly, candidates who had already applied and appeared in the earlier process will also be required to submit fresh applications.
The Directorate of Medical Education has stated that dates for the new round of interviews will be announced separately.
Faculty Members Express Concern Over Lack of Clarity
The decision has triggered uncertainty among teaching doctors and faculty members awaiting promotion orders.
Several medical educators have expressed surprise over the cancellation, noting that the interview process had already been completed months ago. Faculty members have also raised concerns regarding the absence of an official explanation for restarting the selection exercise.
Health Department officials have so far declined to comment on the reasons behind the withdrawal of the earlier promotion panel.
Impact on Medical Education
Experts believe that timely filling of vacant teaching positions is crucial for maintaining academic standards, postgraduate training, and healthcare services in government medical colleges. The fresh recruitment process will now be closely watched by faculty members and medical education stakeholders across the state.
