2,642 doctor posts to be filled by end of February: T.N. Health Minister

Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma. Subramaniam takes part in the National Deworming Day event at the Velachery Government Higher Secondary School in Chennai on February 10, 2025. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

A total of 2,642 posts of doctors will be filled in Tamil Nadu by the end of February, Health Minister Ma. Subramanian said on Monday (February 10, 2025).

Shortly after launching the National Deworming Day campaign in Chennai, the Minister said that the Medical Services Recruitment Board (MRB) had conducted the computer-based examination for the post of 2,553 assistant surgeons on January 5. About 24,000 doctors appeared for the examination. The list of qualified candidates was released recently.

“We have identified another 89 vacancies. So, a total of 2,642 doctors will be recruited,” he told reporters.

Of those who appeared for the examination, 4,585 candidates have qualified. Certificate verification for these candidates would be held from February 12 to 15 following which they would be ranked as per a Supreme Court direction. After this, communal rotation would be implemented.

Mr. Subramanian noted that cut-off marks were announced for the candidates: General category – 61, Backward Classes – 55, Backward Classes (Muslim) – 52, Most Backward Classes – 53, Scheduled Caste – 51, Scheduled Caste (Arunthathiyar) – 48 and Scheduled Tribe – 45.

“Counselling for the candidates would be held after February 20,” he said, adding that the Chief Minister would hand over the appointment orders to the 2,642 candidates by the end of the month. “Once the 2,642 posts are filled, there will not be a single vacant post (of doctors) in hospitals in Tamil Nadu,” he said.

The Minister earlier said that in line with the National Deworming Day campaign, albendazole tablets would be given at a total of 1,14,887 centres – 46,138 government schools, 12,201 private schools, 2,109 colleges and 54,439 anganwadi centres. As many as 1.30 lakh employees were engaged in the campaign. This included anganwadi centre staff, health staff, Accredited Social Health Activists and teachers.

A total of 2.69 crore persons – 2.15 crore persons aged 0 to 19 years and 54.67 lakh women aged 20 to 30 – would be covered under the campaign in the State. Those left out would be covered through a special camp on February 17, he added.