Over 51,000 government posts are currently lying vacant across different departments in Tripura, with the highest number of shortages in the Education and Health sectors. The data was shared in the state assembly, raising serious concerns about the delivery of public services. Out of the total sanctioned posts of around 1.86 lakh, only 1.34 lakh are currently filled, which means nearly 27% of seats are lying empty. This shortage is directly affecting government schools, hospitals, and public welfare offices.
I felt this topic needed attention because these vacancies are not just numbers—they reflect the ground reality of people in Tripura struggling to access basic services. As someone who follows state employment and public service issues closely, I believe it’s important to highlight how such massive gaps in government recruitment can impact daily life. Vacant posts in teaching and healthcare affect not just service delivery, but also the trust people have in government institutions. It’s also a reminder that job creation through public recruitment is still a major concern, especially in smaller states like Tripura.
Education and Health Departments Top the Vacancy List
According to the latest figures presented in the assembly, the highest number of unfilled posts belong to the Education and Health Departments.
In numbers:
| Department | Vacant Posts |
|---|---|
| Education | 18,484 |
| Health | 5,696 |
In the Education Department alone, the lack of teachers is affecting schools in both urban and rural areas. Many schools reportedly have no subject-specific teachers, forcing them to rely on temporary or under-qualified staff. This directly affects students’ learning, especially in tribal and remote areas where government schools are the only option.
In the Health Department, the shortage of doctors, nurses, and technicians has hit primary health centres (PHCs) and district hospitals hard. With nearly 5,700 posts unfilled, patients often have to travel long distances or wait for hours to get basic medical care.
Other Key Departments Also Affected
It’s not just health and education—many other departments are struggling due to manpower shortages. Departments like Public Works (PWD), Forest, Home, Agriculture, and Rural Development are also operating below capacity.
Here are a few examples:
- Public Works Department has 1,609 vacant posts
- Forest Department has 2,067 vacancies
- Agriculture Department is short by 1,087 employees
- Rural Development has 1,224 unfilled posts
- The Home Department, which includes police, is also under-staffed by 5,003 positions
Such gaps can delay development projects, affect rural employment schemes, and reduce administrative efficiency.
What’s Causing the Delay in Recruitment?
There are several reasons behind this growing vacancy issue in Tripura:
- Slow recruitment process: Delays in competitive exams and appointment procedures are a major issue.
- Retirements: Many posts have been left vacant after retirements, but fresh hiring hasn’t kept pace.
- Policy freeze: In some departments, new recruitment policies or restructuring plans have caused temporary freezes.
- Dependency on contractual workers: Instead of permanent hiring, many departments rely on short-term or outsourced staff.
These problems have built up over the years and need an urgent fix if the government wants to ensure proper functioning of its services.
Public Impact and Daily Struggles
I’ve spoken to friends and colleagues from Tripura who often talk about these issues. Students preparing for board exams without proper subject teachers, rural health centres running with just one doctor, and citizens standing in long queues at government offices with no clerical staff—it’s a common story.
For example:
- A school in Dhalai district has 300 students but only 4 teachers
- A PHC in South Tripura was recently operating without a full-time doctor for over two months
- In many police stations, lower staff numbers have slowed down complaint registration and response
When government jobs remain vacant, it’s not just a matter of unemployment—it’s about failing the people who depend on those services.
Government’s Response and What Needs to Be Done
The state government has acknowledged the issue and claimed that recruitment is underway through various channels, including TPSC (Tripura Public Service Commission), TET (Teacher Eligibility Test), and other department-specific drives.
Steps announced include:
- Fresh notifications for teaching and medical posts
- Contractual appointments in emergency departments
- Digital platforms to speed up recruitment tracking
However, unless a fixed timeline is followed and transparency is maintained, these announcements may not bring quick relief. What’s needed is a clear roadmap for filling posts, priority for departments that serve the public directly, and a system to prevent such large gaps in future.
