Kerala Medical College Teachers Escalate Protests with Candlelight Vigil Over Long-Delayed Pay Arrears

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Kerala Government Medical College Teachers’ Association (KGMCTA) members held statewide candlelight protests on February 11, 2026, to press for unpaid salary arrears and other demands amid an ongoing strike since July 2025. The symbolic demonstrations, inaugurated at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College by State President Dr. Rosenara Beegum T, drew around 100 participants including doctors, students, and parents-teachers association members. This escalation highlights deepening frustrations with the state government’s handling of pay revisions, potentially threatening outpatient services from February 16 if unresolved.medicaldialogues+2

Protest Details and Immediate Actions

The candlelight vigils occurred simultaneously across all government medical colleges in Kerala, marking a poignant phase in the KGMCTA’s multi-month agitation. Protests incorporated chattapadi struggles (symbolic foot marches), non-cooperation, and a relay satyagraha at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College, now in its 15th day. Essential services like casualty care, ICUs, labor rooms, inpatient treatment, emergency surgeries, and post-mortems remain unaffected, with the association expressing regret over any patient inconvenience and seeking public support.x+1

KGMCTA announced further intensification: indefinite teaching and outpatient (OPD) boycotts from February 16, suspension of non-emergency surgeries from February 19, and university exam work boycott from February 26. This follows a Central Executive Committee meeting on February 9, 2026, which reviewed failed government talks. Previous OP boycotts in October and November 2025 disrupted services but were temporarily suspended after partial assurances, only to resume due to inaction.timesofindia.indiatimes+3

Core Demands and Historical Context

At the heart of the protests are unpaid salary revision arrears dating back to January 2016, following a 2020 pay revision modeled on UGC-AICTE patterns but delayed by over four years. While other state employees received arrears in installments (two credited to provident funds by 2025), medical teachers—whose salaries are fully state-funded despite NMC oversight—have seen none disbursed, despite a 2021 order promising four installments from April 2023. Entry-level pay anomalies for assistant professors persist, alongside five pending Dearness Allowance (DA) installments totaling 16% (from July 2023 to July 2025).medicaldialogues+2

Additional demands include creating doctor posts proportional to patient loads per NMC norms, ending arbitrary transfers, raising pension ceilings, improving facilities, and ensuring safe working conditions. Doctors highlight their high-risk roles during COVID-19 and Nipah outbreaks, arguing for recognition beyond other civil servants. The strike originated July 1, 2025, after years of advocacy, with phased actions like relay OP boycotts.english.newsperseconds+4

Systemic Challenges: Doctor Shortages and Workload

Kerala’s government medical colleges face acute faculty shortages, exacerbating the crisis. As of recent reports, 303-344 doctor vacancies exist, projected to rise with 41 retirements in April, crippling education and treatment. A 2023 CAG audit revealed tertiary hospitals operating at 35-82% of sanctioned doctor strength, with homoeopathy colleges at just 35%. Outpatient disruptions during prior boycotts were managed by postgraduate students and residents, but sustained action risks deeper impacts.onmanorama+2

This manpower gap stems from unfilled PSC vacancies, promotion delays, and no new posts despite rising patient volumes, threatening NMC compliance and medical education quality. KGMCTA argues that understaffing endangers patient care and teaching, demanding war-footing appointments.news9live+2

Government Response and Stalemate

The Kerala government has offered partial fixes, like entry-cadre salary corrections, but major issues like arrears remain unaddressed. On February 2, 2026, additional chief secretaries from health and finance sought a week’s legal advice on arrears, prompting a brief OP boycott suspension. However, no favorable decisions followed, leading to escalation. Critics within the medical community decry the budget’s neglect of medical faculty while clearing other employees’ dues.thehindu+4

No official government rebuttal to the February 11 protests appears in recent reports, though past meetings with Health Minister Veena George yielded no breakthroughs. The association views delays as “deceptive,” urging prompt legal clearance and payments.newindianexpress+1

Public Health Implications and Patient Impact

These protests underscore vulnerabilities in Kerala’s public health system, reliant on 11 government medical colleges for tertiary care. Past boycotts inconvenienced hundreds, with OPs halted and surgeries rescheduled, though emergencies continued seamlessly. Prolonged action could strain resources, delay non-urgent care, and deter patients from affordable government facilities, pushing them to costlier private options.onmanorama+2

For healthcare professionals, morale erosion risks talent flight, worsening shortages amid national doctor deficits. Balanced pay and staffing are vital for sustaining Kerala’s high health indices, including low infant mortality and robust pandemic response. Patients, especially from low-income groups, bear indirect costs, prompting calls for swift resolution to safeguard access.thehindu+1

Expert Perspectives and Balanced Views

Dr. Rosenara Beegum T, KGMCTA State President, emphasized, “Medical college faculty fall under NMC, not UGC; our salaries are state-funded, yet arrears ignore our COVID sacrifices.” (Paraphrased from statements; direct quotes unavailable in sources.)[medicaldialogues]

Non-involved experts echo concerns. A senior professor at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College noted minimized impacts via planning but warned of long-term risks. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has not issued specific commentary, but analogous national disputes highlight pay disparities’ role in retention. Counterarguments suggest fiscal constraints post-pandemic limit arrears, though doctors counter that other sectors received payments. Limitations include potential over-reliance on protests amid patient needs, but KGMCTA insists on phased, essential-service-sparing actions.newindianexpress+3

Looking Ahead: Pathways to Resolution

Resolution hinges on government action before February 16 deadlines, potentially averting widespread disruptions. Stakeholders urge dialogue, with KGMCTA open to talks if sincere. For readers, this saga illustrates how fair compensation sustains public health infrastructure—monitor official updates and support balanced advocacy. Practical takeaway: Essential services persist, but plan alternatives for routine care during escalations.medicaldialogues+1

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Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals before making any health-related decisions or changes to your treatment plan. The information presented here is based on current research and expert opinions, which may evolve as new evidence emerges.

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