Kerala Medical College Teachers hold candlelight protest over pay arrears
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Government Medical College Teachers Association (KGMCTA) organised a candlelight demonstration as part of its effort to draw the government’s attention to its long-pending demands. The association has been continuing its strike since July 1, 2025, seeking the release of pending salary dues along with several other unresolved issues.
The protest was an attempt to highlight the concerns of members and urge the authorities to take prompt action to address their long-standing grievances. The demands of the association include full payment of salary arrears, creation of sufficient doctor posts considering patient numbers, correction of promotion period as per NMC norms, improvement of basic facilities and treatment arrangements, payment of DA arrears, resolution of pension ceiling issues, and ensuring safe working conditions.
In a press release, KGMCTA pointed out that although the salary gap in the entry cadre has been partially corrected, there has been no sincere effort from the government to address major demands, including salary arrears. In this context, KGMCTA conducted a candlelight protest at all government medical colleges on February 11, 2026.
The state-level inauguration was held at Trivandrum Medical College, led by State President Dr Rosenara Beegum T. Around 100 people, including doctors, students, and PTA members, participated in the protest. Units in other medical colleges also conducted candlelight protests led by unit office bearers. The strike continued with chattapadi struggle, non-cooperation, and relay satyagraha.
The relay satyagraha at Trivandrum Medical College has entered its 15th day. If a favorable decision is not made, an indefinite teaching boycott and an OPD boycott will begin from February 16. Non-emergency surgeries and procedures will be stopped from February 19, and university exam work will be boycotted from February 26. “Essential services like casualty, labor room, ICU, IP treatment, emergency surgeries, and post-mortem examinations are excluded from the strike. The organization regrets the inconvenience caused to patients and appeals for public cooperation,” the association added.
Previously, Medical Dialogues reported that KGMCTA decided to intensify its ongoing protest from February 16 over pending demands, including the rectification of anomalies in the pay revision order. The doctors were supposed to launch an indefinite boycott of outpatient services along with a suspension of academic activities. KGMCTA announced a revised schedule of protests following a decision taken by its Central Executive Committee on February 9, 2026.
