The National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) has played a pivotal role in enhancing healthcare services in the north-eastern region of India. One of the most pressing challenges faced by the government has been ensuring access to quality medical services in the marginalized and remote areas of Northeast India. Addressing this challenge has required a multifaceted approach, incorporating both government and private sector initiatives.
To support this vision, several strategic efforts have been launched over time. Among the most impactful private contributions is the initiative by the “Swadhin Trust” from West Bengal, which successfully established the state-of-the-art “Tripura Santiniketan Medical College” at Rani’s Khamar in Madhuban, near Agartala, the capital of Tripura, within a record time.
This institution has become a beacon of medical excellence in the region.
Supported by the Tripura state government, the college began offering MBBS courses with 150 seats from the academic year 2024–2025, duly approved by the National Medical Commission.
In its first academic session (2024), the college saw an overwhelming number of admissions from across 21 Indian states, a rare feat for any newly established medical institution. The breakdown includes:
Tripura – 47,
West Bengal – 16,
Andhra Pradesh – 1,
Arunachal Pradesh – 4,
Uttar Pradesh – 11,
Assam – 11,
Bihar – 7,
Chhattisgarh – 5,
Gujarat – 2,
Haryana – 7,
Himachal Pradesh – 1,
Jharkhand – 3,
Kerala – 2,
Maharashtra – 17,
Nagaland – 1,
Delhi – 1,
Odisha – 7,
Punjab – 1,
Tamil Nadu – 3,
Telangana – 1,
Uttarakhand – 2.
This remarkable diversity and enrollment scale led to the “India Book of Records” honoring Tripura Santiniketan Medical College with the prestigious title:
“Highest State-wide Admissions in the First Academic Year by a Medical College in India.”
In a further extraordinary achievement, the institution has also been recognized by the Asia Book of Records for this same feat—
“Highest State-wide Enrollment in the Inaugural Academic Session of a Medical College in Asia.”
According to Asia Book of Records, among all 48 countries across Asia, no newly established medical college has ever recorded such wide-ranging national representation in its inaugural session. The college is now in the final stages of formalizing this title under the International Protocol for New Records (IPNR) framework.
District Magistrate of West Tripura, Dr. Vishal Kumar, appreciated the accomplishment, stating:
“For a small state like Tripura, this is a major achievement. I extend special gratitude to the college president, Shri Malay Pit, whose vision made this possible. I am not aware of any other instance like this in the country. This will not only elevate medical education but also contribute to the healthcare system and job creation. The state government will continue to provide support for its further growth.”
Shri Malay Pit, President of the College, expressed his pride and vision:
“This record is not just a milestone for our college but a moment of glory for the entire state of Tripura. With recognition from both India and Asia Book of Records, our responsibilities have grown. We are committed to taking medical education and healthcare to the next level.”
Since August 2024, the college has also started OPD services with a nominal consultation fee of just ₹10, operating from Monday to Saturday (10 am–4 pm), providing affordable care to the public. Discounts on medicines and diagnostics are further enhancing accessibility.
Plans are underway to build a 650-bed hospital within a year, and a 1,100-bed multi-super-specialty hospital in two years. Additionally, the college is initiating a Digital University project in collaboration with the state government to expand services like telemedicine, tele-ICU, teleradiology, and telepathology across the region.
Training programs in multi-skill development for youth are also in the pipeline, aiming to create a skilled healthcare workforce not only for India but globally. Shri Malay Pit emphasized that this will help solve both healthcare access and unemployment in Tripura.
“This recognition by Asia Book of Records is not just a historic moment for Tripura Santiniketan Medical College but a beacon of possibility for all of Asia,” Shri Pit concluded.