Correspondent, Duranta TV: Fresh questions have surfaced regarding the legitimacy of retired IAS officer Pradeep Kumar Chakravarty’s use of the title “Dr.” before his name.
According to publicly available official records, Pradeep Kumar Chakravarty is a retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the 2006 batch from the Tripura cadre. He was inducted into the IAS from the State Civil Service (SCS). The educational qualifications listed in public records mention an MBA and a B.A. (Honours). However, no PhD degree appears to be mentioned in these publicly accessible records.
Meanwhile, allegations have been raised that Mr. Chakravarty has been using the title “Dr.” for many years. According to claims made by certain individuals, he did not obtain a PhD from any recognized university. Instead, it is alleged that he began using the title on the basis of recognition as an RMP (Registered Medical Practitioner) through an alternative medicine or homeopathy-related institution.
The controversy has gained further attention due to claims that former Tripura Chief Secretary and retired IAS officer R.K. Mathur had advised Mr. Chakravarty against using the “Dr.” title in such a manner. It is also alleged that during Mr. Mathur’s tenure in the state administration, Mr. Chakravarty did not publicly use the title before his name.
Some observers have even remarked that since the Chief Minister uses the title “Dr.”, Mr. Chakravarty, who served as a senior bureaucrat and secretary, may have felt equally entitled to adopt the designation and continue promoting himself with the title.
However, in recent times, Mr. Chakravarty has reportedly claimed in various circles that he uses the title because he has earned a PhD degree. This has prompted further questions. If he has indeed obtained a PhD, then from which university was the degree awarded, in what subject, and in which year? Many believe such information should be placed in the public domain to remove any ambiguity.
For a former senior civil servant, the issue of educational qualifications and professional titles is not merely a personal matter; it is also a matter of public interest. Consequently, the basis on which Mr. Chakravarty uses the title “Dr.” has become a subject of discussion and curiosity among sections of the public and administrative community.
“Repeated attempts were made to seek P.K. Chakravarty’s response on the matter, but no response was received from him till the filing of this report.”