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March 3, 2025
Private medical colleges across India are reportedly saving crores of rupees by either withholding stipends meant for MBBS interns and resident doctors or paying them significantly less than their counterparts in government medical institutions. This alarming issue, reported by the Times of India on March 3, has raised concerns about financial exploitation and lack of oversight in medical education.
Stipend Discrepancies Across Medical Colleges
According to data submitted to the National Medical Commission (NMC), at least 60 medical colleges—including 33 government and 27 private institutions—do not pay their MBBS interns any stipend. This revelation underscores the financial burden placed on medical students, who are already dealing with high tuition fees and living expenses.
The Times of India also reported that many private medical colleges have failed to submit details regarding the stipends they provide. Initially, the NMC had threatened action against non-compliant institutions, but as several colleges continued to ignore requests for data submission, the responsibility for enforcement was shifted to state authorities.
Interns Paid Below Minimum Wage
Thousands of MBBS interns, who perform critical clinical duties during their final-year internship, are being paid below the national floor minimum wage of Rs 5,300 per month. Data submitted by the NMC to the Supreme Court indicates that at least 20 private medical colleges pay their interns Rs 5,000 or less, while several institutions have admitted to not paying them at all.
Despite being aware of the issue since July last year, the NMC has yet to take punitive action against any of the non-compliant medical colleges, further exacerbating the situation.
Regulatory Gaps and Lack of Enforcement
The NMC’s Postgraduate (PG) Medical Education Regulation 2023 mandates that private medical colleges pay resident doctors stipends equivalent to those provided by government colleges in the same state. However, in the absence of strict enforcement, many colleges continue to exploit medical students by underpaying them or withholding their stipends altogether.
Medical students and professionals have voiced their frustration over the lack of accountability in private medical institutions. Calls for stricter monitoring and penalties for non-compliance are growing louder, as students struggle with financial hardships while fulfilling essential healthcare duties.
The Road Ahead
With pressure mounting from medical students, advocacy groups, and legal authorities, there is an urgent need for the NMC and state governments to ensure fair compensation for interns and resident doctors. As the medical community awaits concrete action, many continue to demand transparency, stricter regulations, and the enforcement of existing policies to prevent further exploitation.
Disclaimer: This article is based on reports from the Times of India and publicly available data. The information presented is intended for general awareness and does not constitute legal or financial advice.
