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Jaipur, July 20, 2025 — Foreign Medical Graduate (FMG) interns serving in Rajasthan’s hospitals say they have not received any stipend payments since 2022, despite multiple appeals to state authorities. According to the students, not a single FMG intern from the current or previous batches has been paid, affecting an estimated 2,500 to 3,000 interns across the state.
Stipends Withheld Despite Legal Mandates
FMG interns began their compulsory internships over seven months ago but report that stipends—mandated by multiple National Medical Commission (NMC) circulars and Supreme Court rulings—have not been provided. Indian Medical Graduates (IMGs) and those posted in central government institutes reportedly continue to receive a monthly stipend of ₹14,000 plus applicable Dearness Allowance (DA). However, interns under the Rajasthan state government remain uncompensated.
Interns allege that officials attribute the issue to the NMC’s 2021 notification, which caps FMG intern seats at 7.5% of a college’s total MBBS intake. With FMGE pass rates rising, more FMGs are admitted, creating what authorities cite as a budgetary strain justifying the lack of stipend payments.
Allegations of Unfair Practices
Some FMGs report being made to sign affidavits on joining, agreeing not to demand stipends—a purported prerequisite for accessing internship seats at certain colleges. Additionally, students claim that internships at non-teaching hospitals, often the only option in their home districts, are not eligible for stipends, pushing them to relocate.
Financial Strain and Ongoing Protests
The non-payment has forced many FMG interns, who often come from modest backgrounds, to take up part-time work in violation of internship policies simply to cover basic expenses. Interns have lodged complaints with the Rajasthan Medical Education Society (RAJMES), the Chief Minister’s Office, and the NMC. So far, they report, no effective resolution or communication has been forthcoming from authorities.
Legal and Policy Background
The NMC’s repeated directives and Supreme Court judgments have established that FMGs are entitled to stipends equivalent to Indian graduates. FMG representatives underscore that their demands are not for special treatment but for enforcement of existing legal provisions.
“We’re not asking for anything illegal, but what is rightfully ours,” said one intern, echoing the collective sentiment of many affected by the state government’s inaction.
Disclaimer: This article is based on student accounts and information reported by EdexLive as of July 19, 2025. The claims and opinions expressed belong to the interviewed individuals and are subject to official clarification or further developments.
