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The recent directive from the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), India, has instructed the National Medical Commission (NMC) to examine and implement uniform pay for MBBS interns across government and private medical colleges within each state or Union Territory. This move aims to address longstanding disparities in internship stipends, which currently vary widely depending on whether a medical student is interning in a government institution or a private one, often placing interns in private colleges at a financial disadvantage despite equivalent work.
Background and Current Stipend Disparity
The issue arises primarily from the differing regulations governing undergraduate and postgraduate medical education stipends. The Postgraduate Medical Education Regulations (PGMER) of 2023 mandates that postgraduate students receive equal stipends across all institutions within the same state or UT, whether government or private. Specifically, Section 5.4 of PGMER 2023 states that postgraduate students must be paid a stipend at par with those in state government or central government medical colleges where the institution is located.
However, for MBBS interns, the existing Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) Regulations, 2021, allow the stipend to be fixed by the institute, university, or state authority, resulting in wide variability and often lower or no stipend in private colleges. A typical stipend range in government medical colleges in India for MBBS interns is between ₹20,000 and ₹30,000 per month, whereas private institutions may pay anywhere from ₹0 to ₹15,000, with some reports of no stipend being offered at all.
MoHFW Directive to NMC
On November 6, 2025, following representations by health activist Dr. K.V. Babu and concerns raised about stipend disparities placing interns under undue financial stress, the MoHFW formally instructed the NMC Secretary to re-examine the CRMI Regulations concerning stipend provisions. The Ministry emphasized harmonizing MBBS intern stipend policies with those found in postgraduate regulations to ensure equal pay for equal work, regardless of the nature of the medical college.
The Ministry’s letter explicitly requested the NMC to evaluate the stipend provision, highlighting the similarity in postgraduate regulations as a benchmark for reform. This directive follows public interest litigations and the Supreme Court’s intervention that reprimanded lax enforcement of stipend rules by some medical colleges and urged NMC to enforce compliance strictly.
Expert Perspectives on Uniform Stipend
Dr. Ashok Bhardwaj, a senior medical educator unaffiliated with the NMC, supports this step, stating, “Uniform stipends for MBBS interns would help reduce financial inequity and ensure that interns can focus on their clinical training without the burden of financial stress. It will also enhance the dignity of the internship period, which is critical for hands-on learning” .
A public health policy analyst, notes that “While the policy to equalize stipends is welcome, it is crucial that implementation is accompanied by clear monitoring and punitive actions against non-compliant institutions, as the economic pressures on interns vary widely across states and colleges”
Implications for Public Health and Medical Education
Uniform stipends for MBBS interns are expected to improve morale, reduce attrition rates, and promote fairness. Since interns contribute significantly to the healthcare delivery system in India, often working long and demanding shifts, their adequate financial support is necessary for maintaining quality care and motivation.
This move also aligns with broader goals of medical education reform, seeking equitable learning conditions for all students and rectifying exploitative practices prevalent particularly in some private and deemed universities. Transparency regarding stipend payments is expected to increase, as NMC has mandated medical colleges to publish stipend details and report them formally.
Limitations and Counterarguments
A challenge in this reform is the variation in state government budgets and financial capabilities, meaning stipend amounts differ across states and fixing a uniform national stipend may not be feasible. The NMC only mandates parity within a state, leaving the stipend amount determined by state governments or institution authorities. Also, some private institutions argue that they may face financial difficulties matching stipends offered by state-run colleges.
Another practical issue is enforcement. Despite existing NMC rules, compliance has been slow, prompting Supreme Court intervention. Effective enforcement mechanisms with penalties for non-compliance are necessary to realize this policy’s benefits fully.
Practical Implications for Interns
For MBBS students and interns and their families, uniform stipends could alleviate financial burdens during one of the most demanding training phases. Reliable remuneration enables interns to cover daily expenses such as transportation, accommodation, and exam preparation coaching, which are currently significant out-of-pocket costs without standardized support.
Interns should remain informed about their stipend rights and encourage transparency from their institutions. Regular updates from NMC and the Ministry will help monitor progress and ensure accountability.
Medical Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals before making any health-related decisions or changes to your treatment plan. The information presented here is based on current research and expert opinions, which may evolve as new evidence emerges.
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