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Srinagar, May 14, 2025:
MBBS interns across government medical colleges in Jammu and Kashmir are raising their voices for a long-overdue increase in their monthly stipend, currently set at a meagre Rs 12,000. The interns have appealed to the state Government and the Health and Medical Education (H&ME) Department to implement the recommendations of a government-appointed committee, which proposed raising the stipend to Rs 26,350 per month.
Background and Committee Recommendations
In June 2023, the J&K Government constituted a committee under the Director Finance of the H&ME Department to review the stipend structure for MBBS interns. The committee submitted its report in August 2023, recommending the stipend be increased to Rs 26,350-half the basic pay of a Medical Officer in the state, in line with National Medical Commission (NMC) norms.
Despite these recommendations, the proposal has been pending with the Finance Department since January 2024, with no progress for over a year. The interns express frustration over the delay, especially as their peers in other states have seen their stipends increased two to three times in the past five years.
Interns Voice Concerns
A delegation of interns highlighted the stark disparity, stating, “We work diligently, often putting in extra hours and performing every duty of a resident doctor, yet our compensation is lower than that of daily laborers.” They also pointed out that the last revision of their stipend was in January 2019 during the Governor’s rule, making it the lowest in the country.
In October 2024, some interns met with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar, where they were assured of parity with interns in other states. However, the issue remains unresolved, leading to growing discontent among the medical fraternity in the region.
Renewed Appeals for Government Action
Last week, representatives from various Government Medical Colleges in J&K met with the Deputy Chief Minister, Advisor to the Chief Minister, and the Health Minister, submitting a detailed memorandum outlining the urgency of the issue. They called for the Chief Minister’s personal intervention, citing increasing financial burdens and widening disparities with other states.
The interns believe that the stipend hike would not only bring much-needed financial relief but also serve as recognition for their frontline role in patient care.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on information reported by Medical Dialogues and other public sources as of May 2025. The situation may evolve, and readers are advised to consult official government releases or the Health and Medical Education Department for the latest updates.
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