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New Delhi, June 25, 2025 — The National Medical Commission (NMC) has informed the Supreme Court that numerous private medical colleges across India are failing to pay adequate stipends to MBBS interns, with some institutions offering meagre sums or none at all. This revelation comes as the Supreme Court prepares to hear pleas challenging the non-payment of stipends to MBBS interns in July 2025.
The issue gained traction after allegations surfaced that up to 70% of medical colleges in the country were not paying any stipend to their interns. The Supreme Court had previously directed the NMC to file an affidavit detailing which colleges were complying with stipend regulations and which were not. However, the court noted that the initial data submitted by the NMC was incomplete and ordered the commission to provide comprehensive details from all states within four weeks.
According to recent submissions, 60 medical colleges—comprising 27 private and 33 government-run institutions—are reportedly not paying any stipend to their medical interns, despite the interns’ demanding clinical duties in their final year. Regulations mandate that private medical colleges pay stipends on par with government colleges in their respective states or union territories, but the 2021 internship regulations lack clarity, and enforcement has been inconsistent.
Interns at government medical colleges can receive stipends of up to ₹35,000 per month, while some private colleges pay as little as ₹2,000 to ₹5,000 per month, even as tuition fees in these institutions range from ₹65 lakh to over ₹1 crore. There have also been allegations, particularly from states like Telangana and Karnataka, that some private colleges require interns to return a significant portion of their stipend in cash after it is credited to their accounts. Interns further allege threats of academic penalties if they raise concerns, all while working 36- to 40-hour duty shifts.
The Supreme Court has previously ruled that both government and private medical colleges must pay stipends to interns. In November 2024, the NMC issued show-cause notices to 198 colleges for failing to submit required stipend details, following a directive from the court. Despite these measures, enforcement remains a challenge, with the NMC often attributing responsibility to state authorities.
As the Supreme Court prepares to address the issue in July, the plight of MBBS interns in private medical colleges remains a pressing concern for medical education and healthcare delivery in India.
“The NMC is being evasive regarding the action taken against the medical colleges stating it is the discretion of state authorities. It is clear that the NMC is solely responsible for non-compliance of regulations by private medical colleges regarding payment of stipend,” said Dr. KV Babu, an ophthalmologist and RTI activist.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on publicly available information and recent media reports regarding the non-payment of stipends to MBBS interns in private medical colleges, as highlighted by the National Medical Commission in submissions to the Supreme Court. The matter is currently under judicial consideration, and the situation may evolve as the Supreme Court reviews the case and issues further directions.
