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New Delhi, July 16, 2025:
In a major development for medical education equity, the Supreme Court has directed Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) to release internship stipend arrears to 11 Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs), ensuring they receive the same monthly stipend as their Indian Medical Graduate (IMG) counterparts. The direction mandates payment of Rs 26,300 per month to the FMGs within two weeks, aligning their financial treatment with the Indian graduates already receiving the stipend.
The FMGs—a group of students who completed their primary medical education abroad before interning at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, AMU—petitioned the Supreme Court after being excluded from stipend payments during their compulsory internship. The petition, represented by Advocate Charu Mathur, highlighted that while IMGs at AMU are paid Rs 26,300 per month, FMGs at the same institution were unpaid, despite FMGs at other central universities, such as Banaras Hindu University (BHU), receiving equivalent stipends1.
The plea asserted that AMU had not released stipends to the FMGs even though the university’s 2023–2024 annual report showed sufficient salary funds allocated by the University Grants Commission (UGC). Petitioners argued that this persistent withholding, despite clear UGC communication and availability of funds, perpetuated an “unjust and discriminatory situation”1.
Referencing the National Medical Commission (NMC) Regulations, 2021, the petitioners underscored that all interns are entitled to equal stipend as fixed by the respective institutional authorities. The Supreme Court, in its order, has set a two-week deadline for AMU to comply and level the treatment of FMGs and IMGs.
This ruling follows recent Supreme Court observations in similar cases from other institutions, spotlighting the persistent issue of non-payment of stipends to FMGs during internships—a problem flagged as discriminatory by both the judiciary and affected students.
The court’s intervention also comes amidst a nationwide review of stipend practices for FMGs, with the NMC requiring all medical colleges to publicly disclose stipend details paid to interns via their official platforms.
Disclaimer: This news article is based on publicly available reports as of July 16, 2025, and is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and readers are encouraged to consult official or primary sources for further information and updates.
