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Hyderabad, June 23, 2025 — Intern doctors at several private medical colleges in Telangana have raised serious allegations against their institutes, claiming that college authorities are flouting government mandates on stipend payments and resorting to exploitative practices to recover cash from students.
According to reports, interns at the Patnam Mahender Reddy Institute of Medical Sciences (PMIMRS) allege that while Rs 25,000 is credited to their bank accounts every month, college authorities subsequently withdraw Rs 20,000 in cash. “We are made to open specific bank accounts just for this purpose. It is all a show so they can claim compliance on paper,” an intern told reporters. The allegations come amid ongoing protests by interns demanding fair stipends as mandated by the 2023 Government Order, which requires a minimum monthly stipend of Rs 25,906 for medical interns in both government and private colleges.
Interns claim that when they raised concerns, college management offered to waive bus and hostel fees in lieu of stipends. However, students report that these promises remain unfulfilled. “We work 36-hour to 40-hour shifts, caring for real patients, often in inadequate facilities, and instead of fair pay, we are being extorted and silenced,” another intern said.
The issue is not isolated to PMIMRS. Interns at other private medical colleges, such as Chalmeda Anand Rao Medical College in Karimnagar, report receiving only Rs 2,000 per month as stipend, paid as a lump sum after six months. “We are sent on compulsory field visits but are not allowed to use our personal vehicles. The college insists we use their bus and then deducts transport charges from our stipend. For two to three months, we end up getting only ₹500 or ₹1,000,” an intern explained.
Students also report fear of retaliation. “If someone raises their voice individually, they are threatened with academic retaliation, blocking logbooks or delaying internship completion. That could make us ineligible for NEET-PG, so most remain silent,” said an intern.
Some colleges are reportedly citing a 2003 Government Order, which allowed a one-time ‘stipend fee’ of Rs 5,000 per year, to justify current practices. However, interns argue that this order has been superseded by more recent regulations and National Medical Commission (NMC) directives.
Protests have erupted across multiple colleges, including Mahavir Institute of Medical Sciences (MIMS), Vikarabad, where house surgeons recently called off their strike after assurances from authorities. However, at TRR Institute of Medical Sciences, Patancheru, interns resumed protests due to repeated delays and lack of concrete resolution from management.
Disclaimer:
This news article is based on media reports and statements from medical interns. The allegations made by the students have not been independently verified. The views expressed are those of the sources cited and do not necessarily reflect the official stance of the colleges or regulatory authorities. Further investigation by competent authorities is required to ascertain the facts.
