Bengaluru: The Karnataka Department of Health and Family Welfare has come under heavy criticism after issuing a revised notification that slashes the monthly stipend for MBBS doctors serving their one-year compulsory rural service.
The controversy began when the department initially announced in August 2025 that MBBS doctors under the National Health Mission (NHM) would receive ₹75,000 per month, those under the Health and Family Welfare Services (HFWS) ₹62,666, and doctors working under the Department of Medical Education ₹50,000.
However, in a revised order dated October 28, 2025, the government reduced the remuneration for doctors under both NHM and HFWS to ₹60,000 per month, cutting ₹15,000 and ₹2,000 from the previously announced amounts. Doctors under the Medical Education Department will continue to receive ₹50,000.
The new order stated, “As approved by the Principal Secretary to the Government, Health and Family Welfare Services, Bengaluru, and until further government orders, the monthly remuneration for MBBS candidates assigned to places under HFWS and NHM to serve one year of compulsory service has been fixed at ₹60,000.”
The decision has sparked widespread anger among doctors across Karnataka and beyond. Many took to social media to express outrage, calling the move “unfair” and a “betrayal” of the state’s medical professionals.
“This is an absolute mockery of a government order,” said Dr. Dhruv Chauhan, National Spokesperson of the Indian Medical Association Junior Doctors Network. He added, “Doctors joined service based on the government’s circular promising ₹75,000 and ₹62,000. Now, two months later, it’s reduced to ₹60,000. This is demoralizing.”
Several doctors compared their pay with other professions, pointing out that entry-level engineers in Karnataka earn a gross salary of ₹80,000–₹90,000 including allowances, despite a shorter course duration.
“Doctors study for 5.5 years and still get paid less than engineers. We’re not asking for luxury—just respect and fairness,” one doctor posted on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter).
Another post read, “First, they promise ₹75,000 to frontline medicos, then quietly slash it to ₹60,000. No notice, no logic, no respect. Is this how a government values its doctors?”
The reduction has intensified calls within the medical community for better pay and working conditions, especially for those serving in rural and underserved areas.
