New Delhi: The National Medical Commission (NMC) has yet to disclose the actions taken against 198 medical colleges and institutions accused of violating stipend regulations for undergraduate interns, postgraduate residents, and senior residents. Despite issuing show-cause notices in November 2024, the NMC has refused to share updates, citing the matter as sub judice.
Violation Details
The violations span government and private institutions across Telangana, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. These institutions failed to submit stipend payment details to the NMC, despite explicit instructions. Notable colleges like Maulana Azad Medical College in Delhi were named in the show-cause notices following a Supreme Court directive.
RTI Responses and Activist’s Concerns
Kerala-based RTI activist Dr. K.V. Babu, who sought details of the stipend violations, expressed concerns over the NMC’s lack of transparency. “The NMC has a history of shielding private colleges that violate stipend regulations,” he said. He pointed out discrepancies, such as the NMC’s willingness to disclose show-cause notices on its website but refusal to share further actions under the guise of sub judice matters.
In response to Dr. Babu’s December 2024 RTI application, the NMC stated that the case had been transferred to the legal section of the Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) and declined to share updates, citing legal proceedings.
Persistent Violations
A 2023 survey by the NMC revealed that over 2,000 postgraduate students—primarily in private colleges—had not received stipends. The NHRC had previously urged the NMC to deregister colleges that failed to clear stipend arrears dating back to July 2021. However, little action has been reported.
Disparity in Stipends
The survey also highlighted a stark disparity in stipends across institutions. Government hospitals pay postgraduate students between ₹45,000 and ₹95,000, while private colleges offer significantly lower amounts, some less than ₹25,000, often in instalments.
Show-Cause Notices
In a November 2024 notice, NMC Secretary Dr. B. Srinivas warned defaulting institutions to submit stipend details immediately or face penal action. Violators include:
- Government Colleges: Telangana and Rajasthan (12 each), Maharashtra (11), Karnataka (10), Tamil Nadu and Kerala (6 each).
- Private Colleges: Telangana (13), Karnataka (10), Maharashtra (9), Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh (8 each).
Doctors’ Associations Raise Concerns
Resident doctors’ associations like FAIMA and FORDA have repeatedly highlighted these stipend violations. Despite assurances from the NHRC and NMC, interns and residents continue to face delayed or unpaid stipends, alongside long working hours.
Call for Accountability
The medical community is demanding stronger accountability from the NMC to ensure that interns and residents receive fair and timely compensation for their work. The ongoing silence and lack of action against violators only deepen concerns about transparency and fairness in medical education.
