New Delhi: Amid growing demands for uniform stipend for MBBS interns across India, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has stated that it will not take further action on the issue, clarifying that the matter falls entirely under the jurisdiction of the National Medical Commission (NMC).
RTI Reply Clarifies Government’s Stand
The response came through a Right to Information (RTI) application filed by Kerala-based ophthalmologist Dr KV Babu, who has been consistently raising concerns over disparity in stipends paid to MBBS interns across medical colleges.
In its reply dated April 2, 2026, the Ministry stated that all matters related to framing, amendment, and implementation of medical education regulations fall under the purview of the NMC, and therefore, no further intervention from its Medical Education Policy (MEP) section is required.
NMC Board Cites Statutory Process for Amendments
Responding to the same RTI, the Under-Graduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) under NMC reiterated that any amendment to the Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship Regulations 2021 would require a statutory process and consultations with relevant authorities.
The board emphasized that while the regulations mandate payment of stipend, the actual amount is determined by respective states and institutions based on financial capacity.
Long-Standing Demand for Stipend Parity
The issue dates back to 2022, when Dr Babu first raised objections over the lack of uniform stipend provisions in the CRMI Regulations. He had urged the government to amend Clause 6.3 to ensure that all interns receive stipends on par with those in government medical colleges.
Currently, government colleges typically pay interns between ₹20,000 and ₹30,000 per month, while many private colleges either offer significantly lower stipends or none at all. According to NMC data from 2025, 60 out of 555 medical colleges were not paying any stipend, with several others offering less than ₹5,000 monthly.
Supreme Court Had Pulled Up NMC
The Supreme Court of India had earlier taken a strong view on the issue. In its October 28, 2025 order, the court criticized the NMC for delays, observing that it was “dragging its feet” and directed it to take necessary action while asking the Ministry to ensure compliance.
Ministry Had Earlier Written to NMC
Following the court’s observations, the Ministry had written to the NMC in late 2025, asking it to examine stipend-related provisions in light of similar rules under the PGMER Regulations, 2023. However, no concrete amendment has been made so far.
Allegations of Inconsistent Approach
Dr Babu has alleged inconsistency in the Ministry’s stance, claiming that while it refrains from directing the NMC on stipend parity, it had intervened in other regulatory matters in the past.
He further criticized both the government and the UGMEB, alleging a lack of intent to address the issue despite judicial scrutiny and prolonged demands.
Vacancy Issues at NMC Also Highlighted
The matter gains further significance as 19 out of 54 sanctioned posts at the NMC remain vacant, raising concerns about the regulator’s capacity to address key policy issues effectively.
Issue Remains Unresolved
With the Ministry stepping back and the NMC citing procedural constraints, the demand for a uniform stipend for MBBS interns continues to remain unresolved, leaving thousands of medical graduates across the country affected.
