ArdorComm Media News Network
September 2, 2026
MBBS and BDS interns across medical colleges in Jammu and Kashmir have launched an indefinite strike demanding an increase in their monthly stipend from the existing Rs 12,300 to Rs 30,000. The interns staged dharnas in Jammu, alleging that their stipend has remained unchanged for nearly seven years despite repeated representations to the authorities.
The protesting interns said the current stipend has failed to keep pace with inflation, rising living costs and the compensation offered to medical interns in other states. They also highlighted the workload involved in their clinical duties, including emergency services, night shifts and rural postings.
Dr Shahnawaz, one of the protesting interns, said MBBS and BDS interns across J&K had joined the agitation over the long-pending demand. He said interns routinely work 24-hour and night shifts and are posted in rural areas, while receiving roughly Rs 400 a day.
According to the interns, stipends in several other states range between Rs 25,000 and Rs 45,000 or more. They argued that since interns across the country perform broadly similar clinical responsibilities, the significant difference in stipends is difficult to justify.
The protesters said interns are often among the first medical personnel to attend to patients in emergency departments and also assist doctors in OPDs, wards, procedures and other hospital services. Despite these responsibilities, they continue to receive Rs 12,300 a month in J&K.
“We have launched an indefinite strike and are on dharna in support of our demand to enhance our stipend to Rs 30,000,” said Dr Abhinav Bhat, another protesting intern. He added that the interns want a formal written order from the government rather than verbal assurances.
The interns also pointed to previous efforts to revise the stipend. According to Dr Bhat, a committee constituted by the Health and Medical Education Department in 2023 had recommended increasing the stipend to around Rs 25,000 for 2025-26. The matter was subsequently raised during the 2026 Assembly session, where a proposed stipend of around Rs 26,300 was mentioned.
However, the interns claimed that the proposed revision has not yet been implemented and that the file remains pending. They alleged that they have received conflicting information regarding its status, with different officials directing them towards the Chief Minister’s office or the Finance Department.
The comparative figures shared by the protesting interns show a substantial gap between J&K and several other states. Odisha has the highest listed monthly stipend at Rs 44,319, followed by West Bengal at Rs 43,099 and Assam at Rs 35,000. Karnataka offers Rs 30,000, while Kerala provides Rs 27,300 and Delhi and Meghalaya Rs 26,300.
Telangana’s stipend is listed at Rs 25,900, while Arunachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh offer Rs 25,000. Tamil Nadu provides around Rs 25,000, followed by Haryana at Rs 24,310 and Andhra Pradesh at approximately Rs 21,840.
Gujarat, Bihar, Goa and Himachal Pradesh offer around Rs 20,000 a month, while Puducherry provides Rs 18,000. In comparison, J&K’s Rs 12,300 stipend is the lowest among the figures cited by the interns.
The protesters said their demand for a Rs 30,000 stipend takes into account both inflation and the responsibilities handled by interns in government medical colleges. Their banners carried the message, “Same work, same dedication and fair stipend.”
The interns have maintained that the strike will continue indefinitely until the government accepts their demand and formally issues an order revising the stipend.
Source: PTI