Rajasthan Private Medical Colleges Paying MBBS Interns, Resident doctors Far Lesser than Govt Mandate: Reveals RTI

Jaipur: Despite the Government mandate fixing Rs 14,000 as the stipend amount for the MBBS interns and Rs 55,000 to Rs 70,000 for the resident doctors, several private medical colleges in Rajasthan are paying far less to their interns and residents, revealed an RTI reply by the Director of Medical Education, Jaipur, Rajasthan.

Filing the RTI, a copy of which is with the Medical Dialogues team, the National President of the United Doctors' Front Association (UDFA) had sought the details of the stipend paid to the MBBS interns and resident doctors in the private medical colleges in Rajasthan.

However, the data submitted in response to the RTI revealed that Rajsamand-based Ananta Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Center is paying only Rs 7,500 to its MBBS interns, while the postgraduate resident doctors i.e. the junior residents are getting a stipend ranging between Rs 25,000 to Rs 35,000 per month. 

As per the data, the first-year JRs at the institute are getting Rs 25,000, the 2nd year JRs are getting Rs 30,000 and the 3rd year JRs are getting Rs 35,000 per month. 

Also Read: MBBS Graduates from Private medical college move Bombay HC Seeking Stipend Parity During Internship, notice issued to NMC, state

Similarly, the RTI revealed that MBBS interns at the Udaipur-based American International Institute of Medical Sciences are getting only Rs 7,000 per month as a stipend and the PG residents are getting only Rs 20,000 as their monthly stipend.

The UG and PG medicos are getting such minimal stipends despite the State Government's order dating back to 2021 when the State had increased the stipend amount for the MBBS interns from 7,000 per month to Rs 14,000 per month. Similarly, in the same year, the stipend for the first year resident doctors was revised to Rs 55,200 per month, Rs 58,650 for the second year resident doctors, and Rs 60,950 for the third year residents pursuing MD/MS course.

In the case of the super speciality medical students, the stipend was revised to Rs 63,250 for the first year DM/MCH students, Rs 65,550 for the second-year students, and Rs 66,700 for the third-year students. The stipend for the senior residents was fixed at Rs 70,150 per month. 

Recently releasing the final Post-Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2023 (PGMER 2023), which were published in the official Gazette on 29.12.2023, the National Medical Commission (NMC) introduced uniformity in the amount of stipend paid to the PG medicos in a particular State/UT.

The Commission specified that the PG medicos who are pursuing degree, diploma or super-speciality courses should be paid a stipend at par with the stipend being paid to the PG students of Government institutes, in that particular State/UT.

However, the RTI reply has revealed that there is a stark contrast in terms of the stipend mandated by the government and the amount paid by the private medical institute.

Commenting on the matter, Dr. Lakshya Mittal, the President of UDFA told Medical Dialogues, "The recent RTI response from the Government of Rajasthan highlights a concerning issue regarding the stipend payments for interns and postgraduate (PG) residents in private medical colleges. According to the government’s sanctioned rates, interns should receive ₹14,000 per month and PG residents should receive between ₹55,200 and ₹70,350 per month, depending on their year of study and degree."

"However, it has come to our attention that the American International Institute of Medical Sciences in Udaipur is significantly underpaying its interns and PG residents, offering only ₹7,000 per month to interns and ₹20,000 per month to PG residents. This is a clear violation of the government’s stipulated norms. As private medical colleges must adhere to the government’s regulations to ensure fair compensation for their medical professionals. This discrepancy not only undermines the hard work and dedication of these individuals but also sets a concerning precedent for other institutions," he added.

Demanding action against such violations, he further said, "We urge the authorities to take strict action against such violations and ensure that all medical professionals receive their rightful dues as per government norms. This will help maintain the integrity and quality of medical education and services in Rajasthan."

Medical Dialogues had been reporting about the complaints from MBBS interns and resident doctors alleging that they were not receiving stipends or receiving a meagre amount despite working in the hospitals round the clock. These complaints mainly come from medical students belonging to the private medical colleges. This issue is now being considered by the Supreme Court.

Complying with the Supreme Court's directions in this regard, the National Medical Commission (NMC) asked the medical colleges to submit the details of the stipend paid to their UG Interns, Post-Graduate Residents, and Senior Residents or PGs in Super Specialty for the financial year 2023-24 by 23rd April 2024. NMC asked the medical colleges to submit the details of their name and address, the amount of stipend paid by the State Government, and the month-wise details of the stipend paid to the MBBS interns, 1st/2nd/3rd-year Post-Graduate Residents, and 1st/2nd/3rd-year Senior Residents or PGs in Super Specialty for the academic year 2023-2024.

Also Read: From Rs 15k to Rs 1.25 lakh per month: NMC data reveals glaring stipend disparity