Gujarat announces Rs 21,840 monthly stipend for FMG interns

Gandhinagar: The Gujarat Health Minister has announced that the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) interns in Gujarat, who have completed their studies abroad, will receive a monthly stipend of Rs 21,840, on par with regular interns in the state.

Health Minister Praful Pansheriya announced this on Monday after a meeting was held in this regard at the state administrative building in Gandhinagar. During the meeting, detailed discussions were conducted with the concerned officials.

The Government's decision to provide a stipend to FMG interns in the State is expected to benefit approximately 350 students who have received their internship between June 1, 2026, and October 1, 2026.

"Doctors who have completed MBBS abroad and are doing internships at government and GMERS medical colleges in Gujarat will now receive a stipend of ₹21,840 per month, similar to other interns. A detailed discussion was held with the relevant officials in a meeting held at Swarnim Sankul-2, Gandhinagar," Pansheriya wrote in an X post.

"This decision of the state government will directly benefit approximately 350 students who have received internship postings from 01/06/2026 and 01/10/2026. Honorable Chief Minister Shri @bhupendrapbjp Under the guidance of G, we are continuously working to empower young doctors," he further added.

According to a PTI report, Pansheriya was quoted as saying in a release that as per National Medical Commission (NMC) rules, every medical student who has completed an MBBS course abroad is required to undergo a mandatory one-year internship in India,

Such MBBS doctors undergoing internship at government and GMERS medical colleges in the state will be paid the stipend, he added.

Terming it a "historic and long-awaited milestone for Foreign Medical Graduates in Gujarat", they mentioned in a joint statement, "The Government of Gujarat has taken an important decision regarding stipend for all eligible FMG interns undertaking their compulsory internship in Government Medical Colleges and GMERS Medical Colleges across Gujarat, including interns whose internships commenced from 15 December 2025, 1 June 2026 and 1 October 2026."

"This is not merely a decision; it is the result of collective representation, continuous follow-up, unity and perseverance of FMG students over the years. We sincerely express our gratitude to Hon’ble Health Minister Shri Prafulbhai Pansheriya Saheb and Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel Saheb for recognising the genuine concerns of FMG interns and supporting this historic step," the statement further added.

Plea before Supreme Court:

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that last year, All India Parents Association Belarus Medical Students had filed a plea raising the issue of non-payment of stipend to foreign medical graduates in the State of Gujarat. The plea had mentioned that despite many circulars issued by the National Medical Commission (NMC), the FMGs were not receiving a stipend. It had also pointed out that the provision of a stipend is governed under Clause 3 (Schedule IV) of the National Medical Commission (Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship) Regulations, 2021, which states the following:

"3. Stipend a) All interns shall be paid stipend as fixed by the appropriate authority applicable to the institution/ University or State. (b) Stipend may not be paid during any period of extension except in the case of maternity or paternity leave or medical leave, as may be recommended and approved by the Medical Board. Total stipend paid for the entire internship may be for fifty-two weeks (Twelve months) only."