Maharashtra MBBS interns demand Rs 30k stipend, warn of statewide strike from November 2

Mumbai: Demanding an increase in the monthly stipend from Rs 18,000 to Rs 30,000, the MBBS interns in Maharashtra staged a protest at JJ Hospital today.

The medicos associated with the Association of State Medical Interns (ASMI) have warned of launching a statewide strike if the Government fails to provide a satisfactory response to their demands by November 1, 2026.

Commenting on the issue, ASMI General Secretary, Dr. Raman Pawar, told IANS, "This issue has been ongoing since 2024. In 2024, a demand for Rs 30,000 was made, but the government took no action. Now, after three years, we are protesting again. In August, we submitted letters to our Dean, Director, DMER Commissioner, Education Minister, Principal Secretary, Deputy CM, CM, and their Principal Secretary. We submitted request letters periodically in August and September. In September, we gave a 15 to 20-day buffer period for a response, but received none. After 20 days, on October 5th, we submitted a reconsideration letter, I have all the printouts and receiving copies with me."

ASMI had announced its decision to hold a silent protest on October 22 to raise their demands for an increase in their monthly stipend. The association alleged that despite repeatedly submitting representations to the concerned authorities, the demand for a stipend hike remains pending.

The association has demanded an increase in the monthly stipend from Rs 18,000 to Rs 30,000, a 3% annual increment, and fair compensation by taking into account the rising costs of food, accommodation, travel, and other essential expenses.

Further, the association has also urged the authorities to take into consideration the extensive clinical responsibilities and duties performed by intern doctors, and they have demanded a written assurance regarding the stipend hike.

ASMI pointed out that intern doctors in several other states receive comparatively higher stipends, whereas the current stipend in Maharashtra stands at only Rs 18,000 per month. They highlighted that interns in Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Uttarakhand receive Rs 25,000 per month as stipend, and the amount of stipend for MBBS interns is Rs 30,000 in Jammu and Kashmir.

The doctors have also appealed to the State Minister of Medical Education and Drugs Department, Mr. Hasan Mushrif to intervene at the earliest and resolve the issue.

They have further warned of launching a statewide strike from November 2, 2026, if the government fails to provide a satisfactory response by November 1, 2026. However, the association has clarified that the emergency services will remain operative.

MBBS interns in Maharashtra, who have completed their MBBS degree and are currently undergoing Compulsory Rotatory Medical Internship (CRMI) in government and affiliated medical colleges across Maharashtra, have been raising concerns over the current stipend for the past two months, citing the rising cost of living, accommodation, transportation, food and other daily expenses.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that, in submitting a representation to the Government authorities in this regard, ASMI had said that the interns regularly provide medical services in hospitals during this period. They are involved in patient examination, emergency services, ward duties, night duties, and practical work in various medical departments.

Hence, the association said that despite the workload, the current stipend is considerably lower than the income of many other graduate-level jobs, given the expenses for accommodation, transportation, food, and other daily needs. Considering the financial constraints faced by the interns, the association has requested the State Government to increase the monthly stipend to Rs 30,000.

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