Telangana FMG interns protest demanding stipend parity with IMGs, pending arrears

Hyderabad: A group of around 100 Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) interns staged a dharma at Indira Gandhi Dharna Chowk in Hyderabad demanding an equal stipend in parity with Indian medical graduates during their compulsory internship period.

These interns who attended the protest on October 15 from various parts of Telangana have stated that even though the MBBS interns in Telangana normally get Rs 29,792 per month, the FMG interns are reportedly denied equal payment despite performing equal duties. 

On the day of the protest, the interns were backed with support from several medical associations including Federation of All India Medical Association Association (FAIMA), Healthcare Reforms Doctors Association (HRDA), Indian Medical Association - Junior Doctors Network (IMA JDN).

Protest:

The FMG interns have been protesting and boycotting routine duties since October 8. They have demanded that the state government issue an order or circular fixing their monthly stipend at Rs 29,792, on par with their colleagues. 

They also sought the release of eligible arrears from January 2026 and claimed that they had received Rs 5,000 a month in arrears at some government medical colleges, however, several others have not been paid for months despite reporting for internship duties. 

Along with this, the protesters urged the authorities to ensure that interns participating in peaceful demonstrations were not subjected to punitive measures, including unfair extensions of their internship, reports Deccan Chronicle. 

Meanwhile, the interns have made it clear that their protest would continue until the government issued a written order or circular addressing their demands.

Support from doctors

In solidarity with the protesting interns, FAIMA representatives reached the protest site yesterday and urged the government to address the demands of the interns. 

In a post on X, FAIMA wrote, "DrNavadeepAshwini,@AshwiniNavadeep FAIMA National Executive Member, joined the ongoing FMG interns’ protest at Indira Gandhi Dharna Chowk, Hyderabad, demanding stipend parity with Indian Medical Graduates (IMGs). SAME DUTIES, SAME RESPONSIBILITIES, SAME STIPEND! FAIMA urges the Hon’ble Chief Minister ,@TelanganaCMO and Health Minister of Telangana @TelanganaHealth to intervene immediately, address the interns’ genuine grievances and ensure equal pay for equal work. FMGs deserve equality, not discrimination!"

Similarly, Healthcare Reforms Doctors Association (HRDA), Telangana, also attended the protest to express their solidarity and unwavering support for FMG interns of Telangana 

"HRDA, Telangana, has been consistently representing, supporting, and advocating for the rights and welfare of FMGs for several years. We remain committed to standing alongside our FMG doctors in their fight for equal treatment, fair remuneration, release of pending stipend dues, and protection from unfair internship extensions and retaliatory actions. We urge the concerned authorities to address their genuine grievances and ensure a fair and time-bound resolution. HRDA,Telangana stands with FMGs—not just today, but in their continued struggle for justice and dignity," the association said in a post on X.

Joining the interns, IMA Junior Doctors Network (IMA JDN) extended its support to the interns pursuing their demand for equal stipends for FMG interns working in Government General Hospitals (GGHs) across all districts of Telangana.

"We urge the concerned authorities to address their concerns and ensure fair and equal stipend policies for all interns, irrespective of their medical graduation background. Dr. Syed Naif (National Membership Director) and JDN Telangana leaders joined the protest. Equal Work. Equal Stipend. Equal Dignity. IMA JDN stands with the FMG doctors in their pursuit of fairness, equality, and justice," the association wrote in a post on Instagram.

Medical Dialogues had reported that parity with the Indian Medical Students regarding stipend payment during internship has been a long-standing demand of the medical graduates from abroad. While considering the issue of non-payment of stipend to MBBS interns, the Supreme Court sought the National Medical Commission's response to the delay in paying stipends to the foreign medical graduates from Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Gujarat, and Jharkhand.

Observing that there cannot be any disparity between Indian and Foreign Medical Graduates, the Apex Court bench further said that it would pass comprehensive directions to ensure that all undergraduate medical students doing internships, whether they have pursued their education in India or abroad, are paid a stipend.

Further, the bench also expressed that it would also examine whether the State governments are required to appoint retired judges to deal with the issue of non-payment of stipends to interns.

Also read- Telangana FMG interns protest demanding stipend parity