Stipend row: MNR PG medicos allege forced declarations after NMC notice
Hyderabad: After the National Medical Commission took cognisance of allegations that the management of MNR Medical College and Hospital in Sangareddy is partially taking back students' stipends using coercive means, PG medicos of the institute recently complained that they were made to sign written declarations.
Those declarations reportedly mentioned that the students have no grievances, that stipends are being paid as per government norms, and that no recovery is taking place.
In an anonymous complaint to the Healthcare Reforms Doctors Association (HRDA), Telangana, on April 24, 2026, accessed by Medical Dialogues, a group of postgraduate (MD/MS) students who receive stipends from the institution, alleged that they are being forced to return a significant portion of their stipend (approximately Rs 45,000 out of Rs 60,000) in cash to the college management. These demands, they said, are made informally, without any documentation, creating an environment of fear and lack of transparency.
The students further claimed that they are compelled to open bank accounts in a Bank, Sangareddy, chosen by the management, where stipends are credited into these accounts, after which students are instructed to withdraw and return a major portion in cash. In addition, some students alleged that blank signed cheques were collected in advance, which were used as a coercive tool.
Medical Dialogues recently reported that the Postgraduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB) of the National Medical Commission (NMC) sought a response from MNR Medical College and Hospital after noting that the college management is partially taking back the stipend credited to the students, using coercive means.
Apart from asking the institute to respond to these allegations, the Apex Medical Commission has also directed the medical college to submit proof of payment of stipend along with a bank statement within the deadline. The Commission has warned of taking penal action against the medical college in case of non-compliance.
After the Commission issued the notice on 17-04-2026, the students claimed that the college management has taken further action. They said in the complaint that, "Students were made to sign written declarations stating that they have no grievances against the management, that stipends are being paid strictly as per government norms, and that no one has asked them to return any portion of the stipend. These declarations were obtained under pressure and do not reflect the actual situation."
They also alleged that they were not allowed to carry mobile phones into administrative offices during these processes, making it difficult to record or report the situation. Students claimed they complied due to fear of academic consequences, such as internal assessments, issuance of completion certificates, and impact on their future careers. The situation, they said, is causing significant financial strain and mental distress among postgraduate trainees and raises serious ethical and legal concerns.
Raising these concerns, the Healthcare Reforms Doctors Association (HRDA), Telangana, wrote to the Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences (KNRUHS), highlighting the alleged coercive practices at the medical college.
In its letter, the association reiterated the allegations made by students and termed the practices as serious violations of National Medical Commission (NMC) norms and direct contravention of KNRUHS regulations, including concerned proceedings, which mandate transparency and strict compliance in financial dealings with students.
"The continuation of such actions despite prior warnings reflects a deliberate and systematic attempt to exploit students while evading accountability," said the association.
The association requested that the university treat the contents and source of the complaint with strict confidentiality to ensure the safety and protection of the affected students.
HRDA urged the university to conduct an immediate and independent inquiry into the matter, ensure protection for affected students, disregard any statements obtained under pressure, direct the institution to strictly comply with NMC and KNRUHS regulations and take stringent disciplinary action against the institution if the allegations are substantiated.
Commenting on this, HRDA President Dr Karthik Nagula told Medical Dialogues, "I wish to place on record that our association has received multiple representations alleging serious irregularities in the disbursement and handling of stipends to postgraduate medical students in a private medical institution in Telangana. It is further noted that there appears to be an atmosphere of intimidation, which may be preventing affected individuals from freely reporting grievances. Any attempt to obtain declarations or statements under duress, or to interfere with lawful stipend disbursement, would be legally untenable and subject to scrutiny."
He further said, "In view of the seriousness of these allegations, I formally call upon the competent authorities, including the Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences, to initiate an immediate, impartial, and time-bound inquiry. The investigation must ensure protection of students from any form of retaliation and examine all relevant aspects in accordance with due process of law. Appropriate regulatory and legal action may be taken against the concerned institution or individuals if any violations are established."
Now, as per recent report by The Hindu, after the NMC took cognizance of the matter, postgraduate medical students have alleged that they were forced to sign declarations stating that stipends are being paid as per norms, claiming they were called department-wise, had their mobile phones taken away, and were warned of serious action if they refused.
The declaration reportedly required students to affirm that they are receiving stipends regularly in accordance with applicable rules, that there are no delays or irregularities in disbursement, and that the undertaking is being submitted voluntarily and without any external influence.
