Andhra Pradesh junior doctors intensify strike over pending stipend revision
Vijayawada: Junior doctors in Andhra Pradesh have entered Phase II of their agitation, with non-emergency services completely withdrawn for the day. The doctors have also announced a voluntary relay hunger strike as part of their protest over the long-pending revision of stipends.
The Andhra Pradesh Junior Doctors Association (APJUDA) has urged Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan to address the long-pending revision of stipends, which is effective from January 1, 2026. The association said resident doctors have continued to work tirelessly while awaiting a resolution on the issue.
Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) has extended its solidarity and support to the Andhra Pradesh Junior Doctors’ Association (AP JUDA) as they begin Phase 1 of their strike on August 11, 2026, over their long-pending demand for a stipend revision.
The strike follows repeated representations and negotiations that failed to resolve the issue. According to FAIMA, the junior doctors have sought a 30% hike in stipend, while the proposal currently being offered is only 3%.
The first phase of the strike took place on 10th and 11th August 2026, during which interns, junior residents, super-specialty postgraduates, postgraduates posted in DRP and peripheral postings, and senior residents withdrew from non-emergency services from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM across Government Medical Colleges and Teaching Hospitals in Andhra Pradesh, while maintaining uninterrupted Emergency and all ICU services.
According to the association, the second phase will continue from 12th to 15th August 2026, and non-emergency services will be completely withdrawn for the entire day. No non-emergency work or services will be undertaken before 9:00 AM or after 4:00 PM. All emergency services will continue without interruption, ensuring that patient care is not affected.
The association further stated that surplus Interns, Postgraduates, and senior residents who are posted suddenly to emergency services will maintain emergency services on a rotational basis. Those who are involved in emergency duties will continue to extend necessary patient care while also standing in solidarity with the strike and our legitimate demands. Voluntary Relay Hunger Strike will be conducted from today.
APJUDA expects a written Government response in the form of either a signed Government Order implementing a written communication from the competent authority clearly specifying the approved timeline for issuance of the Government Order regarding stipend revision. “In the absence of a satisfactory written response by the above deadline, APJUDA shall be compelled to escalate the agitation. The nature, scope, and modalities of Phase III shall be deliberated by the Association and communicated separately through another official representation before 17th August 2026.
In a post on X, the Andhra Pradesh Junior Doctors Association said, ''We deferred action earlier respecting official requests, but lack of concrete progress forces us into a phased agitation from Aug 10. We seek your supportive intervention to help us serve without disruption.''
The association stated that talks between APJUDA & Government officials on 11th August failed, after which the agitation entered the second phase. The government offered a 3% hike against the demand for a 30% stipend enhancement, which is completely unacceptable. The Andhra Pradesh Government Doctors Association has also extended its support to the protesting doctors.
