Karnataka Medical officers promised Rs 75,000 stipend; reduced to Rs 60,000

Bengaluru: A set of notifications from the Karnataka Department of Health and Family Welfare has gained strong criticism and backlash from the medical community after the government allegedly reduced the promised stipend for MBBS doctors serving their one-year compulsory rural service two months after assigning them.

The controversy erupted online after the Commissionerate of Health and Family Welfare Services issued two notifications in August 2025, stating that doctors appointed under the National Health Mission (NHM) would receive a monthly remuneration of Rs 75,000, while those under the Health and Family Welfare Services (HFWS) would get Rs 62,666. Doctors working under the Medical Education Department were to be paid Rs 50,000 per month.

However, on October 28, 2025, the Health Department issued a revised order amending the stipend. As per the new directive, the monthly remuneration for MBBS doctors serving under both the HFWS and NHM has been fixed at Rs 60,000, a reduction of Rs 15,000 and Rs 2,000, respectively, from the earlier announced amounts.

The order stated, "Continuing the amendment order of reference 2, instructions have been given in reference 1 and 2 regarding the payment of monthly remuneration to MBBS candidates who will serve one year of compulsory government service for the year 2025-26, and in the file of reference 3, as approved by the Principal Secretary to the Government, Health and Family Welfare Services, Bangalore and until further government orders, the monthly remuneration for MBBS candidates assigned to places under HFWS and NHM to serve one year of compulsory service has been fixed at Rs. 60,000/-."

It further mentioned that doctors posted under the Department of Medical Education will receive remuneration as per the existing order, which is Rs 50,000.

The sudden revision has triggered anger among doctors across Karnataka. Many doctors from other states also took to social media to express their disappointment and show support for the doctors in Karnataka. They said the government’s decision is unfair and a betrayal of those who serve humanity.

Speaking to Medical Dialogues, Dr. Dhruv Chauhan, National Spokesperson of the Indian Medical Association Junior Doctors Network, said, "I have received a huge number of messages from Karnataka doctors serving in most of the rural districts. They joined the medical officer job via NHM and HCWS in the state at the sum of 75,000 and 62,000, which was a circular released by the government itself. But after some time, they felt betrayed, and the amount was reduced to 60,000 in another circular. This is an absolute mockery of a government order, which was passed and changed later."

Several doctors highlighted the issue on 'X'. A doctor said that despite completing 5.5 years of medical education and spending large amounts of money, doctors are now being paid less than engineers in the state.

"As far as I know, the basic salary of an entry-level engineer (fresh recruit) in Karnataka is ₹47,600. Besides, they are entitled to DA, HRA, and other allowances. Gross salary is roughly ₹80,000 to ₹90,000 depending on the place of posting. So why are doctors being given a ₹60,000 salary when the MBBS course is 5.5 years, unlike a 4-year engineering course? Doctors are supposed to serve the bond period of one year. However, the Karnataka government should not treat them as bonded labourers," said the doctor.

Another doctor said, "First, they promise a ₹75,000 stipend to frontline medicos. Now, just two months later, they quietly slash it to ₹60,000, no notice, no logic, no respect. Is this how a government values its Doctors? Those who serve tirelessly in overcrowded wards, survive sleepless nights, and hold the healthcare system together are now being cheated in broad daylight. Shame on this betrayal."

Also read- Karnataka Govt approves 55 per cent pay hike for NHM doctors, nurses