Telangana Junior Doctors to Launch Indefinite Strike from June 30 Over Stipend, Faculty, Infrastructure Woes

Hyderabad: The Junior Doctors in Telangana have decided to go on an indefinite strike from June 30 onwards over their pending demands for a stipend hike, timely release of stipends, publication of annual faculty recruitment calendar, timely grant of scholarships, and fee reimbursement.

Writing to the Director of Medical Education, Telangana, the Telangana Junior Doctors Association (T-JUDA) has submitted their demands, adding that "All Undergraduates, Postgraduates, House Surgeons, and Senior Residents will participate in this strike until our genuine demands are fully met."

One of the main demands of the resident doctors is the timely release of stipends and implementation of a green channel for this purpose. The association pointed out that stipends for Postgraduates, House Surgeons, and especially Senior Residents has been pending for 3 months and it continues to be delayed. TJUDA has demanded a Government Order and Finance Department Circular mandating the release of stipends by the 10th of every month through a "green channel" mechanism.

Further, the association has demanded an immediate implementation of a Stipend Hike. It highlighted that the revised stipends, issued under G.O. Ms.No.59, effective from January 2025, remain unimplemented. It has asked for the immediate implementation of the revised stipend structure and the disbursement of all arrears from January 2025 onwards.

Also Read: 7000 Telangana Junior doctors on strike demanding timely stipend disbursement

One of the issues that the association pointed out is the inadequate infrastructure in the Government Medical Colleges. It pointed out that many colleges still lack basic facilities such as water, proper transport, college buildings, and sports infrastructure. According to the association, the buildings are either incomplete or unopened at Nagarkurnool and Siddipet, while the medical college in Nizamabad has had no playground for 12 years.

"Student representatives must be mandatorily included in all infrastructure review committees to reflect ground realities. Issues like transport and water do not require a committee report and should be resolved immediately," the association mentioned in the letter.

Highlighting the acute shortage of clinical and para-clinical faculty in the medical colleges, T-JUDA argued that it is damaging academic quality and hands-on training. Accordingly, it has demanded the publication of a regular, annual recruitment calendar and immediate hiring to meet the National Medical Commission (NMC) norms.

Apart from these issues, the association also pointed out that scholarships for minority, SC, ST, and BC students are delayed, partially disbursed, or completely withheld. This has forced the students to pay out of their own pocket to retrieve their certificates due to pending fee reimbursements, informed the association, further adding that not a single student has received fill reimbursement of their academic fees to date.

T-JUDA mentioned that since November 2024, it has submitted multiple official representations outlining these core concerns. However, the association claimed that despite follow-ups and personal meetings, including two meetings with the Health Minister and DME in June 2025, these problems remain unresolved.

"The junior doctors of Telangana, who form the backbone of the state's government hospitals, continue to work under immense physical and mental strain, often for more than 36 hours at a stretch, without receiving what is rightfully due. Providing timely stipends, proper infrastructure, and a dignified working environment is not a privilege, but a responsibility of the government. While we have upheld our commitment to patient care, even in adversity, our patience has reached its limit," the association mentioned in the letter.

Announcing its decision to start an indefinite strike over these pending demands, the association added, "Given the absence of meaningful progress despite sustained efforts, the Telangana Junior Doctors Association hereby declares an indefinite statewide strike starting June 30, 2025."

"All Undergraduates, Postgraduates, House Surgeons, and Senior Residents will participate in this strike until our genuine demands are fully met," announced the association.

"Our demands are not only fair but are vital for improving the working conditions of junior doctors and ensuring better healthcare outcomes for the public. We urge the Government of Telangana and your office to act decisively and without further delay to address these issues," it further added.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that, raising the issue of delay in the disbursement of stipends for several months, the resident doctors in Telangana approached the State Health Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha earlier this year. Apart from the issue of delayed stipend, the junior doctors also highlighted other issues such as stipend hikes, scholarship reimbursements, tax exemption for stipends, regular pay for the contractual staff, etc.

Back in 2024, the Telangana Junior Doctors Association had announced an indefinite strike from June 24, 2024. Approximately 7,000 junior doctors from 20 medical colleges across the State were participating in the strike, advocating for their long standing demands including the establishment of a green channel for timely stipend disbursement and inadequate honorarium for Super Specialty Senior Residents etc.