JnK MBBS, BDS interns await stipend hike order, warn of hunger strike from October 10

Srinagar: With only one day left for the Jammu and Kashmir Government to meet the 30-day deadline for revising the stipend of medical interns, MBBS and BDS interns in the Union Territory are awaiting the promised order and have stated that they will begin another indefinite hunger strike from October 10, 2026, if their demand is not fulfilled within the assured timeline.

On September 8, 2026, the J&K Government decided that it would finalise the enhancement of medical interns' stipends within 30 days, based on the recommendations of the Stipend Enhancement Committee. Therefore, the interns have now urged the authorities to honour the written assurance and issue the necessary order within the committed timeline.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that MBBS and BDS interns in Jammu and Kashmir called off their hunger strike for one month following an assurance from Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo to look into their demand for a stipend hike.

Also read- JnK Health Dept to review MBBS interns' stipend hike to Rs 30,000

The interns from 10 government medical colleges and two dental colleges in Jammu and Kashmir began a 48-hour hunger strike on September 7 after talks with the state government failed to resolve their demand. However, the interns later agreed to call off the strike after the Health Minister, during a meeting with the delegation of medical interns, assured them that the issue of stipend enhancement would be finalised within the given timeframe.

The interns launched the strike over the government's long delay in revising their stipend. They said the existing stipend of around Rs 400 per day is lower than the daily wage of an unskilled worker and is not enough to cover their commuting expenses to the hospitals where they work.

Recently, in a letter to the J&K Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo on October 5, 2026, the All India Medical Students’ Association (AIMSA) sought urgent intervention on the pending stipend revision for medical interns as well as postgraduate residents.

"MD/MS and DNB residents are working under demanding conditions with significant clinical responsibilities and round-the-clock patient care. Yet stipend disparities between institutions and inadequate remuneration compared with other States remain a serious concern. We also wish to highlight the ongoing demand of MBBS/BDS interns for stipend enhancement. The interns were informed that the matter would be resolved within approximately one month. They have now stated that if their demand is not fulfilled within the assured timeline, they will begin an indefinite hunger strike from 10 October 2026," the letter mentioned.

Hence, the association requested the Government to revise the stipends of MD/MS and DNB residents in line with prevailing rates in other States and Union Territories, ensure uniform stipend rates across government medical colleges and government healthcare institutions in J&K, extend appropriate revision and parity to Senior Residents, and issue a written Government Order with a clear implementation timeline and expedite the pending process.

Commenting on this, Dr Mohammad Akib Javid, J&k Interns representative, AIMSA Joint Secretary, in a post on X said, "We remain hopeful that by 9 October the Government of J&K will honour its written assurance and fulfil its commitment to the long-pending stipend hike for MBBS & BDS medical interns. For months, interns have been raising this legitimate demand through peaceful and democratic means. We sincerely hope that the Government will take the necessary steps within the committed timeline and that the long-awaited stipend enhancement will finally be implemented. However, if due to any unforeseen circumstances the Government fails to honour its written assurance by 9 October, then all J&K medical interns will resume their indefinite hunger strike from 10 October. We do not want confrontation. We want a written order, implementation, and justice for medical interns who are working day and night in our hospitals and serving patients. 9 October is the deadline. 10 October will be the next step if the assurance is not fulfilled. We remain hopeful that the Government will keep its word and that there will be no need to resume the strike."

Also read- Rs 30k stipend demand: JnK MBBS interns put strike on hold after health minister's assurance