MBBS interns at UP private medical colleges allegedly denied Rs 25k stipend, Doctors' body serves legal notice to state
New Delhi: Highlighting the alleged denial of a Rs 25,000 monthly stipend to MBBS and BDS interns studying in private medical colleges in Uttar Pradesh, a doctors' body has demanded immediate clarification from the State Government on the August 27, 2026 Cabinet decision which hiked the internship stipend.
Seeking action within 15 days, the doctors under the United Doctors' Front (UDF) have also asked the UP DGME and State Government to ensure statewide implementation of the stipend hike without any discrimination or selective application.
Representing UDF and Dr Lakshya Mittal, Adv. Satyam Singh Rajput served a legal notice upon the Government of Uttar Pradesh and the Directorate General of Medical Education (DGME), Uttar Pradesh in this regard.
They have sought a direction to the private medical colleges to comply with the applicable stipend norms, and also urged the State Government to investigate the allegations of unauthorised deductions and collection of examination-related amounts, wherever complaints have been received.
Further, they have demanded that the Government ensure that the protesting students are not subjected to intimidation, coercion, retaliation or victimisation for raising legitimate grievances, and urged the authorities to establish an effective grievance-redressal mechanism for medical interns across Uttar Pradesh.
The association has warned that if the authorities fail to take appropriate measures and issue necessary directions within the 15-day deadline, it will pursue appropriate legal remedies, including filing a writ petition before the Allahabad High Court.
This comes after the association received and took note of representations regarding the alleged non-payment or underpayment of the enhanced stipend by certain private medical colleges.
Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that in a relief to the MBBS and BDS interns undergoing training at government medical colleges in Uttar Pradesh, the State Cabinet approved a stipend hike from around Rs 12,000 to Rs 25,000 per month.
According to the notice, UDF received representations that some private institutions are allegedly taking the position that the enhanced Rs 25,000 stipend is applicable only to government medical colleges. The association has also received allegations that certain institutions are deducting approximately Rs 2,000 from the earlier Rs 12,000 stipend being paid to the interns.
Terming such practices a "serious issue concerning the rights, dignity, and fair treatment of medical interns," the association called upon the competent authorities to ensure that the benefit of the enhanced stipend is not restricted selectively to interns of government institutions when interns in private medical colleges are performing comparable clinical, emergency and academic duties, a release by the association mentioned.
"The issue has assumed greater urgency following reports of student agitation at private medical colleges in Uttar Pradesh. Interns at Saraswati Medical College, Hapur, reportedly commenced an indefinite hunger strike on 10 September 2026 in connection with the stipend issue," a release by the association mentioned.
Further, UDF has also received representations from Rama Medical College, Hapur, alleging that protesting students were subjected to pressure and that notices were issued to their parents. There were further allegations regarding the collection of Rs 75,000 to Rs 80,000 in cash as examination-related fees. The association expressed that the matter requires immediate scrutiny by the competent regulatory authorities.
"UDF clarifies that these allegations require verification and due process, and calls upon the concerned authorities to conduct an impartial inquiry and take appropriate action if any violation is established," the release by the association added.
"Medical interns in private institutions perform the same demanding clinical, emergency and patient-care responsibilities as their counterparts in government institutions. They work long hours, shoulder significant responsibilities and contribute directly to healthcare delivery. There cannot be one standard of dignity and compensation for government interns and another for private interns. If the State Government has enhanced the internship stipend to ₹25,000, its implementation must be transparent, uniform and effective across the State," Dr. Lakshya Mittal, the Chairperson of UDF, said.
The association stressed that regulatory norms governing medical education and internship must be implemented in letter and spirit, and that students should not face intimidation, coercion or adverse action merely for raising legitimate grievances.
