UP hikes MBBS, BDS intern stipend to Rs 25,000
Lucknow: In a major relief, MBBS and BDS interns undergoing training at government medical colleges in Uttar Pradesh will now receive more than double their existing stipend, with the state Cabinet approving a hike from around Rs 12,000 to Rs 25,000 per month.
Welcoming the move, members of the medical fraternity appreciated the government’s decision, saying the hike was much needed for interns in the state who have faced financial difficulties over the past few years.
The increase in internship stipend will benefit around 3,928 students from government medical colleges, institutions, and medical universities.
As per the National Medical Commission's (NMC) rules, it is mandatory for MBBS students to undergo one year of compulsory internship to get their medical degrees and start practice in India. During the period of internship, the Interns receive a stipend provided by the Government (in case of Government Medical Colleges) or the Institutes (private medical institutes).
The proposal to increase the stipend was approved at the Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday.
In 2021, the Yogi government had increased the stipend from Rs 7,500 to Rs 12,000. Now, the interns will receive a monthly stipend of Rs 25,000 during their internship.
The decision comes against the backdrop of protests held by MBBS interns from several government medical colleges, seeking an increase in their stipend. The protest unfolded at King George's Medical University (KGMU) on August 22, as per UNI report.
Interns from KGMU, Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences in Lucknow, BRD Medical College in Gorakhpur and Lala Lajpat Rai Medical College in Meerut, among other institutions, participated in the demonstration.
Medical Dialogues has been reporting on the issue since 2024, with interns in the state repeatedly alleging that the existing stipend was too low considering their workload and responsibilities.
Speaking to Medical Dialogues, Dr Shubhanshu, President of Resident Doctors' Association (RDA) Trust UP, said, "We were in touch with the interns across the state, guided them, and we also had requested honourable CM Yogi ji through our official letterhead. We are really thankful to our honourable CM Yogi Ji and Cabinet of UP for the milestone decision of raising the stipend across the state. This will boost the morale of interns who are serving the patients."
The Doctors Welfare Federation Uttar Pradesh, in a post on X, welcomed the decision of the government to increase the stipend. The organisation described the hike as a “much-needed move” for medical interns in the state.
In another post on X, the Indian Medical Association Junior Doctors' Network (IMA-JDN) wrote, "Thank you Yogi ji for increasing the stipend of medical interns in Uttar Pradesh from ₹12,800 to ₹25,000. A much-needed and welcome step. We request other State Governments to follow UP’s example and increase internship stipends, which remain very low in many states."
Also read- RML Lucknow MBBS interns protest demanding stipend hike to Rs 30k
