Parity in stipend payment for interns: Health Ministry issues reminder to NMC

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has sent a reminder notice to the National Medical Commission (NMC) over incorporating changes in a provision in the regulations related to the payment of stipend to undergraduate (UG) medical interns. This is to ensure that those studying in government and private medical colleges get the same amount as stipend.

The mail sent on December 15 asks the NMC to examine the provision in the Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) Regulations, 2021, for UG students and the corresponding one in the Post Graduate Medical Education (PGME) Regulations, 2023.

Clause 6.3 of the CRMI Regulations says that “All interns shall be paid stipend as fixed by the appropriate authority applicable to the institution/ University or State.” However, clause 5.4 of the PGME Regulations says that “The post-graduate students undergoing post-graduate Degree/Diploma/Super-speciality courses in all the institutions shall be paid a stipend at par with the stipend being paid to the post-graduate students of State Government medical institutions/Central Government medical institutions, in the State/Union Territory where the institution is located”.

Public health activists and medical students have been pointing out that the clause in the CRMI regulations is vague. They also say that the provision in the PGME Regulations is clearer as it mandates equal payment of stipend to medical interns irrespective of where they are studying. While those in government medical colleges get a monthly stipend between ₹25,000 and ₹30,000, their counterparts in private medical colleges are reportedly being paid less. The demand is to change the clause in the CRME Regulations in line with the PGME Regulations.

Kannur-based ophthalmologist and RTI activist K.V. Babu had earlier sent letters to the Union Health Minister claiming that the NMC was dragging its feet over ensuring parity in stipend payment. He had also highlighted a Supreme Court order issued in connection with this in October. In a notification issued in July, the NMC had said that the non-compliance of the requirements shall attract “regulatory action”. However, no follow-up steps were taken, Dr. Babu said in the letter.

Subsequently, on November 6, the Health Ministry wrote to the NMC secretary to “examine the issue related to the provision of stipend paid to undergraduate interns in CRMI Regulations, 2021, keeping in view similar provisions under PGMER, 2023,” as the commission has been mandated to frame regulations under the NMC Act, 2019. Now, the Ministry has sent a reminder notice.