MBBS, BDS interns in J-K go on indefinite strike over low stipend

MBBS and BDS interns across medical colleges in Jammu and Kashmir began an indefinite strike on Monday, August 31, demanding that their monthly stipend be increased from the existing Rs 12,300 to Rs 30,000.

The interns staged dharnas in Jammu, saying their stipend has remained unchanged for nearly seven years despite repeated representations and protests.

They said the stagnant stipend has failed to keep pace with inflation, rising living costs and the workload they handle in government medical colleges, while interns in several other states receive substantially higher amounts.

Dr Shahnawaz, one of the protesting interns, said MBBS and BDS interns across Jammu and Kashmir had joined the strike over the long-pending demand.

“Our stipend has remained at around Rs 12,300 for seven years. In several other states, interns are getting between Rs 25,000 and Rs 45,000. We are performing the same duties, including 24-hour and night shifts and rural postings, but are being paid only around Rs 400 a day,” he said.

He said the stipend in several states ranged from Rs 30,000 to Rs 45,000 or more, while interns in J-K continue to receive Rs 12,300.

“We are demanding that our stipend be increased to Rs 30,000,” he said.

The interns said they are among the first medical personnel to attend to patients arriving at emergency departments and also assist doctors in OPDs, wards, procedures and other hospital services.

“Despite performing regular duties and handling a substantial workload, we continue to receive only Rs 12,300 a month. This is unjust,” an intern said.

Dr Abhinav Bhat, another protester, said the interns had launched an indefinite strike and were holding a dharna until the government provides a written assurance on the stipend hike.

“We have launched an indefinite strike and are on dharna in support of our demand to enhance our stipend to Rs 30,000. A written assurance should come from the government,” Bhat told reporters here.

He said a committee constituted by the Health and Medical Education Department in 2023 had recommended increasing the stipend to around Rs 25,000 for 2025-26.

The matter was subsequently raised during the 2026 Assembly session, where the proposed stipend was mentioned as around Rs 26,300, but the file was still pending, he said.

Bhat alleged that interns had not received a clear response on the status of the proposal, with officials directing them to different departments.

“Sometimes we are told the file has been forwarded to the chief minister, while at other times we are told it is with the Finance Department. We are being made to run from one office to another,” he said.

“We are on an indefinite strike and will continue until our demand is fulfilled. We want a written order, not merely an assurance,” he added.

The interns also cited comparative figures showing that several states provide much higher stipends.

According to the figures displayed by the protesters, Odisha has the highest monthly stipend at Rs 44,319, followed by West Bengal at Rs 43,099 and Assam at Rs 35,000.

Karnataka provides Rs 30,000, while Kerala offers Rs 27,300 and Delhi and Meghalaya Rs 26,300 each.

Telangana's stipend is listed at Rs 25,900, while Arunachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh offer Rs 25,000 each. Tamil Nadu's stipend is shown at around Rs 25,000, followed by Haryana at Rs 24,310 and Andhra Pradesh at around Rs 21,840.

Gujarat, Bihar, Goa and Himachal Pradesh are listed at around Rs 20,000 a month, while Puducherry offers Rs 18,000.

At Rs 12,300, Jammu and Kashmir is placed at the bottom of the comparison chart displayed by the interns.

The protesters said they perform clinical duties in emergency departments, OPDs, wards and other areas, including night shifts and rural postings, despite receiving a stipend that has remained unchanged for years.

They also pointed to the proposed revision in J-K, which followed the recommendations of the committee constituted in 2023, saying it had yet to be implemented.

The interns said the disparity was difficult to justify as they perform broadly similar clinical duties as interns elsewhere in the country.

“Same work, same dedication and fair stipend” read the message on their protest banners.

The interns said the strike would continue indefinitely until their demand is accepted and a revised stipend is formally notified.