Private medical colleges save crores on stipends as NMC dithers

Private medical colleges save crores on stipends as NMC dithers

Private medical colleges are saving significant amounts by underpaying or not paying stipends to MBBS interns and resident doctors, despite regulations. The National Medical Commission (NMC) has been ineffective in enforcing standards, leading to disparities and financial exploitation in private institutions.

Rema NagarajanTNN

Mar 2, 2025, 18:17 IST

Private medical colleges are saving crores of rupees by either not paying stipends to MBBS interns and resident doctors or paying them a fraction of what government medical colleges pay. According to the National Medical Commission (NMC), the data on stipend payment submitted by colleges showed that 60 (33 govt colleges and 27 private ones) were not paying MBBS interns any stipend.

Most private colleges have not even submitted the information on how much stipend is being paid. After initially threatening to take action, in the face of colleges not even submitting data sought from them, the apex regulator, the NMC, has passed the buck to state authorities.

Thousands of MBBS students doing clinical duties during the final year internship are being paid less than the national floor minimum wage of Rs 5,300 per month according to the data submitted to Supreme Court by NMC. Data from 20 private colleges shows that they pay Rs 5,000 or less. Many colleges have admitted that they do not pay any stipend. Though this information was available to NMC in July last year, no action has been taken against any college.

The NMC’s PG Medical Education Regulation 2023 stipulate that private colleges have to pay a stipend equivalent to what government colleges of the state pay resident doctors. However, the NMC (Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship) Regulations, 2021 are vague about how much MBBS interns should be paid. They state that "all interns shall be paid stipend as fixed by the appropriate authority applicable to the institution/University or State". Taking advantage of this, many private colleges pay MBBS interns a pittance.

“I had alerted the health ministry to the vague wording in the clause regarding stipend for MBBS interns in 2022, when the draft was put up for comments from the public, and later raised objections when the suggestion was not incorporated. I had requested them to amend the clause to make it mandatory for all colleges to pay stipend at par with government medical colleges of the particular state. Neither the health ministry nor the NMC has done anything about it,” said Dr KV Babu, an RTI activist who has been pursuing the issue over five years.

The stipend paid by some private colleges is as low as Rs 2,000 per month though they take several lakhs as fees per year. For instance, in Andhra Pradesh, government colleges pay MBBS interns Rs 22,500 per month. However, many private colleges are paying just Rs 2,000-5,000 as stipend per month. The tuition fee alone for the MBBS course in these private colleges is Rs 65 lakh for management quota students and over Rs 1.2 crore for NRI quota students. Most of these colleges with about 150 seats each would have had to spend roughly Rs 4 crore per year if they paid stipend equal to what government colleges are paying. By paying the interns a pittance, a college could save over Rs 2 crore or more each year, even as they collect around Rs 50 crore just from tuition fees.

Similarly, in Karnataka, MBBS interns in state government colleges are paid a stipend of Rs 30,000 per month. But many private colleges are paying just Rs 10,000-12,000, while their annual tuition fees for management and NRI seats could be as much as Rs 25 lakh to Rs 45 lakh per year. In Pondicherry, while government colleges pay Rs 20,000 as stipend, a deemed university medical college with 250 seats, where annual tuition fees are Rs 25 lakh, pays just Rs 5,000. The college earns over 1.2 crore from each MBBS student, but spends less than one lakh rupees on stipend for each student.

There is wide variation even in the stipend paid in government colleges from about Rs 35,000 in Assam to just Rs 12,000 in Uttar Pradesh. This is despite a long-standing demand of MBBS students for the amount to be centrally fixed and made mandatory for all colleges whether government or private. NMC was not even acting on the issue of non-payment of stipend till the Supreme Court categorically stated that paying stipend was mandatory. The case drags on as NMC claims to be struggling to get data from medical colleges. Instead of asking colleges, which are under its direct control, the NMC has been writing innumerable letters to the directorate of medical education of various states asking them to submit the data from all colleges on payment of stipend.

Stipend paid to MBBS interns (in Rs)

State

Govt

Pvt

Assam

35,000

NA

West Bengal

29,700-32,000

12,500-28,000

Karnataka

30,000

10,000-25,000

Odisha

28,000

15,000

Tamil Nadu

25,000-27,300

2,750-13,500

Delhi

26,300

no info

Meghalaya

26,300

NA

Kerala

26,000

10,000-16,000

Telangana

25,900

2,000-10,000

Arunachal

25,000

NA

Andhra Pradesh

22,500

2,000-10,000

Tripura

20,500

no info

Bihar

20,000

10,000

Goa

20,000

NA

Himachal Pradesh

20,000

no info

Pondicherry

20,000

2,500-5,000

Gujarat

18,200

12,000

Maharashtra

18,000

4,000-12,000

Uttarakhand

17,000

5,000

Punjab

15,000

15,000

J&K

12,300

no info

Haryana*

12,000

no info

Mizoram

12,000

NA

Uttar Pradesh

12,000

4,000-7,500

Sikkim

NA

14,500

NA- not applicable since the state may not have a private college, or a govt college in the case of Sikkim

No info- the information has not been submitted by the state/college

*only one college has given data and the amount is wrong since Haryana revised the stipend to Rs 17,000 in 2018 and last year it was revised again to Rs 24,310.

States which had not submitted any information included Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Manipur, Nagaland, and the union territories of Chandigarh and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The stipend in govt colleges in Rajasthan is Rs 14,000, in Jharkhand it is Rs 17,000, Rs 15,900 in Chhattisgarh and almost Rs 14,000 in Madhya Pradesh.

Source: Affidavit filed by the NMC in court in July 2024

Post-RGK, Didi hikes docs’ stipends by up to ₹25,000

Post-RGK, Didi hikes docs’ stipends by up to ₹25,000

Sumati.Yengkhom@timesofindia.com 25.02.2025

Kolkata : Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Monday announced a slew of benefits for doctors, while outlining her administration’s expectations from them, at her first conclave with health professionals since Aug 2024 rapemurder of a junior doctor at RG Kar Hospital. Banerjee, who addressed 4,000 healthcare workers, announced significant hikes in stipends — ranging between Rs 10,000 and Rs 25,000 — for junior and senior resident doctors working at state-run hospitals. She also increased the private-practice distance cap for state ser vice doctors. They can now conduct private practice up to 30km from their workplace — up from existing cap of 20km.

In another decision, the govt scrapped the suspension of seven Midnapore Medical College & Hospital junior doctors (which followed the death of a mother after a C-sec delivery). The CM also outlined her expectations from the community: doctors should spend at least eight hours at workplace and seniors should not leave patient care, including C-section deliveries, to juniors. Doctors should not have any “political colour”; and they should rise above politics and have “only one colour (humanity)”, she said.

NMC to impose penalties, reduce seats of med colleges that refuse to pay stipends

NMC to impose penalties, reduce seats of med colleges that refuse to pay stipends

There are plans to begin inspecting colleges regarding stipend non-payment and other related issues

 Ayushi.Gupta1@timesofindia.com 09.12.2024

The National Medical Commission (NMC) issued show-cause notices to 198 medical colleges— 115 government and 83 private—over the non-submission of stipend details for Undergraduate (UG) interns, Postgraduate (PG) residents, and senior residents in super specialities for the financial year 2023-24. Several medical interns and resident doctors have complained about not receiving any stipend money or half the amount promised. NMC is reviewing the details submitted by medical colleges and plans to impose penalties once confirmed that the stipends are being withheld

College inspections 

Following a Supreme Court order, the NMC directed all medical colleges and health institutions to submit details of stipends paid to medical interns and postgraduate resident doctors in 2023- 24. Dr B Srinivas, secretary, NMC, says, “The NMC aims to analyse stipend data submitted by colleges across the country. The purpose of collecting this data is to track the functioning of these institutions. The NMC plans to begin inspecting colleges regarding stipend non-payment and other related issues. If sufficient evidence of non-payment is found, the NMC will impose financial penalties on the offending colleges. For habitual offenders, further actions may include reducing the total number of seats allocated to the institution. A robust feedback mechanism is essential to make these inspections more effective.” 

Several residents and interns, speaking on the condition of anonymity, have shared their grievances with Education Times. A resident doctor completing his PG at Pacific Medical College and Hospital in Udaipur, Rajasthan, said, “The quoted stipend for all resident doctors is Rs 75,000, but none of the 390 residents have received the entire amount. We requested the administration to disburse the stipends to pay our hostel fees and other expenses, but no action has been taken. Additionally, all residents were asked to pay the full fee during the first year and sign an affidavit stating that our stipends had already been adjusted against the fees. We have been warned not to reveal this information, or we could be failed in our exams.” 

A female MBBS graduate from NRI Institute of Medical Sciences in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, added, “I graduated in 2024, and despite completing my internship, most of our batchmates including me have not received our stipends for the internship period. The college management has failed to disburse the stipend citing financial constraints. We request NMC to take immediate action.” Another MBBS intern at Dr Vasantrao Pawar Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre in Nashik, Maharashtra, said, “I have not received my stipend since September. Until then, I received only Rs 8,000 as against Rs 18,000. I am shocked to find that my college’s name was not included in the NMC’s list of 198 colleges receiving show-cause notices.” 

A PG resident doctor at Shridevi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Hospital in Tumkur, Karnataka, said, “I paid around Rs 2 lakh for hostel fees, which was made compulsory for all PG residents. I had to take a loan to pay both the hostel and college fees, which I planned to repay using my stipend but the college has not paid us any money. If I speak out, I fear my career will be sabotaged.” 

NMC has received multiple anonymous complaints regarding non-payment of stipends. Dr Srinivas says, “ The scope of investigations is often discreet and focused on gathering evidence without directly confronting individuals. Understandably, revealing names could jeopardise the careers of complainants. However, if multiple complaints are received from a particular college, the NMC will red-flag the institution and initiate a thorough investigation. However, support from students and faculty members is crucial for successful investigations.” 

Survey findings  In 2023, NMC conducted an online survey which revealed that 27% of PG students at private or self-financed medical colleges are not paid any stipend. Additionally, 54% of PG students receive less than the stipend amount paid to their counterparts in government-run medical colleges. The  survey found that among 7,901 PG students from 213 self-financed/private medical colleges across 19 states, about 16% reported being forced to return their stipend money to college management. Dr Srinivas says, “As the NMC transitions to more digital processes, it aims to simplify monitoring and enforcement mechanisms. An online system will make it easier to identify and address malpractices, ensuring greater accountability among medical colleges.”

198 colleges mum on stipends get NMC show-cause

198 colleges mum on stipends get NMC show-cause

DurgeshNandan.Jha@timesofindia.com  03.12.2024

New Delhi : National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued show-cause notices to 198 medical colleges — 115 govt and 83 private — across the country over non-submission of details of stipend paid to undergraduate interns, postgraduate residents and senior residents. All medical colleges were directed to submit to NMC the stipend paid for the financial year 2023-24 following a Supreme Court directive.

However, officials said, the 198 colleges that have been issued showcause notices failed to comply leading to the action. An online survey conducted by NMC last year revealed 27% of PG students are not paid any stipend by private/self-financed medical colleges. There are 54% PG students who receive less than the amount paid to their counterparts in govt-run medical colleges. More importantly, the survey conducted among 7,901 PG students from 213 self-financed/private medical colleges spread across 19 states revealed 16% PG students had to return the stipend money to college management. After this, NMC, the apex body for regulating medical education and pro fession, directed all self-financed and private medical colleges to pay stipend equal to the amount being paid to PG students of state or centre-run medical institutions in the state/UT where they are located, as per Regulation 13 of Post-Graduate Medical Education Regulation (PGMER), 2000.

“All the self-financed/ private medical colleges are warned that NMC will take strict action for noncompliance of the provisions of the Regulations of PGMER, 2000 if any complaint is received in future,” NMC said. All medical graduates pursuing PG courses are entitled to a stipend. AIIMS Delhi, for example, pays PG students close to Rs 95,000 per month as stipend. MBBS interns are paid close to Rs 26,000 per month.

NMC notices to 25 T medical colleges over stipend issues ‘Pvt Colleges Hardly Pay Stipend’

NMC notices to 25 T medical colleges over stipend issues ‘Pvt Colleges Hardly Pay Stipend’ 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  01.12.2024 

Hyderabad : National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued show cause notices to 12 govt and 13 private medical colleges in the state for not furnishing details of stipends paid during the current year to undergraduate and post-graduate super speciality students. Show cause notices were issued to medical colleges across the country that did not furnish the details. NMC also directed colleges to pay stipends by the 5th of every month. 

Government Medical College Karimnagar, Government Medical College, Nirmal, and Government Medical College, Khammam, were among govt colleges that received the notice. Though govt medical colleges in Telangana give stipends to medical students, they were often held up for months. On the contrary, many private medical colleges do not provide stipends, often keeping it as an ‘on-paper’ practice only, claim medical students. 

“We are made to sign on blank papers that we received the stipend, but we do not get any,” a super speciality student from a private medical college in the city said. “Although private colleges have to pay stipends, many who transfer the money deduct it the very next day. It is done only to show in records,” Dr G Srinivas, a healthcare expert, said. Meanwhile, the private colleges which did not fur nish details include Kamineni Institute of Medical Sciences, Narketpally, Neelima Institute of Medical Sciences, Medchal, CMR Institute of Medical Sciences, Father Colombo Institute of Medical Sciences, Arundathi Institute of Medical Sciences, Prathima Relief Institute of Medical Sciences, TRR Institute of Medical Sciences, Patancheru, Mahavir Institute of Medical Sciences, Vikarabad, Maheshwara Medical College, Patancheru, RVM Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Siddipet,

Mallareddy Medical College for Women, Hyderabad, Apollo Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Hyderabad, and Malla Reddy Institute of Medical Sciences.

10 medical colleges get NMC notice over stipend details

10 medical colleges get NMC notice over stipend details 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 1.12.2024

Ahmedabad : The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued show-cause notices to 198 medical colleges nationwide for failing to submit mandatory stipend payment details for their resident doctors and interns. The notices, dated Nov 28, target 115 government and 83 private institutions. The colleges failed to provide information about stipends paid to undergraduate interns, postgraduate residents, and super-specialty resident doctors for 2023-24, as well as monthly records for 2024-25. This requirement stems from a 2022 Supreme Court directive mandating transparent disclosure of stipend payment. 

Gujarat accounts for 10 of these colleges, including three govt medical colleges and two Gujarat Medical Education and Research Society (GMERS) establishments. The govt institutions include Porbandar Medical College and Godhra Medical College and the GMERS ones include Himmatnagar Medical College and Dharpur Medical College in Patan, which is un der NMC scrutiny following a student’s death in a ragging incident. Five private medical colleges also received notices. These institutions are required to upload stipend details on their websites and update the information monthly by the 5th. The colleges have been asked to submit their stipend payment records for 2023-24 to the NMC in three days

Govt increases stipends of interns, resident doctors

Govt increases stipends of interns, resident doctors

 TIMES NEWS NETWORK  1.9.2024 

Ahmedabad : In a significant move, the state govt on Saturday announced its decision to hike the stipends for interns and resident doctors following the recent salary hike for contract-based specialist doctors at various healthcare facilities. The decision will benefit those pursuing undergraduate, postgraduate, and superspecialty programmes at the state’s six govt and 13 GMERS-managed medical colleges. 

The stipend hike comes after a gap of about three years and will come into effect from April 1, 2024. Students have been demanding a stipend hike and had made several representations to the state health department. The stipend rates have been increased for interns and residents in medical, dental, physiotherapy, homeopathy, and Ayurveda programmes. 

According to the new rates, medical interns in govt medical colleges will receive Rs 21,840 per month, dental interns Rs 20,160, physiotherapy interns Rs 13,440, and ayurveda and homeopathy interns Rs 15,120 as stipends. Medical residents with degrees will receive stipends ranging from Rs 1,00,800 per month in the first year to Rs 1,10,880 in the fourth year and as clinical assistants. Superspecialty medical residents will be entitled to stipends starting from Rs 1,20,960 in the first year and increasing to Rs 1,34,400 in the third year. Dental degree residents will receive stipends ranging from Rs 78,960 to Rs 83,496 per month, while physiotherapy degree residents will get Rs 35,280 in the first year and Rs 43,680 in the second year. Medical diploma resident doctors will get Rs 75,600 in the first year and Rs 82,320 in the second year as stipends. 

In the ayurvedic course, postgraduate resident doctors will get stipends starting from Rs 50,400 in the first year and increasing to Rs 57,120 in the third year. The stipend hike also extends to interns and residents at GMERS-managed medical colleges. Interns in undergraduate programmes will receive Rs 21,840, while junior residents will receive Rs 1,00,800, and senior residents will receive Rs 1,10,880.

NMC seeks details of stipends paid to medical students

NMC seeks details of stipends paid to medical students

TNN | Apr 18, 2024, 03.58 AM IST

Ahmedabad: The National Medical Commission (NMC) has directed all medical colleges and health institutions to submit details of stipends paid to undergraduate medical interns, postgraduate (PG) resident doctors, senior resident doctors and PG students in super-specialty courses in 2023-24.

The college administrations have been asked to submit the details by April 23. The NMC’s direction comes in after the Supreme Court’s order in this matter.

Sources said there have been complaints of non-payment of stipends and disparity in stipend amounts between UG and PG students.

In Jan this year, the National Board of Examination in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) had written to the Union ministry of health and family welfare, asking the ministry to order GMERS Valsad to start paying the first and second-year post MBBS diploma course trainees the same stipend amount given to MD, MS and DNB trainees. Sources said that GMERS Valsad college was not doing so despite the NBEMS’s instructions. In Feb 2023, the NBEMS had written to the ministry that the board had received several complaints from MBBS diploma students in Gujarat’s govt medical colleges.

They alleged they were not being given the same amount of stipend that was given to MD, MS, DNB trainees.

The state health department in 2021 had fixed the MBBS diploma first and second-year trainees’ stipend at Rs 63,000-Rs 68,000 per month. However, MD, MS and DNB trainees were being given Rs 84,000-Rs 85,400 per month.