J&K Medical Interns Continue Indefinite Strike Over Rs 12,300 Stipend, Demand Rs 30,000
MBBS and BDS interns across Jammu and Kashmir began an indefinite strike on Monday, demanding an increase in their monthly stipend from Rs 12,300 to Rs 30,000.
The interns said the existing stipend has remained largely unchanged for nearly seven years, despite repeated representations to the authorities and recommendations for a revision. They argued that the amount does not reflect their workload, responsibilities or rising living costs. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
The protest was held at several medical institutions across the Union Territory, including Government Medical Colleges and associated hospitals in Srinagar, Jammu, Baramulla, Handwara, Kathua, Rajouri and Doda. Interns also staged sit-ins outside SKIMS Bemina and other healthcare facilities.
Interns demand Rs 30,000 monthly stipend
The protesting doctors said they receive around Rs 12,300 a month, which works out to roughly Rs 400 a day. They said they are regularly assigned duties in emergency departments, outpatient departments, wards, operation theatres and intensive care units.
They also perform night shifts and are posted in rural areas as part of their internship.
“Same work, same dedication and fair stipend” was among the messages displayed on protest banners.
One of the protesting interns said they were not demanding anything unreasonable but wanted compensation that was more in line with their duties and the stipends being paid in other parts of the country.
“We are doctors, yet we are being paid only around Rs 400 a day. Our work and responsibilities deserve fair compensation,” an intern said.
J&K at bottom of stipend comparison
According to figures displayed by the protesting interns, several states pay substantially higher stipends to medical interns.
Odisha was shown at the top of their comparison with a monthly stipend of Rs 44,319, followed by West Bengal at Rs 43,099 and Assam at Rs 35,000.
Karnataka was listed at Rs 30,000, while Kerala pays Rs 27,300 and Delhi and Meghalaya Rs 26,300 each. Telangana was shown at Rs 25,900, while Arunachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh were listed at Rs 25,000.
Other states listed by the interns included Haryana at Rs 24,310, Andhra Pradesh at around Rs 21,840, and Gujarat, Bihar, Goa and Himachal Pradesh at around Rs 20,000.
Against these figures, J&K interns receive Rs 12,300 a month, according to the comparison shared during the protests.
Interns say stipend revision has been pending for years
The protesting interns said the issue has been under consideration for several years.
Dr Abhinav Bhat, one of the protesters, said a committee constituted by the Health and Medical Education Department in 2023 had recommended an increase in the stipend.
He said the matter was subsequently discussed during the 2026 Assembly session, where a proposed stipend of around Rs 26,300 was mentioned. However, the interns alleged that no formal order had been issued to implement the revision.
The protesters said they had repeatedly approached officials and different government departments but had not received a clear response regarding the status of the file.
“At times we are told that the file has been forwarded to the Chief Minister, while at other times we are told it is with the Finance Department,” one intern said.
The interns are now demanding a written government order rather than another verbal assurance.
Protests held across Jammu division
At GMC Jammu, MBBS and BDS interns staged a sit-in as part of the pan-J&K strike call.
The protesters carried placards with messages including “We are not learning, we are serving” and “The commitment is ours, responsibility is yours”.
They said the internship was an important stage of medical training during which they work directly with patients and assist senior doctors in various clinical duties.
Interns at GMC Kathua also staged a protest, raising slogans demanding a monthly stipend of Rs 30,000.
At GMC Baramulla, interns said they would refrain from routine duties until their demand was addressed. They pointed out that they regularly work in emergency departments, wards, operation theatres and intensive care units.
Interns at GMC Handwara also held a peaceful demonstration, demanding implementation of the pending Finance Committee recommendations.
Interns say patient care should not be affected
The protesting doctors said they were aware of their responsibilities towards patients and did not want emergency services to suffer because of the agitation.
They maintained that emergency services were continuing despite the strike.
However, the wider functioning of hospitals was reported to have been affected as interns stopped performing their routine duties.
The interns said they would continue their indefinite strike until the government formally addresses their demand and issues a written order on the revised stipend.
Waheed Para backs protesting interns
PDP MLA from Pulwama Waheed Para also backed the protesting medical interns and urged the government to address their concerns.
Para said it was unfortunate that highly educated young people had been pushed onto the streets after their concerns remained unresolved.
He also highlighted the demanding nature of internship duties, including emergency work and overnight shifts, and called upon the J&K government to consider the demand for a Rs 30,000 monthly stipend at the earliest.
For the protesting interns, the issue is now about more than a stipend. They say years of delays, rising living costs and the gap between their compensation and that of interns elsewhere have left them with no option but to launch an indefinite strike.
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