Medical Interns – NMC Moves Toward Uniform Stipend Policy
Medical Interns – After years of uncertainty, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has indicated that undergraduate medical interns should receive equal stipends regardless of whether they train in government or private medical colleges. The development comes nearly five years after concerns were first raised about disparities in payments across institutions.
Health Ministry Pushes for Policy Review
The move follows repeated directions issued last year by the Union Health Ministry, which sought clarity on stipend payments for interns. In a communication dated February 18, the NMC stated that any modification to the Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) Regulations, 2021, would require review under the established statutory framework and consultation with relevant authorities.
The statement marked the first formal acknowledgment from the regulator that the existing rules may require reconsideration to address concerns raised by students and stakeholders.
Stark Gap Between Government and Private Colleges
At present, government medical colleges typically pay interns between Rs 20,000 and Rs 30,000 per month. In contrast, several private institutions either offer significantly lower amounts or do not provide stipends at all.
Data released by the NMC in 2025 revealed that out of 555 medical colleges across the country, 60 were not paying any stipend to interns. Many others were offering nominal sums of less than Rs 5,000 per month. The findings intensified scrutiny over the implementation of internship regulations and raised questions about oversight mechanisms in private institutions.
Concerns Raised During Draft Stage
Dr. K.V. Babu, an RTI activist, said he had flagged potential loopholes when the draft CRMI Regulations were made public in 2021. He had written to the Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB), cautioning that the language of the draft allowed private college managements significant discretion in determining stipend payments.
The CRMI Regulations, 2021, specify that interns must receive a stipend as determined by the appropriate authority applicable to the institution, university, or state. However, critics argue that this wording leaves room for varied interpretations, enabling some colleges to pay minimal amounts.
Contrast with Postgraduate Guidelines
The debate over stipend parity has also drawn attention to differences between undergraduate and postgraduate regulations. The Post Graduate Medical Education Regulations (PGMER) 2023 clearly mandate that interns pursuing compulsory rotating internships must receive stipends equivalent to those paid in state government or central government medical institutions within the same region.
This explicit provision in the postgraduate framework has been cited as an example of clearer policy drafting, contrasting with the more flexible wording in the CRMI Regulations.
Correspondence and Legal Developments
When approached by the Medical Education Policy Section of the Health Ministry regarding a request to withdraw and reissue the CRMI Regulations with amendments, UGMEB Director Ram Pratap maintained that the existing rules already provide for stipend payments.
Despite this position, the matter did not settle. Dr. Babu continued to pursue the issue, writing to the Health Ministry in June 2022 and again in November after the Supreme Court criticized the NMC over non-payment of stipends in certain institutions.
Following the court’s observations, the ministry acted promptly, issuing directions to the NMC to address the concerns. The February 18 communication is seen as a response to those instructions.
What Lies Ahead
Any formal amendment to the CRMI Regulations would require consultation with stakeholders and adherence to the statutory process. For thousands of medical interns across India, the outcome could determine whether stipend parity becomes a uniform reality rather than a matter of institutional discretion.
The issue highlights broader challenges in regulating medical education, ensuring fair treatment of trainees, and maintaining consistency across public and private institutions. As discussions continue, stakeholders will be watching closely for concrete steps toward uniform implementation.