Medical : Regulator Yet to Act on Colleges Missing Intern Stipend Disclosures
Medical : The National Medical Commission (NMC) has yet to take regulatory action against dozens of medical colleges that have failed to disclose stipend details for MBBS interns, despite repeated reminders from the Union Health Ministry and explicit directions from the Supreme Court. Official records indicate that the issue has remained unresolved for several months, raising concerns about regulatory enforcement and transparency in medical education.
Ongoing Non-Compliance by Medical Colleges
According to information shared by the Health Ministry in response to a Right to Information application, 65 medical colleges have not submitted data on stipends paid to undergraduate medical interns over the past six months. This is despite clear instructions that such disclosures are mandatory and form part of regulatory oversight. The lack of compliance has persisted even after warnings that regulatory consequences could follow.
Supreme Court Directions Remain Unfulfilled
The ministry’s RTI reply, dated January 19, clarified that responsibility for compiling stipend-related data lies with the Under-Graduate Medical Education Board under the NMC. This arrangement follows earlier Supreme Court orders that emphasized the importance of addressing issues related to fees, stipends, and fair treatment of medical interns. However, the latest response confirms that a significant number of institutions have yet to adhere to these directions.
Role of RTI and Activist Intervention
The matter came to renewed attention following an application filed by Kerala-based RTI activist and medical professional Dr KV Babu. He noted that the information disclosed by the ministry highlights continued non-compliance, even after formal warnings were issued. Dr Babu also stated that his complaint prompted the Health Ministry to send reminders to the NMC, but no tangible regulatory steps appear to have been taken so far.
Regulatory Warnings Issued Earlier
In a public notice issued on July 11, 2025, the NMC referred to a Supreme Court order addressing multiple concerns in medical education, including the non-payment or underpayment of stipends to interns. The notice warned that colleges failing to provide accurate stipend information could face regulatory action. Despite this, the current status suggests that enforcement has not followed the stated intent.
Growing Discontent Among Medical Trainees
The prolonged delay has contributed to growing frustration among medical students and resident doctors’ associations. Several groups have pointed to what they describe as an inconsistent regulatory approach, arguing that delays undermine confidence in oversight mechanisms meant to protect trainees’ rights. Protests and formal representations by student bodies have cited stipend transparency as a key issue affecting morale and financial security during training.
Supreme Court Scrutiny Intensifies
Judicial scrutiny of the matter intensified on October 28, when the Supreme Court questioned the NMC over delays in responding to a plea that alleged nearly 70 per cent of medical colleges do not pay stipends to interns as required. The court expressed concern over the lack of timely action and directed both the NMC and the Union government to submit comprehensive data. It also urged the regulator to take appropriate steps to address the issue without further delay.
Broader Implications for Medical Education
Observers note that stipend compliance is not merely an administrative requirement but a critical aspect of ensuring fair treatment for medical interns, many of whom rely on stipends to meet living expenses during demanding training periods. Continued inaction, they argue, could weaken regulatory credibility and set an adverse precedent for accountability within medical education institutions.
As the matter remains unresolved, attention is likely to stay focused on whether the NMC moves from warnings to enforcement, in line with court directions and ministry reminders. The outcome could have lasting implications for regulatory oversight and the welfare of medical trainees across the country.