J&K Medical Interns To Strike Over 'Lowest' Stipend From Aug 31

(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer) Srinagar- Medical interns across Jammu and Kashmir have announced an indefinite strike from August 31, demanding a substantial revision of their monthly stipend, which they say has remained unchanged for nearly six years despite rising living costs and the growing responsibilities they shoulder in government hospitals.

The interns are demanding a monthly stipend of ₹30,000, against the current payment of around ₹12,300, which they contend is among the lowest compared with stipends paid to medical interns elsewhere in the country.

ADVERTISEMENT

In a communication issued ahead of the proposed strike, the interns said prolonged inaction on their demand had left them with no option but to withdraw their services from August 31 and launch protests until a formal order revising the stipend is issued.

“In view of the prolonged inaction, intern doctors have decided to publicly announce a complete strike from August 31, 2026, followed by protests, until a formal order regarding revision of the stipend is issued,” they said.

ADVERTISEMENT

The interns said their demand was not merely for an increase in remuneration but for“fair compensation, dignity and recognition” of the services they render during their compulsory internship.

Read Also Kashmir's Hospital Boom Has a Quality Problem J&K to Advertise Around 800 Para-Medical Posts in Dec: Minister Itoo

They said interns play a crucial role in the functioning of government hospitals, working across wards, emergency departments, operation theatres, intensive care units and outpatient departments while shouldering significant clinical responsibilities.

The disparity in stipends has emerged as a key argument behind the demand.

According to figures cited by the interns, Odisha pays ₹44,319 per month, followed by West Bengal at ₹43,099 and Assam at ₹35,000. Karnataka pays ₹30,000, while Kerala offers ₹27,300.

Delhi and Meghalaya pay ₹26,300, Telangana ₹25,900, and Arunachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh ₹25,000 each.

Tamil Nadu pays around ₹25,000 or more, while Haryana offers ₹24,310 and Andhra Pradesh ₹22,500. Gujarat pays around ₹21,840, while Bihar pays over ₹20,000.

Goa, Himachal Pradesh and Puducherry pay ₹20,000 each, while Maharashtra pays ₹18,000.

Against these figures, the interns say the stipend of around ₹12,300 in Jammu and Kashmir leaves them at the bottom of the comparison.

The proposed protest has received support from the Resident Doctors' Association of Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar and associated hospitals, along with postgraduate and senior residents.

In a statement of solidarity, the association said the existing stipend did not adequately reflect the duties and responsibilities of interns or the rising cost of living.

“Their demand for a revision of the stipend to ₹30,000 per month is a legitimate demand for fairness, dignity and appropriate recognition of their invaluable service,” it said.

The resident doctors urged the authorities to take immediate and meaningful steps to resolve the issue and ensure an early and just settlement.

The interns said representatives from medical colleges across Jammu and Kashmir had coordinated the proposed action and maintained that the demand was not confined to any particular institution.

They have appealed to all MBBS interns to remain united and participate peacefully in the protest.

Health activist Dr Mohammad Momin Khan also questioned the continued delay in revising the stipend of medical interns in J&K.

“If Uttar Pradesh can enhance the internship stipend to ₹25,000, why is Jammu and Kashmir still delaying a fair revision for its medical interns? Our interns deserve dignity, recognition and fair compensation for their contribution to the healthcare system,” he said.

The interns said they would continue to seek a formal decision from the authorities before August 31, but reiterated that they would refrain from joining their duties unless their demand for a stipend revision is addressed.

The proposed strike is expected to involve interns across medical colleges in Jammu and Kashmir and could affect services where interns form part of the frontline hospital workforce.

MENAFN28082026000215011059ID1111593446