🚨 RTI Exposes 60 Medical Colleges Not Paying Stipends to Interns – A Major Crisis in Medical Education
🚨 RTI Exposes 60 Medical Colleges Not Paying Stipends to Interns – A Major Crisis in Medical Education
📢 Medical Interns Denied Stipends – A Shocking RTI Revelation
A recent Right to Information (RTI) inquiry has exposed a major issue in India’s medical education system—60 medical colleges across the country are failing to pay stipends to their interns, postgraduate residents, and senior residents.
This shocking revelation has raised concerns among medical professionals, students, and policymakers, highlighting the need for strict enforcement of regulations.
📊 RTI Findings – The Numbers Speak for Themselves
According to the RTI filed by Dr. K.V. Babu, a medical activist from Kerala, out of the over 500 medical colleges in India, 290 government colleges and 265 private colleges responded to queries regarding stipend payments. The findings were alarming:
🔴 33 government medical colleges admitted to not paying stipends.
🔴 27 private medical colleges were also found non-compliant.
🔴 198 colleges (115 government & 83 private) failed to submit stipend details to authorities.
💡 Total Colleges Not Paying Stipends: 60
Despite existing regulations, interns and resident doctors are being denied their rightful stipends, raising serious questions about accountability in medical education.
⚖️ Who Is Responsible? Lack of Action by the National Medical Commission (NMC)
The National Medical Commission (NMC) is responsible for regulating medical education and ensuring compliance with stipend payment rules. However, despite these findings, no action has been taken against the violating colleges.
In November 2024, following a Supreme Court directive, the NMC issued show-cause notices to 198 medical colleges for failing to submit stipend details. However, no penalties or enforcement measures were implemented.
▶ NMC’s Role in the Crisis:
✔ Has the authority to penalize non-compliant colleges.
✔ Can impose fines up to ₹1 crore per institution.
✔ Can withhold accreditation for five academic years.
❌ But has not taken any strict action so far!
Instead of directly intervening, the NMC shifted responsibility to state authorities, leading to delays and inaction.
🔎 Why Stipends Are Essential for Medical Interns
Medical interns and resident doctors play a crucial role in hospitals. They work long hours, handle emergency cases, assist in surgeries, and provide critical care. Stipends are not just a form of financial support but a basic right that helps them sustain their rigorous medical training.
🔹 Impact of Not Receiving Stipends:
❌ Financial strain on medical interns.
❌ Increased stress and demotivation.
❌ Inequality in medical education.
❌ Forced to depend on personal savings or loans.
🛑 Demands for Government Intervention
Following the RTI revelations, medical professionals and activists are demanding immediate intervention from the government and NMC.
💡 Dr. K.V. Babu has formally appealed to Health Minister J.P. Nadda, requesting enforcement under Section 45 of the NMC Act. This section allows the central government to take action against violations of medical education regulations.
✔ Key Demands:
✅ Strict penalties for colleges violating stipend norms.
✅ Transparent reporting system for stipend payments.
✅ Regular audits to ensure compliance.
✅ Revocation of accreditation for repeated offenders.
🔮 What’s Next?
This RTI revelation has sparked national debate, pushing authorities to take action. If no strict measures are taken, this trend of non-payment could spread, affecting thousands of future doctors.
▶ What needs to happen?
✔ Immediate action from the NMC and state governments.
✔ Accountability for colleges violating stipend rules.
✔ Fair treatment of medical interns and residents.
🚀 Medical students and professionals must continue raising their voices to ensure that stipend payments become mandatory and strictly enforced across all medical colleges.
📢 Final Thoughts – A Call for Justice in Medical Education
The denial of stipends to medical interns is a serious violation of their rights. These students dedicate their lives to saving others, yet many are forced to work without financial support.
📣 It’s time for action! The government, NMC, and medical institutions must take responsibility and ensure that no medical intern in India is left unpaid.
🔗 Stay updated with the latest developments in medical education and policies!
