Medical interns across Jammu and Kashmir began protests on August 31 demanding that their monthly stipend be increased from around Rs 12,300 to Rs 30,000, saying the existing amount is inadequate for the long hours, clinical responsibilities and rising cost of living they face.
The protests were held at Government Medical Colleges and other institutions, including SKIMS Bemina, with interns highlighting duties that can stretch to 36 hours. Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo acknowledged that the demand is genuine and said the proposal to raise the stipend is under consideration by the Finance Department. However, she urged the interns not to strike, saying disruption of services could affect patient care. Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee president Tariq Hameed Karra has also backed the interns, urging Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to intervene and ensure an early resolution.
Long Hours, Low Pay
The protests brought renewed attention to the working conditions of MBBS and BDS interns, who are required to complete compulsory clinical training while taking on significant responsibilities in hospitals. Interns said they work in outpatient departments, wards, emergency units and during night shifts, with some duties extending to 24–36 hours. At Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar, one protesting intern, Dr Anam, said, “We are the backbone of all hospitals in J&K.
We run OPDs and night shifts and yet our stipends are stuck at Rs 12,000.” She said the stipend has not been revised for nearly seven years. Other interns have said the existing amount can be insufficient even to meet commuting expenses, making it difficult to manage basic costs while working demanding shifts.
The gap with other states has further fuelled the demand. According to figures circulated by the protesting interns, several states pay medical interns more than Rs 30,000 a month, with Odisha and West Bengal listed at over Rs 43,000 and Assam at Rs 35,000. Karnataka provides Rs 30,000, while Kerala offers Rs 27,300. In contrast, J&K’s stipend stands at around Rs 12,300. The interns are therefore seeking a revision to Rs 30,000, arguing that comparable clinical responsibilities should receive comparable financial support.
Government Proposal Pending
The government has indicated that it is not dismissing the interns’ concerns. Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo said on August 31 that the demand for a higher stipend was “genuine” and that the government had already processed the proposal. According to Itoo, the file has been sent to the Finance Department to assess its financial implications, with the proposed revision being considered from around Rs 12,000 to Rs 30,000. She also pointed to rising inflation as a reason why the stipend needs to be reviewed.
At the same time, Itoo questioned the decision to resort to a strike, saying the matter was already under consideration and that withdrawal of services could affect patients. The interns, however, have maintained that the issue has remained unresolved despite repeated representations and assurances. Their latest protest reflects frustration over what they describe as a long-pending demand rather than simply a request for higher remuneration.
The interns have also received political support. Congress leader Tariq Hameed Karra wrote to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, describing their demand as genuine and calling for “sympathetic and immediate consideration”. He highlighted the 36-hour shifts undertaken by young doctors and said their contribution to public healthcare warranted better financial support. Karra urged the administration to engage directly with the protesters and work towards an early resolution.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Medical interns occupy a difficult space in healthcare: they are still completing their training, yet they are also deeply involved in the day-to-day functioning of hospitals and patient care. Their concerns over pay, workload and working conditions deserve to be heard seriously, just as the government’s concerns about maintaining uninterrupted patient services deserve consideration.
A constructive resolution should not pit young doctors against patients or administrators against healthcare workers. Instead, meaningful dialogue, a clear timeline and transparent communication can help rebuild trust while ensuring that patient care is protected. If the government already recognises the interns’ demand as genuine, shouldn’t the next step be a time-bound decision that balances their dignity and financial needs with the uninterrupted delivery of healthcare?
Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir: MBBS and BDS intern doctors in Jammu stage a protest for the second consecutive day, demanding a written government order to increase their monthly stipend from Rs 12,000 to Rs 30,000. pic.twitter.com/v9UbtqEpvJ
— IANS (@ians_india) September 1, 2026
