MBBS Stipend Dispute : NMC Tells Supreme Court Only 7 Medical Colleges Found Not Paying Interns, Resident Doctors
The National Medical Commission (NMC) informed the Supreme Court that only seven medical colleges have been found not paying stipends to interns, junior residents, or senior residents, and that regulatory action has already been initiated against them.A Bench of Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice Prasanna B. Varale was hearing a batch of petitions concerning payment of stipends to medical...
The National Medical Commission (NMC) informed the Supreme Court that only seven medical colleges have been found not paying stipends to interns, junior residents, or senior residents, and that regulatory action has already been initiated against them.
A Bench of Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice Prasanna B. Varale was hearing a batch of petitions concerning payment of stipends to medical interns and resident doctors across the country.
During the hearing, Senior Advocate Gaurav Sharma appearing for the NMC submitted a detailed chart on the status of stipend payments by medical colleges.
According to the NMC's submissions, out of 756 undergraduate medical colleges, there is no dispute regarding stipend payment in 573 colleges. The Commission further stated that 176 medical colleges have been established recently and therefore the question of stipend payment does not arise in their case as they do not yet have eligible interns.
The NMC informed the Court that only seven medical colleges were found not paying stipends. It stated that show-cause notices have already been issued to these institutions proposing penalties and that further action would be taken after considering their replies.
The Commission also submitted that one medical college remains closed and has no interns.
With respect to postgraduate institutions, the NMC stated that 562 colleges are conducting postgraduate courses and are paying stipends. It added that two colleges do not have any interns, making the issue of stipend payment inapplicable to them.
Recording the submissions, the Court appointed Advocate Charu Mathur as the nodal counsel for the matters. The Bench requested all appearing advocates to provide their synopses, charts, and pleadings to her so that a consolidated convenience compilation can be prepared for the Court's consideration.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on August 24, 2026.
The proceedings arise from a batch of petitions raising concerns regarding non-payment and disparity in stipends paid to medical interns and resident doctors across various medical colleges in India.
During earlier hearings, the Court has repeatedly expressed concerns over complaints regarding non-payment of stipend, and chided the NMC for not enforcing its own circulars.
Case Details: ABHISHEK YADAV Vs ARMY COLLEGE OF MEDICAL SCIENCES|W.P.(C) No. 730/2022