Telangana medical interns seek equal stipends and announce protest timetable

Foreign medical graduates interning at Telangana government hospitals are demanding monthly stipends of ₹29,792. They announced withdrawal from emergency duties on October 11–13 and a possible protest at the medical education director's office from October 14.

The interns said some receive no stipend, while others are paid only ₹5,000 a month. They contend that their clinical responsibilities are comparable to those of graduates trained at Indian medical colleges.

They are seeking a written government order or official circular establishing equal payments, together with arrears from January. Their representations cite National Medical Commission guidance, court decisions and state orders.

The organisers said withdrawal from emergency and casualty duties would be subject to applicable rules and necessary patient-care arrangements. If the issue remains unresolved, they intend to hold a peaceful protest at the Director of Medical Education's office.

Representatives said they had raised the stipend issue for four to five years, approaching hospital superintendents and district collectors. They said a further meeting with officials and submission of supporting documents took place on September 23.

Graduates who obtain medical degrees abroad must pass the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination before undertaking compulsory rotatory medical internships in India. Participants say the payment disparity makes it difficult to meet basic expenses.

Telangana Today also reported on October 11 that the protest had extended to emergency duties through October 13. The announced action does not establish that all hospitals in the state have stopped providing emergency care.