The Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing in July 2025 for a petition filed by MBBS interns challenging the non-payment of stipends during their compulsory internship period, highlighting a major issue affecting medical trainees across India.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court scheduled a hearing for July 2025 regarding a petition filed by medical interns contesting the non-payment of stipends during their compulsory internship period.
The petition, which has already been admitted by the Court, raises issues related to violations of constitutional rights and non-compliance with National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines.
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The petitioners, including MBBS interns from various states, allege that numerous government and private medical colleges either fail to pay stipends or do so inconsistently, despite uniform directives from the NMC.
The plea asserts that this practice violates Article 14 (Right to Equality) and Article 21 (Right to Life and Dignity) of the Constitution, imposing an undue financial burden on young doctors who are fulfilling their training requirements in hospitals.
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The Bench agreed to hear the case after the summer recess, with arguments set to resume in July 2025.
Key Issues Raised:
- Disparity in Stipend Practices: The petition notes that while some states pay stipends regularly, others either delay or completely deny payments.
- Ignored Guidelines: NMC regulations mandate that all MBBS interns must receive stipends, yet many institutions allegedly ignore this without facing any repercussions.
- Impact on Healthcare Delivery: The petitioners argue that the lack of compensation discourages interns and negatively impacts their performance in hospital duties.
The Supreme Court’s ruling in this case is anticipated to significantly influence the medical education system and may lead to standardized stipend policies for interns across India.
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This case is important because it touches on the concerns of young medical graduates who are serving patients in hospitals without getting any stipend, even though they are working long hours and handling responsibilities just like regular doctors.
The Court is expected to consider whether this situation violates the interns’ rights and whether all states should follow a standard rule on paying MBBS interns during their mandatory service.
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