SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Aug 27: Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) undergoing internships in Jharkhand’s government medical colleges are yet to receive stipends, even six months after the Supreme Court directed uniform payment across the country. In contrast, FMGs interning in Gujarat and several other states have already started receiving their dues.
On July 30, 2025, the Director of Medical Education, Jharkhand, issued a letter to Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Ranchi, and principals of five medical colleges—MGMMCH Jamshedpur, SNMMCH Dhanbad, PJMCH Dumka, SBMCH Hazaribagh, and MMCH Palamu—asking for details of stipends to be paid to FMG interns. The department also sought a list of all FMGs completing internships since July 1, 2023.
Medical Colleges Claim Reports Submitted
When contacted, SNMMCH Dhanbad Superintendent Dr. Dinesh Kumar Gindauria and PJMCH Dumka officials confirmed that their reports had already been submitted to the health department. However, despite these submissions, no payment process has been initiated.
The Supreme Court, in its order dated February 24, 2025, had directed the National Medical Commission (NMC) and medical colleges nationwide to pay FMGs stipends equal to those received by MBBS interns.
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Background of the Issue
Many Indian students enrolled in medical universities in Ukraine during 2022–23 were forced to return due to the ongoing war with Russia, leaving their courses incomplete.
Recognizing their plight, the NMC allowed such students to finish their internships in Indian medical colleges. Several FMGs joined government medical institutions in Jharkhand under this arrangement.
Despite providing services as interns for months, FMGs in Jharkhand have not received any financial support. Frustrated with the delay, some eventually approached the Supreme Court, which granted them relief through its directive.
Existing Stipend Structure in Jharkhand
Currently, interns at RIMS Ranchi are entitled to ₹26,400 per month, while those in MGMMCH Jamshedpur, SNMMCH Dhanbad, PJMCH Dumka, SBMCH Hazaribagh, and MMCH Palamu are paid ₹17,500 per month. However, FMGs working alongside MBBS interns in these same institutions have yet to be compensated.
Gujarat Begins Stipend Disbursement
Meanwhile, Gujarat has already implemented the Supreme Court order. Rajesh Khetan, former secretary of the Gujarat FMGs Parents Association, confirmed that the January batch of FMG interns has received stipends, and the latest batch is expected to be paid soon.
