SUBHASH MISHRA
Ranchi, Oct 15: Jharkhand Health Minister Dr Irfan Ansari on Wednesday directed the Health Department to immediately increase the stipends of interns in all five state-run medical colleges.
During a meeting with representatives of the Junior Doctors Network (JDN) at his residence in Ranchi, Dr Ansari also instructed the department’s Joint Secretary to review and revise the honorarium of Senior Residents (SRs) and Postgraduate (PG) trainee doctors, bringing them on par with their counterparts in Bihar.
Intern Stipend to be Raised to ₹25,000 per Month
According to the minister’s order, the stipend for medical interns will be increased from ₹17,500 to ₹25,000 per month.
The JDN had earlier demanded a raise to ₹30,000, highlighting that interns at Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Ranchi, currently receive ₹32,500 per month.
Senior Residents’ Pay to Match Bihar Scale
The delegation urged the government to revise the pay structure for Senior Residents, recommending salaries of ₹1,00,000 in the first year, ₹1.10 lakh in the second year, and ₹1.20 lakh in the third year — similar to their counterparts in Bihar, where SRs earn about ₹1 lakh monthly.
At present, Senior Residents in Jharkhand’s five medical colleges are paid between ₹80,000 and ₹90,000 per month. Dr Ansari directed the Joint Secretary to assess the current Bihar structure and implement a similar scale in Jharkhand.
Revised Stipend Proposed for PG Trainees
The JDN delegation also sought an increase in stipends for PG trainee doctors, suggesting ₹85,000 in the first year, ₹92,000 in the second year, and ₹99,000 in the third year.
Currently, PG trainees receive ₹54,500, ₹58,500, and ₹63,500 for the respective years. The Health Minister has instructed officials to revise these rates to ensure parity and improve working conditions.
Maternity Leave Approved for Female Senior Residents
In a significant welfare decision, Dr Ansari also approved maternity leave benefits for female Senior Residents across state medical colleges — a key demand long raised by the junior doctors’ community.
Boost to Morale and Healthcare Quality
JDN State Secretary Dr Raghvendra Kumar welcomed the minister’s decisions, saying the move would “greatly boost the morale of Senior Residents, PG trainees, and interns, while enhancing their dedication to patient care.”
The revision of stipends and benefits is expected to strengthen Jharkhand’s healthcare infrastructure and help retain medical professionals within the state.
