SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, April 4: Medical colleges in Jharkhand have yet to implement the Supreme Court’s directive to pay stipends to Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) completing their internships in state-run institutions.
Supreme Court’s Directive on Stipend Payment
On February 24, 2025, the Supreme Court ordered the Directorate of Medical Education and medical college principals to provide FMG interns with stipends in accordance with the National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines.
The NMC had earlier issued a circular on December 11, 2023, mandating that FMGs receive stipends equal to those given to Indian Medical College Graduates (IMCGs).
Many FMGs were forced to return to India in 2022 due to the Russia-Ukraine war, leaving their medical education incomplete. Recognizing their situation, the NMC allowed them to complete their internships in Indian medical colleges. However, despite clear directives, medical colleges have not complied with the stipend order, leading FMG interns to seek legal recourse.
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Non-Compliance by Jharkhand Medical Colleges
The Supreme Court’s order was served to five medical colleges in Jharkhand—RIMS Ranchi, SNMMCH Dhanbad, MMCH Palamu, SBMCH Hazaribagh, and PJMCH Dumka—where FMG interns are currently undergoing training. Surprisingly, MGMMCH Jamshedpur was not included in the SC notice regarding stipend payments.
Even two months after the court’s directive, the state government has yet to initiate stipend payments. A superintendent from one of the state’s medical college hospitals stated that they have not received any official directive from the government regarding the payment of stipends to FMG interns.
AIPA Belarus Medical College Demands Action
In response to the Supreme Court order, the All India Parents Association (AIPA) of Belarus Medical Colleges has urged the Gujarat government to pay FMG interns a stipend of ₹50,000 per month.
The association held a meeting in Rajkot, Gujarat, demanding immediate notification for stipend payments. It has also warned of approaching the High Court if their demand is not fulfilled.
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