SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, March 16: The Supreme Court (SC) has directed five medical colleges in Jharkhand to pay a stipend of ₹25,000 per month to Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) completing their internships at these institutions.
While hearing writ petitions filed by FMG interns, the SC ordered that they be paid a stipend equal to that of MBBS (Indian Medical Graduate) interns, as per the National Medical Commission (NMC) circular issued on July 12, 2023. The court also warned that failure to implement the NMC regulation could invite adverse action against the concerned colleges and universities.
The directive applies to five medical colleges in the state:
- Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Ranchi
- Shahid Nirmal Mahto Medical College and Hospital (SNMMCH), Dhanbad
- Phulo Jhano Medical College and Hospital (PJMCH), Dumka
- Shaheed Bhagat Singh Medical College and Hospital (SBMCH), Hazaribagh
- Medinirai Medical College and Hospital (MMCH), Palamu
Additionally, the SC has sent directives to the Jharkhand Medical Council (JMC) and the Directorate of Medical Education, Jharkhand.
Notably, FMG interns are also completing their internships at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College and Hospital (MGMMCH), Jamshedpur, but the SC’s directive currently applies only to the five institutions mentioned.
Background
Several Indian students pursuing medical degrees in Ukraine had to return to India due to the Russia-Ukraine war, leaving their internships incomplete in 2023. Following NMC’s directive, these students were accommodated at RIMS Ranchi, SNMMCH Dhanbad, SBMCH Hazaribagh, PJMCH Dumka, and MMCH Palamu to complete their internships.
According to the NMC circular, all FMG interns are entitled to a stipend, as determined by the respective medical colleges and universities. However, despite this directive, no medical college in Jharkhand paid them the stipend. As a result, the interns approached the High Court and subsequently the Supreme Court for relief.
The SC expressed concern that FMG interns were forced to sign undertakings stating that their internships would be unpaid. The ruling noted that this put students in a “catch-22 situation” as they had no alternative but to accept these terms.
Furthermore, the SC highlighted that FMG interns are assigned the same duties as MBBS interns. Since MBBS interns receive a stipend, FMGs should also be compensated, as they cannot afford to bear the expenses on their own.
Financial Burden on FMG Interns
The SC ruling detailed the financial strain faced by FMG interns, emphasizing that many are from outside Ranchi, Dhanbad, Hazaribagh, Palamu, and Dumka. These students must cover costs for accommodation, food, travel, loan repayments, and other expenses. Given these financial challenges, the court mandated that they receive a minimum stipend of ₹25,000 per month.
