Telangana FMG interns seek stipend parity, threaten protest

Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) undergoing compulsory rotatory medical internship (CRMI) at government hospitals across Telangana have alleged disparity in stipend payments, with some receiving no stipend and others being paid just ₹5,000 a month despite performing clinical duties similar to those of Indian medical graduates. They are demanding a monthly stipend of ₹29,792, along with arrears from January onwards.

The interns have sought a Government Order (GO) or official circular ensuring parity with other medical interns, citing National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines and relevant legal and State orders. They said the disparity had made it difficult for many of them to meet their basic expenses.

FMGs complete their medical education abroad and must qualify the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE), a mandatory licensing examination for those seeking to practise in India after obtaining their degrees overseas. They are then required to undergo a compulsory rotatory medical internship in India.

The interns said they had been raising the stipend issue with the authorities for the past four to five years but were yet to receive a satisfactory resolution.

According to their statement, they had submitted representations to the superintendents of their respective government hospitals. On September 23, they met officials and submitted a representation along with supporting documents. They also submitted representations and documents to the respective District Collectors.

As part of their protest, the interns plan to collectively refrain from emergency and casualty duties from October 11 to 13, subject to applicable rules and necessary patient-care arrangements. If the issue remains unresolved, they said they would stage a peaceful protest at the office of the Director of Medical Education from October 14, demanding a clear written order or circular on stipend parity.