New Delhi, May 27, 2025 

 The Supreme Court on Monday scheduled for July 2025 the hearing of a petition filed by medical interns challenging the non-payment of stipends during their compulsory internship period. The petition, which was earlier admitted by the Court, raises concerns over violations of constitutional rights and the disregard of National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines.

 

The petitioners, including MBBS interns from multiple states, have alleged that several government and private medical colleges are either not paying stipends or are doing so in an arbitrary and inconsistent manner, despite uniform directions issued by the NMC.

 

The plea contends that this practice not only violates Article 14 (Right to Equality) and Article 21 (Right to Life and Dignity) of the Constitution, but also places an undue financial burden on young doctors serving in hospitals as part of their mandated training.

 

The Bench agreed to hear the matter after the summer recess, with arguments expected to resume in July 2025.

 

Key Issues Raised:

• Disparity in Stipend Practices: The petition highlights that while some states pay stipends regularly, others either delay or deny payments altogether.

• Ignored Guidelines: NMC norms prescribe that all MBBS interns must be paid, but many institutions allegedly flout this without consequence.

• Impact on Healthcare Delivery: The petitioners argue that the lack of compensation discourages interns and affects their performance in hospital duties.

 

The Supreme Court’s decision in this case is expected to have a significant impact on the medical education system and could lead to standardized stipend policies for interns across India.