J&K MBBS interns resume strike over stipend, Chief Minister approves hike to Rs 25,000

Medical interns across Jammu and Kashmir government hospitals resumed their indefinite strike on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. The action follows the government’s failure to honour its commitment to increase their monthly stipend within the one-month deadline assured on September 8, 2026.

The interns, who currently receive Rs 12,300 per month, are demanding a stipend of Rs 30,000. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has since approved an increase to Rs 25,000, but interns state they will continue their protest until a formal government order is issued.

Background to the Stipend Dispute

The current monthly stipend for MBBS and BDS interns in Jammu and Kashmir has remained at Rs 12,300 for nearly seven years. In September 2026, interns initiated a strike demanding a hike, which was called off after the government provided a written assurance on September 8, 2026, to address their demands within a month.

A committee constituted through Government Order No. 538-JK(HME) of 2023 dated June 27, 2023, had recommended increasing the stipend to Rs 25,000 per month. The J&K government informed the Legislative Assembly about this recommendation on February 17, 2026. The proposal for the stipend hike was after that forwarded to the Finance Department for financial concurrence.

Chief Minister’s Approval and Interns’ Stance

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has approved an increase in the monthly stipend for MBBS and BDS interns in Jammu and Kashmir from Rs 12,300 to Rs 25,000. This represents an increase of over 103 percent. The Health and Medical Education Department has been directed to issue the necessary orders immediately following the Chief Minister’s approval.

Despite the approval, medical interns have decided to continue their indefinite strike. Dr Mohammad Akib Javid, Joint Secretary of the All India Medical Students’ Association (AIMSA), confirmed that the strike would persist until a formal government order implementing the revision is issued. Interns were informed that the order could not be issued on Tuesday due to a holiday and was expected on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. Mohammad Tasadduk Kawser, joint secretary of the J&K chapter of AIMSA, reiterated that the strike would only end after an official government order is issued and implemented.

“We have seen ‘approvals’ and ‘assurances’ before. This time, J&K MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) and BDS interns will not call off the strike on verbal claims or media reports. We will end our agitation only after the official government order is issued and implemented immediately,” stated Mohammad Tasadduk Kawser.

Stipend Revisions in Other States

The National Medical Commission’s regulatory framework allows relevant authorities to determine stipend amounts, not prescribing a uniform nationwide rate. Several states have revised their MBBS intern stipends in 2025 and 2026, with some increasing the amount to Rs 25,000 per month.

Chhattisgarh increased the monthly stipend for MBBS interns from Rs 15,900 to Rs 25,000, effective October 1, 2026. Uttar Pradesh approved an increase for MBBS and BDS interns from Rs 12,000 to Rs 25,000 on August 25, 2026, benefiting approximately 3,928 medical and dental interns. Uttarakhand also increased its monthly stipend for MBBS interns from Rs 17,000 to Rs 25,000, approved on September 11, 2026. Madhya Pradesh raised its monthly stipend for MBBS interns to Rs 21,500 in 2026, from an earlier rate of Rs 14,337.

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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