MBBS and BDS interns across government medical colleges in Jammu and Kashmir began an indefinite strike on 31 August, demanding that their monthly stipend be increased from Rs. 12,300 to Rs. 30,000.
The protest comes months after the Jammu and Kashmir government told the Legislative Assembly that a committee had recommended raising the stipend to Rs. 25,000. However, that recommendation had not been formally implemented.
Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo has said the interns' demand is genuine and that the proposal is being processed by the Finance Department. The interns, however, want a formal government order before ending their strike.
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What Happened On 31 August?
On Monday, 31 August, MBBS and BDS interns at government medical colleges and hospitals across Jammu and Kashmir began an indefinite strike over the stipend issue.
Protests were reported at several institutions, including Government Medical College Srinagar, Government Medical College Jammu, GMC Baramulla, GMC Handwara, GMC Anantnag, GMC Udhampur, GMC Rajouri, GMC Doda and SKIMS Medical College Bemina.
The interns are demanding an increase in their monthly stipend from Rs. 12,300 to Rs. 30,000.
They have cited long working hours, emergency duties, night shifts, clinical responsibilities and the rising cost of living as reasons for seeking the revision. These descriptions of their workload are claims made by the protesting interns and their representatives.
At Rs. 12,300 a month, the stipend works out to about Rs. 410 a day if divided across 30 days.
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Why Are J&K Medical Interns Protesting?
The interns say the Rs. 12,300 stipend has remained unchanged for nearly seven years, while the cost of living and internship stipends in several other states have increased.
They argue that interns work in emergency departments, OPDs, wards and other clinical areas, and may also be assigned night duties and rural postings.
The interns have also highlighted differences between J&K and other states. Figures displayed by the protesters and reported by news organisations include Rs. 30,000 in Karnataka, Rs. 27,300 in Kerala and Rs. 26,300 in Delhi and Meghalaya, while higher figures were cited for Odisha and West Bengal.
These figures are being presented as part of the interns' argument and should not be treated as an independently verified nationwide comparison.
Their central demand is for the J&K stipend to be revised to Rs. 30,000 a month.
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Did The J&K Government Already Recommend A Stipend Hike?
Yes, but the recommended amount was Rs. 25,000, not Rs. 30,000.
On 17 February 2026, the Jammu and Kashmir government informed the Legislative Assembly that a committee constituted in 2023 had recommended increasing the stipend for MBBS and BDS interns from Rs. 12,300 to Rs. 25,000 a month.
The committee was constituted through Government Order No. 538-JK(HME) of 2023 dated 27 June 2023, under the chairmanship of the Director Finance, Health and Medical Education Department.
The Assembly material also referred to a question asking whether the committee had recommended an increase to Rs. 26,350. The government's response clarified that the committee's recommendation was Rs. 25,000 per month.
That distinction matters.
Rs. 25,000 was the committee's formal recommendation. It was not an already approved or implemented stipend.
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Why Has The Rs. 25,000 Hike Not Been Implemented?
The proposal required financial concurrence before a formal order could be issued.
According to the government's February response, the committee's recommendation was examined by the Health and Medical Education Department and forwarded to the Finance Department.
The Finance Department sought additional information and clarifications, which were obtained from the concerned medical colleges before the proposal was resubmitted.
As of the latest statements from the government, the revised stipend has still not been formally notified.
That gap between a recommendation and an implemented order is a major reason the issue has resurfaced in the current protest.
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Why Are Interns Still Unhappy?
For the protesting interns, the issue is no longer simply whether the government recognises the need for a stipend revision.
They say the matter has been under consideration for years and that they now want a concrete decision.
Some protesters have also referred to figures around Rs. 26,300 or Rs. 26,350 in connection with the 2026 Assembly proceedings.
However, the government's formal clarification was that the committee had recommended Rs. 25,000. The higher figure should therefore not be described as the committee's approved recommendation.
The interns are now seeking Rs. 30,000.
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What Has Health Minister Sakina Itoo Said?
On 31 August, Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo said the interns' demand was genuine and that the government had already processed the matter.
She said the file had been sent to the Finance Department for examination of its financial implications.
Itoo also questioned the decision to strike, saying disruption of intern duties could affect patient care.
The government's position, therefore, is not that the demand has been rejected. Rather, the proposal remains under consideration and requires the necessary financial process before a formal order can be issued.
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Has The Strike Affected Hospital Services?
Reports have indicated an impact on hospital services following the interns' withdrawal from routine duties.
The interns have said they would continue attending to emergency cases while staying away from routine duties. However, the exact extent of disruption can vary between hospitals and services.
The issue has consequently raised concerns about the effect of the strike on patient care, alongside the interns' demand for a revised stipend.
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What Happens Next?
The interns have continued their protest into September, with candle marches and demonstrations reported at several medical institutions on 1 September. Some representatives have warned that they could escalate the protest if the issue is not resolved.
The demand has also received political support.
J&K Pradesh Congress chief Tariq Hameed Karra wrote to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah seeking an increase in the stipend. PDP leader Iltija Mufti also visited protesting interns at Government Medical College Srinagar on 1 September and backed their demand for Rs. 30,000.
For now, the central issue is clear: the government has acknowledged the demand and previously received a committee recommendation for Rs. 25,000, but the revised stipend has not yet been formally implemented.
The interns, meanwhile, are seeking Rs. 30,000 and have said they will continue their indefinite strike until there is a concrete government decision.
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TL;DR | News At a Glance
Why are J&K medical interns on strike?
MBBS and BDS interns are demanding that their monthly stipend be increased from Rs. 12,300 to Rs. 30,000.
When did the indefinite strike begin?
The strike began on 31 August 2026 across government medical colleges and hospitals in Jammu and Kashmir.
Did the government recommend a stipend hike?
Yes. A committee constituted in 2023 recommended increasing the stipend to Rs. 25,000 a month. The recommendation had not been formally implemented.
What has the government said now?
Health Minister Sakina Itoo has said the interns' demand is genuine and that the proposal has been sent to the Finance Department for examination of its financial implications.
What are the interns demanding before ending the strike?
The protesting interns have said they want a formal government order revising the stipend rather than another assurance.
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