Telangana FMG trainees seek stipend parity and threaten protest

Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) working in Telangana’s Jayashankar Bhupalpally district are protesting demanding equal stipend. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

Foreign medical graduates (FMGs) undergoing compulsory rotational medical internship (CRMI) in government hospitals across Telangana have alleged disparities in the payment of stipends, with some receiving no stipend and others receiving only ₹5,000 per 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.

The trainees requested a Government Order (GO) or official circular ensuring parity with other medical trainees, citing National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines and relevant legal and state orders. They said the disparity made it difficult for many of them to cover basic expenses.

FMGs complete their medical education abroad and must qualify the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE), a mandatory licensing exam for those who wish to practice in India after obtaining their degrees overseas. They are then required to complete a mandatory rotational medical internship in India.

The interns said they have been raising the issue of scholarships to the authorities for the past four to five years but have not yet received a satisfactory solution.

According to their statement, they submitted the statement to the Chief Inspectors of their respective government hospitals. They met officials on September 23 and submitted a statement along with supporting documents. They also submitted statements and documents to the respective District Collectors.

As part of the protest, interns plan to collectively abstain from emergency and accident duties from October 11 to 13, in accordance with current rules and necessary patient care measures. If the issue remains unresolved, they said they will stage a peaceful protest at the office of the Director of Medical Education from October 14 and demand a clear written order or circular on stipend parity.

Published – 11 Oct 2026 20:18 IST