64 MBBS interns from the Chalmeda Anand Rao Institute of Medical Sciences (CAIMS) in Karimnagar, Telangana, are on protest over non-payment of government-mandated stipends. They have been suspended too for a week.
The interns, who began their protest more than two months ago, were officially suspended for a week starting July 3, following demonstrations on campus on July 1. The college alleges that students “blocked vehicles and disrupted operations,” while the interns claim they were penalized merely for exercising their right to protest against a long-standing injustice.
“If protesting is wrong, why doesn’t the college first comply with the Government Order and transfer our stipends?” asked one of the suspended interns, speaking anonymously.
Violation of Government Orders
According to a 2023 Government Order (GO) issued by the Telangana State Health Department, all MBBS interns, whether in government or private colleges, must be paid a monthly stipend of ₹25,906. A revised GO issued on June 28, 2025, further raised this amount to ₹29,792 to adjust for inflation and workload.
| NEET UG Counselling Guide 2025 | |
|---|---|
| State-wise MBBS/BDS Counselling Guide eBook 2025 | 📥 Download |
| MCC NEET UG Counselling Guide eBook 2025 | 📥 Download |
| AACCC AYUSH NEET Counselling Guide eBook 2025 | 📥 Download |
However, interns at CAIMS allege that they have been paid only ₹2,000 per month, in complete violation of these directives.
Join NEET News 2025 “Not only are they underpaying us, but they’re also threatening stricter duties once we return from suspension. We feel completely unprotected,” said another intern.
Systemic Issue Across Private Colleges
The issue isn’t isolated to CAIMS. According to the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA), at least 23 private medical colleges in Telangana are either underpaying or not paying stipends at all.
Federation of All India Medical Associations (FAIMA) is a national body for Resident Doctors’ Associations in India.
In a letter addressed to the Chairman of the National Medical Commission (NMC), FAIMA stated:
“Despite clear mandates from the state government and NMC, private colleges continue to exploit interns. Some institutions even collect ₹5,000 annually as a so-called ‘stipend processing fee’ and pay back just ₹2,000 monthly. This is unacceptable.”
Academic Harassment & Completion Threats
One of the interns revealed that students are now under threat of academic harassment, including withholding of completion certificates, delays in final logbook evaluations, and retaliatory duty assignments post-suspension.
“We’ve already lost two months of stipend. Now they’re threatening us with harsher shifts as ‘punishment’. This is institutional bullying,” said a female intern.
FAIMA has also urged the NMC to ensure that no participating intern is denied academic progression, as per the NMC’s ethics and student protection guidelines.
FAIMA Demands NMC Action
FAIMA’s letter includes the following demands:
- Immediate NMC-led inquiry into the events at CAIMS on July 1.
- Action against college administrators involved in the suspension order.
- State-wide audit of stipend disbursal in private medical colleges.
- Mandatory compliance with GO 2023 and GO 2025 stipend revisions.
As the suspension continues and stipend dues pile up, and with thousands of future doctors watching, the medical education system faces a critical question: Will regulatory authorities act swiftly to protect students or allow private colleges to continue unchecked exploitation?
