Revised stipend effective from October 1; foreign medical graduates also covered
Srinagar, Oct 21: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday issued a formal order enhancing the monthly stipend of MBBS and BDS interns, including Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs), from Rs 12,300 to Rs 25,000, bringing an end to uncertainty over the implementation of the long-pending revision.
The order comes a day after Kashmir News Service (KNS) exclusively reported that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had approved the stipend enhancement, while the formal government order was awaited.
According to Government Order No. 747-JK(HME) of 2026, issued by the Health and Medical Education Department on October 21, the revised stipend will take effect retrospectively from October 1, 2026.
“Sanction is hereby accorded to the enhancement of the monthly stipend payable to MBBS/BDS interns, including Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs), in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, from ?12,300 to ?25,000 per month, with effect from 01.10.2026,” the order reads.
The revision represents an increase of Rs 12,700 per month, or approximately 103.25 per cent, over the previous stipend.
The order has been issued following concurrence from the Finance Department, conveyed through U.O. No. FD-Code/69/2026-AO-1068 dated October 20, 2026.
Despite welcoming the Chief Minister’s approval on Tuesday, the protesting interns had announced that their indefinite strike would continue until a formal government order was issued.
The interns had cited previous assurances and delays in implementation as reasons for continuing their protest despite the announcement of approval.
With the issuance of Wednesday’s order, the principal demand for a formal notification has been met.
The order also explicitly includes Foreign Medical Graduates undergoing internships in Jammu and Kashmir, extending the revised stipend to them.
Earlier reported on October 20 that the Chief Minister had approved the increase from Rs 12,300 to Rs 25,000 and that the formal order was expected to follow.
The interns’ decision on withdrawing their indefinite strike following the issuance of the order was not immediately available.
