In the wake of the Supreme Court’s strong remarks over the non-payment of stipends to MBBS interns, the Union Health Ministry has instructed the National Medical Commission (NMC) to take prompt action on the matter.
The directive follows a representation made by health activist Dr. K.V. Babu to Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava on November 3, referring to the Supreme Court’s order dated October 28, 2025. The Court had expressed serious concern that, despite the NMC’s earlier request for colleges to submit details of stipends paid to interns, no concrete action had been taken against defaulting institutions.
In its order, the Apex Court observed that it “expects the NMC to wake up from its slumber” and take the necessary measures outlined in its notice dated July 11, 2025, before the next hearing. The Commission was also directed to submit an affidavit listing all medical colleges that have provided stipend-related details.
In the July 2025 notice, the NMC had cautioned that failure to submit stipend information would invite regulatory action under Regulations 30 and 31 of the Establishment of Medical Institutions, Assessment and Rating Regulations, 2023, as well as Regulations 9.1 and 9.2 of the PGIMER Regulations, 2023.
Responding to the Supreme Court’s observations, the Health Ministry has now written to NMC Secretary Dr. Raghav Langer, instructing the Commission to “examine the subject matter and take appropriate action.”
Dr. Babu stated, “I informed the Health Ministry about the Supreme Court’s order directing the Secretary (Health) to ensure that the NMC acts in line with its July 2025 notice, which warns that non-compliance could lead to show-cause notices, financial penalties, withdrawal of course recognition, or suspension of admissions. The Ministry has promptly forwarded my communication to the NMC for necessary action.”
NMC’s Earlier Directives to Medical Colleges
On July 11, 2025, the NMC had directed all medical colleges and institutions under its jurisdiction to publicly display their course-wise fee structures and stipend details for interns, junior residents, and senior residents on their official websites. To facilitate uniform monitoring, the Commission had also introduced a Google Form for institutions to submit the required information.
The NMC had observed that while some colleges shared this data through the Intra-MCC portal, the information was often incomplete. The Commission warned that non-compliance with these transparency requirements would attract regulatory measures.
In November 2024, the NMC had issued show-cause notices to 198 medical colleges for failing to upload stipend details, emphasizing that the issue was being treated with utmost seriousness.
Supreme Court’s Observations
The ongoing issue stems from allegations that around 70% of medical colleges across India do not pay stipends to MBBS interns. Earlier, in a judgment dated April 29, 2025 (State of Uttar Pradesh & Ors. vs. Miss Bhavna Towari & Ors.), the Supreme Court mandated that all private and deemed universities must disclose complete details regarding tuition fees, hostel charges, caution deposits, and other miscellaneous costs before counselling.
On October 28, 2025, the Court again came down heavily on the NMC for failing to enforce its July directive requiring colleges to disclose stipend information. The bench granted the Commission two weeks to submit a compliance affidavit detailing the steps taken and the list of institutions that have furnished stipend data.
