The Omar Abdullah government on Wednesday moved to placate agitating medical interns by more than doubling their monthly stipend to ₹25,000, the development following renewed protests over a delay in honouring an earlier assurance.
The decision has ended the agonising three-year wait for doctors who were paid a pittance despite long work hours. They said the recommendations for a stipend hike were made in 2023.
Medical interns in Jammu and Kashmir had resumed their protests on Tuesday, accusing the government of failing to honour its written assurance on September 8 to increase their stipend within a month.
Government sources said the stipend-hike order was expected on Tuesday but was delayed because it was an official holiday.
The MBBS and BDS interns were pushing for a stipend hike from ₹12,300 to ₹30,000 a month.
“Sanction is hereby accorded to the enhancement of the monthly stipend payable to MBBD/BDS interns, including foreign medical graduates, from Rs 12,300 to Rs 25,000 per month with effect from October 1, 2026,” Saugat Biswas, commissioner secretary in the health and medical education department, said in an order.
The order was shared by the ruling National Conference on its social media handles.
Chief minister Omar Abdullah’s office, in a post on X, said the government had “in a significant decision” formally “notified the enhancement of the monthly stipend for MBBS/BDS interns, including Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs), from ₹12,300 to ₹25,000, effective October 1, 2026”.
“Recognising the vital contribution of young medical professionals to J&K’s healthcare system, the decision provides much-needed financial support while acknowledging their dedication and commitment to patient care,” it said.
The protesting doctors appeared divided in their response to the announcement.
Dr Mohammad Momin Khan, president (Jammu and Kashmir) of the All India Medical Students Association, welcomed the order and congratulated the interns on the hike. “We extend heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported our interns especially,” he said.
Dr Khan said their focus would now shift to a hike in stipend for PG residents, which include MS and MD. “If states like Uttar Pradesh and Delhi are paying PG doctors over ₹1 lakh, why not Jammu and Kashmir? Our government should now focus on post-graduate students,” he said.
Dr Mohammad Tasaduq, joint secretary of the Jammu and Kashmir chapter of the All India Medical Students Association, said they had seen the order shared by the NC on X but would wait for official confirmation before calling off their protests.
He said around 1,600 interns across all medical colleges in Jammu and Kashmir had struck work.
The interns had called off their earlier agitation after nine days on September 8 following the government’s promise to resolve the matter within a month.