UP government doubles MBBS, BDS intern stipend to Rs 25,000; 3,928 interns to benefit

UP government doubles MBBS, BDS intern stipend to Rs 25,000; 3,928 interns to benefit

The Uttar Pradesh government has increased the monthly stipend for MBBS and BDS graduates undergoing mandatory rotatory internship from Rs 12,000 to Rs 25,000. The decision was approved by the state Cabinet on August 25, 2026, at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.The revised stipend will apply to interns at government medical colleges, state-run medical institutions and medical universities. Around 3,928 clinical interns across the state are expected to benefit from the decision. The increase represents a rise of more than 108 per cent over the previous monthly stipend.Stipend revised for government medical and dental internsThe increase covers MBBS and BDS graduates completing their compulsory rotating internship. Interns undertake clinical duties in government hospitals, including work in outpatient departments, emergency services and wards. Their responsibilities can also include night duties, patient care and emergency triage.The revised stipend will cover eligible interns associated with 48 government medical colleges, state-run medical institutions and autonomous medical universities across Uttar Pradesh.The Cabinet decision specifically concerns interns in the government sector. Private medical and dental colleges are subject to separate stipend requirements under National Medical Commission regulations.Uttar Pradesh stipend increased for second timeThe latest increase is the second revision under the current state administration. The monthly stipend was Rs 7,500 before the 2021 revision, when it was increased to Rs 12,000. It has now been raised to Rs 25,000.

The decision follows months of demands from medical students for a higher stipend. Students at institutions including King George’s Medical University in Lucknow had organised demonstrations and hunger strikes.Medical student groups had pointed to the earlier Rs 12,000 monthly payment as roughly Rs 400 a day. They also cited expenses related to food, commuting and postings at healthcare centres located away from their parent institutions.Revised stipend compared with other statesMedical student bodies had sought a monthly stipend of Rs 30,000. The revised Uttar Pradesh amount remains below the figures cited for some neighbouring and other states.Bihar provides Rs 27,000 per month to medical interns, while West Bengal provides Rs 28,000 and Karnataka Rs 30,000.Interns at Central Government institutions, including AIIMS and other central hospitals, currently receive Rs 30,070 per month. The Union Health Ministry is also reviewing a proposal concerning central internship stipends, with the existing rates having remained unchanged since January 2022.Other student welfare decisionsThe stipend decision was among 24 proposals approved during the August 25 Cabinet meeting.The government also approved the procurement and distribution of 25 lakh free digital tablets to eligible higher-education students under the Swami Vivekananda Youth Empowerment Scheme.Another decision approved lifelong free travel on UPSRTC buses for women aged 60 and above.(With inputs from agencies)