NMC Stipend Rules 2026: Mandatory Stipend for MBBS Interns

The National Medical Commission (NMC) is India’s apex regulatory authority for medical education and practice. One of the most significant ongoing developments in medical education regulation is the enforcement of stipend payment rules for MBBS interns and resident doctors across all medical colleges — government, private, and deemed. Stipends are intended to recognize the clinical service that interns and residents provide during their training. The rules are designed to ensure fair compensation, transparency, and accountability while protecting medical trainees from exploitation.

Despite the clear regulatory framework and strong judicial interest, enforcement remains a complex challenge. This blog provides a thorough examination of the evolving NMC stipend rules as of 2026, the legal background, stipend parity issues, regulatory mandates, reporting requirements, penalties for non-compliance, and practical implications for students and institutions.

1. What Are Stipend Rules Under NMC Regulations?

Stipend rules refer to the regulatory provisions that compel medical colleges to pay a monthly stipend to MBBS interns (during the Compulsory Rotatory Medical Internship or CRMI) and resident doctors (such as Junior Residents and Senior Residents). The aim is to compensate medical trainees for their service in clinical duties, emergency care, patient management, rounds, and other hospital responsibilities throughout their internship and residency period. The stipend is not a salary, but a statutory entitlement under the medical education regulatory framework.

Under regulations such as the Compulsory Rotatory Medical Internship (CRMI) Regulations, 2021 and the Post-Graduate Medical Education Regulations (PGMER), 2023, medical institutions are required to pay stipends as determined by the appropriate authority applicable to the state, institution, or university concerned.

2. Legal Background: Supreme Court Landmark Cases

The issue of stipend payment has reached the Supreme Court of India, which has repeatedly highlighted the importance of stipend payment and transparency in disclosures:

In the case Abhishek Yadav & Ors vs. Army College of Medical Sciences & Ors., the Supreme Court emphasized that non-payment of stipends is not just unethical but unlawful. The Court also directed medical colleges to comply with stipend mandates and provide detailed information on stipend payments.
The Court has also compelled the NMC to file compliance affidavits and data showing how many colleges pay stipends and in what amounts.

Despite these judicial directives, many institutions continue to delay compliance, and enforcement remains uneven.

3. Regulatory Framework Mandating Stipends

There are several regulations under the NMC that form the backbone of stipend mandates:

a. CRMI Regulations, 2021

Under the Compulsory Rotatory Medical Internship Regulations, stipends are required to be paid to MBBS interns. The amount is fixed by the “appropriate authority” — which could be a state government, university, or institutional governing body.

b. PGMER, 2023

The Post-Graduate Medical Education Regulations 2023 clearly state that postgraduate students (including Junior Residents and Senior Residents) must be paid stipends at par with the stipend paid in state government medical colleges in the state or union territory where the institution is located.

c. Fee & Stipend Disclosure Regulations

NMC regulations now require all medical colleges to publish their full course-wise fee structure and stipend details on official websites and to submit this information to NMC through designated forms. Non-disclosure can result in seats not being counted for counselling and other penalties.

4. Who Qualifies for Stipend? (Interns and Residents)

MBBS Interns (CRMI)

Internship (CRMI) is a 12-month compulsory phase that every medical graduate must complete after their 4.5 years of academic MBBS coursework. It is required for NMC registration, future practice, and eligibility for postgraduate entrance exams like NEET PG. The stipend during internship must be paid as mandated by applicable authorities and is typically aligned with what state government colleges offer.

Resident Doctors (Junior and Senior Residents)

Residents — including Junior Residents (after MBBS) and Senior Residents (postgraduate trainees) — are also entitled to stipends. According to PGMER 2023 (Section 5.4), residents must be paid stipends equal to those paid in government institutions in the same state.

5. How Is Stipend Amount Decided?

Unlike a centrally fixed national stipend, the NMC framework allows the stipend amount to be determined by local authorities, such as:

State governments
Universities or state medical councils
Institutional governing bodies

The basic concept is parity — private and deemed medical colleges must pay stipends that match the rates paid by state government medical colleges within the same state or territory. For resident doctors, this parity is explicitly mentioned under the PGMER 2023.

There is also a growing push, including a directive from the Union Health Ministry, to ensure equal stipend for interns across government and private colleges within a state. This directive aims to amend CRMI Regulations to match the explicit wording of PGMER 2023 for enhanced consistency.

6. Transparency and Reporting Requirements

In July 2025, the NMC issued a public directive requiring all medical colleges to publish full fee structures and stipend details on their official websites and in the seat matrix. This includes information on:

MBBS internship stipends
Stipends for Junior Residents
Stipends for Senior Residents

Colleges must also submit this data to NMC via a Google Form within a specified timeline. Incomplete or non-compliant disclosures may lead to regulatory action.

This requirement aligns with Supreme Court directives seeking to eliminate hidden charges and non-payment practices in medical education.

7. Penalties for Non-Compliance

The NMC’s regulatory framework allows it to take action against institutions that fail to comply with stipend mandates or transparency requirements. Penalties may include:

Show-cause notices
Financial penalties
Suspension of admissions
Withdrawal of course recognition
In extreme cases, fines of up to ₹1 crore per violation under the Maintenance of Standards of Medical Education Regulations, 2023.

However, enforcement has been inconsistent. Recent news reports highlight that many colleges have still not submitted stipend payment data, and the NMC has issued only fines such as ₹50,000 — far lower than the ceiling permitted by regulations.

8. Current Challenges and Enforcement Gaps

Despite strong rules on paper, enforcement of stipend payment remains a major challenge:

a. Non-Compliance by Colleges

Hundreds of medical colleges across India, especially private institutions, either do not pay stipends or pay very low amounts, far below what government colleges provide. Many still have not submitted data to NMC.

b. Weak Enforcement Actions

Critics argue that the NMC’s actions — such as setting low penalties — fail to enforce compliance meaningfully. Although the law allows high fines and suspension of seats, such penalties are rarely applied.

c. Supreme Court Criticism

The Supreme Court has strongly criticized the NMC for failing to enforce stipend rules effectively and has demanded comprehensive data and action plans from the Commission.

9. Interns’ Rights: Fees vs. Interns Stipends

Medical colleges must not charge illegal internship fees or require students to pay for training that they are completing as part of the compulsory internship. The Supreme Court has ruled that charging internship fees is contrary to fair practice, and stipend non-payment is unlawful.

Additionally, a Kerala High Court ruling held that internship fee orders were invalid, reiterating that NMC policy forbids such fees and guarantees stipends.

10. Exceptions and Leave-Related Rules

According to available regulatory interpretations:

Stipends are paid only for the official 52-week internship duration.
Maternity and medical leave may be exceptions where stipend is still paid.
Unapproved extended internship beyond 52 weeks usually does not attract additional stipend unless specific conditions are met.

11. Why Stipend Parity Matters

Stipend parity matters for several key reasons:

Ensures financial stability for trainees doing demanding clinical work.
Prevents exploitation by private or niche institutes.
Reduces disparity in living conditions for interns and residents.
Improves morale and academic focus among medical trainees.

The Health Ministry’s push to amend CRMI Regulations for uniform stipend across institutions reflects the underlying need for justice and equality in medical training conditions.

12. Practical Implications for Students and Institutions

For MBBS Students and Interns

Always check stipend details on the medical college website before admission.
Keep a record of stipend payments and check if they match state government rates.
Report discrepancies to NMC, state authorities, or legal bodies if necessary.

For Resident Doctors

Verify stipend parity, especially if joining a private or deemed institute.
Pay attention to PGMER 2023 provisions guaranteeing parity with government institution stipends.

For Medical Colleges

Ensure transparent disclosure of fee and stipend information as mandated.
Prepare comprehensive monthly and annual stipend reports.
Compliance helps avoid regulatory action, including seat suspension or derecognition.

1. What are the NMC stipend rules for 2026?

The NMC stipend rules for 2026 mandate that all medical colleges in India, including government, private, and deemed universities, must pay monthly stipends to MBBS interns and resident doctors. These rules are framed under the Compulsory Rotatory Medical Internship Regulations and Postgraduate Medical Education Regulations. The objective is to ensure fair compensation for clinical services provided by trainees. Medical colleges must disclose stipend details publicly and follow parity with state government rates wherever applicable.

2. Is stipend compulsory for MBBS interns under NMC rules?

Yes, stipend payment is compulsory for MBBS interns under NMC regulations. Internship is a mandatory training period during which interns work in hospital wards, emergency departments, and outpatient services. Since interns provide real medical services under supervision, NMC requires institutions to pay them a stipend. The amount is determined by the state government or appropriate authority. Non-payment of stipend is considered a violation of regulations and may attract penalties for medical colleges.

3. Are private medical colleges required to pay stipends?

Private medical colleges are also legally required to pay stipends to MBBS interns and resident doctors. NMC regulations do not allow discrimination between government and private institutions regarding stipend payment. In many states, private colleges must match the stipend paid by government medical colleges in the same state. Failure to pay stipend or paying significantly lower amounts can result in show-cause notices, financial penalties, or even suspension of admissions by regulatory authorities.

4. How is the stipend amount decided for interns and residents?

The stipend amount is generally fixed by the state government or university authority where the medical college is located. For postgraduate residents, NMC rules require parity with stipends paid in state government medical colleges. For MBBS interns, the stipend is decided by the appropriate authority but usually follows state government norms. The intention is to maintain uniformity within a state and prevent exploitation of interns and residents working long hospital hours.

5. What happens if a medical college does not pay stipend?

If a medical college does not pay stipend, it is considered non-compliance with NMC regulations. The NMC can issue show-cause notices, impose monetary penalties, reduce sanctioned seats, or withdraw recognition in severe cases. The Supreme Court has also criticized non-payment practices and directed strict enforcement. Students can report such violations to NMC or state authorities. Continuous violations may lead to suspension of admissions for the concerned institution.

6. Do resident doctors also come under NMC stipend rules?

Yes, resident doctors, including Junior Residents and Senior Residents, are fully covered under NMC stipend rules. According to Postgraduate Medical Education Regulations, resident doctors must be paid stipends equivalent to what government medical colleges pay in the same state. They perform major clinical duties, including patient care, ward rounds, and emergency services. Denying stipend to residents is considered unlawful and against the standards of medical education set by the NMC.

7. Are medical colleges required to disclose stipend details publicly?

Yes, NMC has made it mandatory for medical colleges to disclose stipend details on their official websites. Colleges must publish course-wise fees and stipend structures for MBBS interns and resident doctors. This information must also be submitted to NMC in prescribed formats. The aim is to promote transparency and allow students to make informed decisions before admission. Non-disclosure of stipend data may attract regulatory action from the NMC.

8. Can a college charge internship fees instead of paying stipend?

No, medical colleges are not permitted to charge internship fees in place of paying stipend. Internship is a compulsory part of MBBS training, and interns are entitled to receive stipend during this period. Charging internship fees while making interns work in hospitals is against regulatory principles and judicial observations. Courts have clearly stated that internship training should not be treated as a paid service by students but as compensated clinical training.

9. Does stipend continue during leave or extended internship?

Stipend is normally paid for the standard twelve-month internship period. Approved leaves such as medical leave or maternity leave may still be eligible for stipend as per institutional policies. However, if an internship is extended due to shortage of attendance or academic issues, stipend may not be paid for the extended period unless specifically allowed. The exact policy depends on state government rules and institutional guidelines approved by regulatory authorities.

10. Why are NMC stipend rules important for medical students?

NMC stipend rules are important because they protect medical students and resident doctors from financial exploitation. Interns and residents work long hours in hospitals and contribute significantly to patient care. Stipend ensures basic financial support for food, accommodation, and daily needs. Uniform rules also promote fairness between government and private institutions. These regulations uphold dignity in medical training and encourage students to focus on learning without undue financial stress.

Conclusion

The NMC Interns stipend rules as of 2026 reflect a critical regulatory push to ensure fair compensation and transparency in India’s medical education system. Although significant regulatory and judicial backing exists, actual compliance and enforcement remain works in progress. Interns, Junior Residents, and Senior Residents are legally entitled to stipends, and medical colleges — whether government, private, or deemed — must adhere to these obligations.

With continuing Supreme Court oversight and fresh directives from the Health Ministry, it is likely that stipend parity and effective enforcement will grow stronger in the coming years. For medical students and professional doctors in training, understanding these rules is crucial to protecting their rights and ensuring dignity in the vital work they perform.

NMC Stipend Rules 2026: Mandatory Stipend for MBBS Interns and Resident Doctors (Complete Guide)

1. What Are Stipend Rules Under NMC Regulations?

2. Legal Background: Supreme Court Landmark Cases