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Jammu and Kashmir medical intern strike escalates

Updated 5 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-04 13:22 UTC → 2026-09-07 06:43 UTC · added removed

Indian Jammu and Kashmir medical intern stipend disputes strike escalates

Medical interns in various Indian regions continue to seek increased monthly stipends. In Uttar Pradesh, the state Cabinet approved a hike for MBBS and BDS interns at government medical colleges, raising the monthly stipend from Rs 12,000 to Rs 25,000 following protests at institutions such as King George’s Medical University and BRD Medical College. In Jammu and Kashmir, the situation has escalated into an indefinite strike by MBBS and BDS interns across several government medical colleges and hospitals, including GMC Jammu, GMC Srinagar, GMC Anantnag, GMC Baramulla, GMC Handwara, and SKIMS Bemina. Protesters are demanding that their monthly stipend be increased from Rs 12,300—a rate they state has been stagnant since 2019—to Rs 30,000. They have cited heavy workloads and the rising cost of living, noting that stipends in other Indian states can reach between Rs 43,000 and Rs 44,000. The strike has begun to impact clinical services, specifically affecting emergency rooms, wards, and outpatient departments (OPDs). While the demonstrations have remained peaceful, interns Kashmir have stated they will refrain from clinical duties until escalated their demands are met. Jammu and Kashmir Health Minister Sakina Ittoo has acknowledged that the demand for a stipend hike is “legitimate.” As the indefinite strike continues, following failed negotiations between interns and with Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Ittoo have failed to end the agitation. Although Ittoo. While Minister Ittoo described has characterized the demands demand to increase monthly stipends from Rs 12,300 to Rs 30,000 as “genuine” and provided verbal assurances that noted the issue would be resolved within a month, proposal is with the Finance Department, interns have refused refuse to resume clinical duties without a formal written commitment. The Minister noted that the proposal is currently Protests have intensified, with interns from the Finance Department, but Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) in Bemina launching a hunger strike. The protesters maintain that verbal assurances are insisting on formal documentation insufficient to prevent further administrative delays. Amidst the escalation, Srinagar MP Ruhullah Mehdi has criticized the administration, alleging that government medical college principals are attempting to coerce interns into ending the strike. Mehdi highlighted a discrepancy between the Health Minister’s stance and reports that institutional heads are warning interns of consequences for continuing their agitation. Minister Ittoo also has previously accused opposition parties of showing “false sympathy” and politicizing the strike. situation.

Versions

  1. 2026-09-07 06:43 UTC Jammu and Kashmir medical intern strike escalates
  2. 2026-09-04 13:22 UTC Indian medical intern stipend disputes
  3. 2026-09-03 02:04 UTC Indian medical intern stipend disputes
  4. 2026-08-31 20:33 UTC Indian medical intern stipend disputes
  5. 2026-08-31 09:45 UTC Indian medical intern stipend disputes
  6. 2026-08-29 12:01 UTC Indian medical intern stipend disputes

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