Supreme Court Orders Medical Stipend to Foreign Medical Graduates at Par With Indian Graduates

Feb 10, 2026

In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court of India has ruled that Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) are entitled to receive internship stipends at the same rate as Indian medical graduates. The order marks a significant victory for Indian students who pursue medical education abroad and return to India for compulsory internship training.

Background of the Case

Foreign Medical Graduates are Indian citizens who complete their undergraduate medical degrees (MBBS or equivalent) from recognized foreign universities in countries such as Kazakhstan, Russia, the Philippines, and China. Upon returning to India, they must pass the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) and complete a one-year internship in Indian medical institutes as stipulated by the National Medical Commission (NMC).

However, many FMGs were historically denied internship stipends or received lower payments than their Indian counterparts despite performing identical duties in hospitals during their internships. This prompted multiple petitions in the Supreme Court arguing that such discrimination violated the Constitutional principle of equality.

What the Supreme Court Ordered

The Supreme Court Bench, led by Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice Prasanna B. Varale, ruled that FMGs must be granted stipends at par with Indian medical graduates for the duration of their internships. The key points of the judgment include:

• FMGs are legally entitled to receive the same monthly stipend paid to Indian medical graduates during internship — currently around ₹26,300 per month.
• The bench clarified that no discrimination can be based on whether a person’s medical degree was obtained abroad, as long as it is duly recognized in India and regulatory requirements (like FMGE clearance) are met.
• Institutions and state authorities were directed to pay all pending stipend differences within three weeks from the date of the order.
• The Court reaffirmed that mere procedural concerns — such as the lack of explicit UGC permission — cannot be used to withhold stipends, citing previous rulings that protected institutions complying with stipend directives from regulatory repercussions.

Why This Judgment Matters

This ruling is a major boost for FMGs who invest significant time, effort, and finances in studying medicine abroad, often returning to India to complete the mandatory internship requirement. Receiving equal stipends helps:

• Ease financial burden on overseas students who often face higher costs during training abroad.
• Ensure parity and fairness in medical education and training systems.
• Encourage more students to pursue medical education abroad without fear of discrimination.

Reaction From Students and Legal Experts

Legal experts have welcomed the judgement as a reinforcement of the constitutional right to equality (Article 14). Students and alumni associations of foreign medical graduate communities also hailed the decision, saying it rectifies long-standing disparities in how internships are financially recognised.

What Happens Next?

Medical colleges, state governments, and administrative authorities are now under clear judicial mandate to implement the Supreme Court’s order effectively. Failure to comply within the stipulated timeframe may invite further legal action.

Institutional compliance and stipend disbursement progress will likely shape future reform discussions on how FMGs are integrated into India’s healthcare workforce. This decision may also influence policies on postgraduate medical seat eligibility and professional development for FMGs.