Srinagar, Sep 14: The Jammu and Kashmir Medical Students Association (JKMSA) on Monday sought revision of stipends for postgraduate (PG) residents and remuneration of senior residents working in government medical institutions across J&K, citing a significant gap with leading medical institutions in the country.
In a representation to the Minister for Health and Medical Education, the association extended its support to the demands raised by Resident Doctors Associations (RDAs) of Jammu and other institutions, calling for a “comprehensive, rational and time-bound” revision of the existing remuneration structure.
The JKMSA said PG and senior residents form the backbone of patient care and clinical training and routinely provide services in emergency and casualty departments, OPDs, inpatient wards, ICUs, operating theatres, labour rooms and speciality services.
According to the association, PG residents also undertake night duties, on-call services, procedures, emergency interventions, peri-operative care, clinical documentation, teaching and supervision.
The representation highlighted remuneration disparities between J&K institutions and major government and apex medical institutions.
It cited PG resident stipends at the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) at approximately Rs 80,000 per month in the first year, Rs 85,000 in the second year and Rs 88,000–Rs 90,000 in the third year, while senior residents receive around Rs 1.30 lakh or more per month.
The association said senior resident remuneration at AIIMS Jammu is approximately Rs 1.40 lakh or more per month, while PG residents at Government Medical College, Chandigarh, receive more than Rs 1 lakh per month, with senior residents getting around Rs 1.40–Rs 1.50 lakh.
In comparison, the JKMSA listed the current remuneration at Government Medical College Jammu as Rs 64,000 per month for first-year PG residents, Rs 68,000 for second-year residents and Rs 72,000 for third-year residents, while senior residents receive Rs 94,000 per month.
The association said the figures reflect a substantial remuneration differential and warranted an immediate review.
The JKMSA also referred to the Post-Graduate Medical Education Regulations (PGMER), 2023, notified by National Medical Commission (NMC), particularly Regulation 5.4, which provides for parity in stipends for postgraduate students with those being paid to PG students of State/Central Government medical institutions in the State or Union Territory where the institution is located.
It urged the government to undertake a comprehensive assessment of PG stipends across GMC Jammu, GMC Srinagar, SKIMS, AIIMS Jammu and other government medical institutions in J&K and rectify disparities in accordance with applicable NMC requirements.
The association said a revision would not only address resident welfare and equitable remuneration but would also help in recruitment and retention of qualified doctors, strengthen postgraduate medical education and ensure uninterrupted patient care.
The JKMSA requested the government to formally review the applicable official orders and pay structures while taking a time-bound decision on the issue.
