Rajasthan Medical Colleges Face FMG Stipend Approval Delay, Says RajMES

Rajasthan update: RajMES says state has not approved stipends for foreign medical graduates

Summary of RajMES communication

The Rajasthan Medical Education Society (RajMES) has informed medical college principals that the State Government has not approved payment of stipends to foreign medical graduates (FMGs) undertaking internships in RajMES-run institutions. The clarification was issued in a letter dated 01.11.2025 from the Director of RajMES addressed to principals of medical colleges in Jhalawar, Bharatpur, Bhilwara, Barmer, Churu, Dungarpur, Pali, Sikar, Alwar, Karauli, Bundi, Chittorgarh, Sriganganagar, Dausa, Sirohi, Dholpur, Hanumangarh, Bara, Nagaur, Sawai Madhopur, Banswara and Jhunjhunu.

RajMES cited a communication from the Finance (Rules) Department (ID No. 212500597) dated 10.09.2025, stating that the Finance Department has not granted permission for payment of stipends to FMGs in the medical colleges operated under RajMES. The RajMES letter incorporated the Finance Department’s position and conveyed that the comment has been approved at the competent level within the Finance Department.

What the Finance (Rules) Department communicated

According to the Finance Department communication referenced by RajMES, an administrative comment recorded that, while the Department had expressed a view regarding not charging the prescribed internship fee from foreign medical graduates who meet conditions mentioned in the National Medical Commission (NMC) circular dated 04.03.2022, and considered payment of stipend as per rules, such stipend could be given only up to a maximum of 7.5 percent of permitted seats in medical colleges. Despite this administrative input, the Finance Department has not granted consent to payment of stipends to FMGs in RajMES-operated medical colleges, and the department’s decision remains unchanged despite periodic submissions from the Administrative Department.

Current situation for FMG interns in RajMES colleges

Immediate consequences

As a direct result of the Finance Department’s non-approval and RajMES’ communication, FMGs undergoing internships in RajMES-operated medical colleges have not received any stipend to date. The RajMES letter serves as an official administrative clarification to college principals about the status of stipend payments, and it confirms that financial approval from the State’s Finance Department is currently lacking.

Response from FMG representatives

FMG representatives have publicly highlighted this as a contentious issue. An All FMGs Association statement shared on social media expressed frustration that, while FMGs are pursuing stipend parity with Indian medical graduates through the NMC and the courts, RajMES is issuing letters and notices refusing to grant stipends. The association’s statement framed the situation as inconsistent with adjudications and regulatory directions they contend support equal pay.

Relevant legal steps and precedent

Plea filed in the Supreme Court

A petition was filed before the Supreme Court of India seeking directions to Rajasthan government authorities to provide stipends to FMGs at a rate equal to that paid to Indian Medical Graduates (IMGs). The petition, filed by advocate Dr. Charu Mathur, asserts that FMG interns in Rajasthan receive no stipend during their internship, whereas IMGs are reportedly paid Rs 21,700 per month at various government medical colleges in the State. The petitioners identified in the plea are serving a one-year compulsory rotating medical internship at Government Medical College, Dholpur (GMC Dholpur) and seek monthly stipend parity for the full internship period.

Earlier Supreme Court precedent

The petitioners and their representatives reference an earlier Supreme Court decision in Zabihullah & Ors. v/s Aligarh Muslim University & Ors., in which the top court bench held that stipend is the right of the student and cannot be denied. In that matter the Apex Court directed the respondent college to release the entire amount of stipend to the petitioners. Petitioners and their counsel rely on this precedent to support their claim for stipend payments.

Implications, administrative context and likely next steps

Administrative constraints and the finance perspective

The RajMES letter makes clear that the bottleneck is administrative-financial: the Finance (Rules) Department has not consented to stipend payments for the FMGs in RajMES-operated colleges and has maintained that position despite submissions from the administrative department. The Finance Department’s reference to the NMC circular of 04.03.2022 and the provisional cap of stipends up to 7.5 percent of permitted seats indicates that any change in stipend policy will likely require explicit financial sanction from the State’s Finance Department or a directive arising from higher judicial or regulatory intervention.

Options available to interns and stakeholders

Based on the facts set out in RajMES’ communication and the pending legal petition, the primary avenues to resolve the issue are administrative reconsideration by the Finance Department or judicial relief through the courts. The petition before the Supreme Court seeks judicial intervention to direct the State authorities to provide stipends at par with IMGs. Meanwhile, FMG representatives continue to press the matter through public statements and legal channels.

Reporting and follow-up

Where this report came from

medichelpline had earlier reported on the petition seeking stipend parity for FMGs in Rajasthan and on the comparative stipends reported for Indian medical graduates. This updated account reflects the RajMES clarification dated 01.11.2025 and the Finance (Rules) Department communication dated 10.09.2025 as the administrative basis for the present status of stipend payments to FMG interns in RajMES-run colleges.