New Delhi, India — February 11, 2026 — The Supreme Court has put an end to years of frustration for Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) who are Indian citizens. In a big decision, the Court ruled that these doctors must get the same internship stipend as Indian Medical Graduates (IMGs). The fight over unequal pay during compulsory internships is finally over.
Justices Aravind Kumar and Prasanna B. Varale delivered the judgment. They stood firm on the idea of equal pay for equal work, telling colleges to settle all pending dues on a tight deadline. No more delays. No more excuses.
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So, what’s changed?
FMGs are Indian students who earned their medical degrees in places like Kazakhstan, the Philippines, Russia, or China. Before they can practice here, they have to complete a one-year compulsory internship—called the Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI)—in Indian hospitals.
Back in July 2025, the Supreme Court had already made junior FMG batches eligible for the same stipend as Indian grads. But older FMGs—those who finished internships from June 2023 to June 2024—were still underpaid or never paid at all. This new order fixes that. Now, every FMG should get paid at the same rate as Indian MBBS interns, no matter where they got their degree.
The Court made it clear: medical colleges and authorities can’t delay or hold back these payments. They also shot down the idea that colleges could drag their feet because they were “waiting for regulatory approval.” Once the Court says pay up, institutions have to follow through.
Why does this matter for medical graduates?
This isn’t just courtroom news—this changes real lives. Here’s what it means:
Equal Treatment: FMGs finally get the same stipend as their classmates from Indian colleges.
Legal Clarity: Colleges can’t use bureaucratic red tape as an excuse. When the Court gives an order, colleges must follow it.
Back Pay & Deadlines: Colleges like RIMS (Jharkhand) and AMU have been told to settle back payments fast. No more stalling.
A Bigger Shift: This sets a precedent. The ruling says you can’t treat interns differently just because they studied abroad. It’s a win for fairness.
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What should interns do now?
If you’re an FMG who finished your internship between mid-2023 and mid-2024 and haven’t been paid, your college should contact you soon. The Supreme Court expects payments to go out quickly.
The message is clear: FMGs and IMGs do the same work, so they deserve the same pay. This Supreme Court decision is a huge step for equality among medical interns. It makes sure every graduate—no matter where they studied—gets fair pay while serving in Indian hospitals.
