Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu has assured to make provisions for increasing the stipend of students in the upcoming budget. The situation is not clear yet on how much increase the government will make and which categories of students will benefit from it. Its information will be revealed only in the upcoming budget.
This announcement of the Chief Minister is expected to provide relief especially to the students doing MBBS intern, BDS intern and PG medical courses. During medical education, along with studies, students also have to shoulder the responsibility of training and taking care of patients in hospitals. In such a situation, increase in stipend has been one of their main demands for a long time.
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Talk of giving double stipend to PG doctors
The Chief Minister has also mentioned the improvement in the working conditions of PG doctors. According to him, the duty time of PG doctors has been reduced from 24 hours to 12 hours. Along with this, it has been said that his monthly stipend will be increased from Rs 65 thousand to Rs 1.30 lakh. The Chief Minister has described it as equivalent to AIIMS Delhi.
Reduction in duty hours is also being considered an important step in the medical field. PG doctors have to work continuously for long hours in government hospitals. Many times they do not get enough time even for their regular routine due to patient care, emergency services and training. In such a situation, reducing the duty period may give them an opportunity to create a better balance between studies, research and personal life.
How much stipend is being received in different categories at present?
If we look at the status of stipend recorded for different categories of medical students and doctors in the government medical colleges of Himachal Pradesh in the Economic Survey 2025-26, there is a lot of difference visible.
According to the old rates recorded in the Economic Survey, MBBS interns used to get a stipend of Rs 20,000 and BDS interns got Rs 17,000 per month. At the same time, there was a provision of Rs 41 thousand per month for Junior Resident and General Tutor. There was a provision to give Rs 40 thousand per month to the first year PG MD/MS and DNB students, Rs 45 thousand in the second year and Rs 50 thousand in the third year.
Similarly, the stipend of DM/MCH Super Specialty was fixed at Rs 60 thousand in the first year, Rs 62,500 in the second year and Rs 65 thousand in the third year. Whereas for Senior Resident and Specialist Tutor, there was a provision of Rs 1 lakh per month in all three years. However, these figures are based on old rates recorded in the Economic Survey. The stipend of some categories has also been amended through government notifications issued later.
Stipend was also increased in April 2025
The government notification issued on April 10, 2025 regarding increase in stipend of medical doctors is also important. Under this, the stipend of Senior Resident/Tutor Specialist was increased to Rs 1 lakh per month, while for DM/MCH super specialty doctors, it was increased to Rs 1.30 lakh per month. This is why while understanding the Chief Minister's latest statement regarding increase in stipend from Rs 65 thousand to Rs 1.30 lakh, it is important to keep in mind the difference between different medical categories and the already implemented notifications.
Had also hinted at increasing stipend on October 29
On October 29, 2026, Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu had also talked about making a provision in the upcoming budget for increasing the stipend of medical students. The new rates for students including MBBS interns were not disclosed at that time. Now with the latest assurance from the Chief Minister, the expectations of the medical students have increased further. However, the biggest question is that how much economic relief will the government give to which category in the budget and when will the increased rates be implemented.
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Now the eyes of medical students are fixed on the budget
Stipend for students pursuing medical education in Himachal is not only financial assistance but also a matter related to their hard work and responsibility during training. Students studying in government medical colleges have to provide regular services in hospitals. In such a situation, increase in stipend can provide them financial support. Now it has to be seen what new provision the government makes for PG medical students along with MBBS and BDS interns in the upcoming budget. At present, the Chief Minister's assurance has brought hope of relief for medical students.