More than 600 Foreign Medical Graduate (FMG) interns posted at peripheral government medical colleges and hospitals across Telangana have resumed their statewide protest, saying the government has not issued a written order on stipend parity despite earlier assurances from the Health Minister and senior health officials.
The interns had paused their agitation for 10 days, from October 24 to November 3, after discussions with Health Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha and other health authorities. They resumed the protest on Wednesday after receiving no formal Government Order or written circular confirming action on their demands, according to the FMG representatives quoted by Telangana Today.
The interns are seeking a monthly stipend of Rs 29,792, which they say would bring their payments in line with those received by Indian Medical Graduate interns. They are also demanding payment of eligible stipend arrears accrued from January 2026 and protection against victimisation, punitive measures or arbitrary extensions of their internships because of their participation in the peaceful demonstrations.
The dispute affects interns working in peripheral government medical colleges and hospitals, where FMG graduates undertake clinical responsibilities after completing their medical education abroad. The representatives maintain that their duties are equivalent to those performed by their Indian-trained peers and have objected to what they describe as differential treatment in stipend payments.
The interns said their representatives had held several rounds of discussions with the Health Minister and senior officials. During one of the meetings, they said, the minister sought additional time to consult Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy before taking a decision. However, the representatives said that no concrete written order had followed the discussions.
The absence of a formal order has become the immediate trigger for the renewed protest. The interns said repeated follow-ups had not produced a documented resolution and that they were therefore compelled to restart demonstrations. Their demand for protection from punitive action also reflects concerns about how the continued protest could affect their internship terms and completion timelines.
FMG interns have appealed directly to the Health Minister to intervene and issue a written resolution covering stipend parity, arrears and safeguards against retaliation. The source report did not include a fresh response from the Health Department or details of a new meeting schedule. The next official step remains the issuance of a government circular or order addressing the interns’ demands.
