Supreme Court Orders Stipend Parity for Foreign Medical Graduates at AMU: Equal Pay for Equal Work
Top Court Rules FMGs Cannot Be Paid Less Than Indian Medical Graduates During Internships
AMU Directed to Release Pending Stipends Within Weeks, Strengthening Equality in Medical Education
By Legal Reporter
New Delhi: February 12, 2026:
In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court of India has directed Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) to pay foreign medical graduates (FMGs) the same internship stipend as Indian medical graduates (IMGs). The judgment, delivered by a bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and Prasanna B Varale, ensures that Indian citizens who studied medicine abroad but completed their internships in India cannot be discriminated against. The Court ordered AMU to release pending stipends within three weeks, marking a significant step toward fairness and parity in medical education.
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Background of the Case
- Who are FMGs? Indian citizens who studied medicine in countries like Russia, China, Kazakhstan, and the Philippines, and later returned to India to complete their Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI).
- The Issue: FMGs at AMU were either paid less or denied stipends altogether, while IMGs received full benefits.
- Petition: A group of FMGs approached the Supreme Court, arguing that they were being unfairly treated despite performing the same duties as IMGs.
Supreme Court’s Observations
The Court emphasized the principle of “equal pay for equal work” and noted:
- FMGs are Indian citizens and cannot be treated differently from IMGs.
- Paying them less or denying stipends amounts to discrimination.
- Senior FMGs who completed internships earlier must also receive parity, not just juniors.
- Colleges cannot escape responsibility by citing administrative or financial constraints.
Legal Significance
This ruling strengthens the interpretation of equality under Article 14 of the Constitution of India. It also sets a precedent for other medical colleges across the country:
- Uniformity: All medical interns, regardless of where they studied, must be treated equally.
- Accountability: Universities and medical colleges are bound to comply with stipend rules.
- Protection: FMGs gain legal protection against arbitrary treatment.
Wider Impact on Medical Education
- Encouragement for FMGs: Many Indian students choose to study medicine abroad due to limited seats in India. This ruling reassures them that their rights will be protected when they return.
- Boost to Healthcare Workforce: By ensuring fair treatment, India can better integrate FMGs into its healthcare system.
- Legal Clarity: The judgment provides a clear directive to institutions, reducing ambiguity in stipend policies.
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Expert Opinions
Legal experts believe this ruling will prevent exploitation of FMGs and strengthen India’s medical education system. Healthcare analysts also note that fair stipends will motivate FMGs to complete their internships diligently, benefiting patients and hospitals alike.
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Conclusion
The Supreme Court’s ruling on stipend parity at AMU is a milestone in medical education law. By ensuring equal treatment of FMGs and IMGs, the Court has reinforced the constitutional principle of equality and fairness. As India continues to rely on FMGs to strengthen its healthcare system, this judgment ensures that their contributions are recognized and rewarded on par with their peers.
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