The PG stipend lottery: Rs 43,000 in one state, over Rs 1.3 lakh in another

Two first-year residents can do the same night duty, in the same branch, and take home very different stipends. In our 2026 counselling database, the lowest first-year stipend on an All India Quota government PG seat is Rs 43,000 a month (IGMCRI, Puducherry). The typical Delhi government institute pays about Rs 1.32 lakh. Doctors often quote the gap as "Rs 42K in one state, Rs 1.27 lakh in another"; our verified 2026 figures put it at roughly Rs 43,000 to Rs 1.44 lakh.

This matters now for three reasons: Round 2 choice locking closes on 15 Nov, J&K residents have publicly demanded a stipend revision, and on 6 Nov the Health Ministry asked NMC to examine stipend disparity among MBBS interns.

The state-wise PG stipend table, 2026

The table shows the typical first-year stipend at state government colleges with AIQ seats, and the highest-paying government institute in that state.

Source: Career Paathshala counselling database, from MCC Annexure-C 2026 and ZyNerd 2026 (cross-checked). Gross first-year rates for govt AIQ seats only. AIIMS and other INI-CET institutes are not included. Bond terms come from state policy compilations and are indicative: confirm them in the college bond document. Year 2 and 3 rates are usually higher and are not shown.

What we could not verify: a complete official list for every state and UT, private and deemed college stipends, and year 2 and 3 rates. We have left these out rather than guess.

Why the same work pays so differently

There is no single national pay scale for PG residents. Each state government or central institute sets its own rate, often tied to its own pay rules and revised on its own timetable. Central institutes such as ESIC colleges and Delhi's government institutes tend to sit at the top. States such as Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Himachal Pradesh sit near the bottom for state colleges, even though their ESIC colleges pay about twice as much.

The news scan for this period found no new national NMC direction on PG stipends.

Values in Rs/month

Government AIQ seats, year-1 gross. Source: Career Paathshala counselling database from MCC Annexure-C 2026 and ZyNerd 2026.

The three-year money maths

At first-year rates, here is what three years of residency adds up to before tax:

The gap between a typical Delhi and a typical Karnataka state seat is about Rs 27 lakh over three years. Add the bond, and the picture sharpens: the Karnataka seat also carries a 3-year service bond with a Rs 50 lakh penalty.

That does not make the Delhi seat the right choice for everyone. Case load, faculty, thesis support and where you want to practise matter more over a 30-year career. But stipend and bond belong on your checklist, not in the footnotes.

J&K residents' demand

On 4 Nov 2026, the All India Medical Students Association (AIMSA) said J&K PG residents get Rs 64,000 in year 1 and Rs 67,000 later, below several states. Our database shows Rs 64,940 at J&K government medical colleges, which matches. AIMSA sought a revision, asked for show-cause notices to three DNB residents at GMC Handwara to be withdrawn, and warned of UT-wide protests after 12 Nov. Whether protests actually began is unconfirmed as of 14 Nov.

Seat	Monthly (yr 1)	3 years
Delhi govt institute (median)	Rs 1,31,591	about Rs 47.4 lakh
UP state college	Rs 1,10,646	about Rs 39.8 lakh
Karnataka state college	Rs 56,250	about Rs 20.3 lakh (plus 3-year, Rs 50 lakh bond)
Puducherry (IGMCRI)	Rs 43,000	about Rs 15.5 lakh

Before tax; year 2 and 3 raises not included. Source: Career Paathshala database (MCC Annexure-C 2026); bond per Karnataka order of 24 Mar 2026.

The intern stipend question

The Ministry of Health wrote to the NMC Secretary on 6 Nov 2026 asking it to examine nationwide stipend disparity among MBBS interns and send comments. This followed repeated RTI-based appeals. Under the CRMI Regulations 2021, intern stipend rates are left to the institution or state. NMC has not announced any action yet (unconfirmed).

We are not publishing a state-wise intern stipend table today because we could not verify current figures for each state. Intern rates also vary sharply between government, private and deemed colleges.

What residents and doctors say

Doctor-educator Karthik MD describes the PG stipend as a geography lottery: a Delhi central institute pays about Rs 1.27 lakh while some states pay Rs 42-55K for the same work. Ophthalmologist Dr Jay Daxini, who publishes a state-wise stipend list, marks several figures as approximate and not officially verified. That is the right instinct. Check the current MCC Annexure or the college notice before you rely on any number, including ours.

What this means for you

• You are locking Round 2 choices by 15 Nov: look up the stipend and bond for each government college on your list. Two seats with similar closing ranks can differ by Rs 25 lakh or more over three years.
• You are choosing between a DNB seat and a low-paying state seat: the NBEMS minimum DNB stipend is about Rs 43-47K, close to the lowest state rates, and 85-90% of private DNB hospitals have no bond. Compare total value, not the label.
• You are holding a J&K seat: the stipend issue is live. Watch for an official revision order before assuming any change.
• You are an intern in a private or deemed college: the Ministry's letter is a first step, not a rule. Keep your RTI and college records in case NMC issues guidance.
• You plan to repay an education loan: use the stipend in your actual state, not the national average, when you work out your EMI.

Change log: Published 14 Nov 2026