1 week ago
Andhra Pradesh Proposes Annual Stipend Hikes for Junior Doctors
The Andhra Pradesh government wants to change how often junior doctors receive stipend increases.
It proposed giving them a 3% increase every year instead of once every two years.
Interns could receive a 5% increase, while postgraduate and super-specialty students could receive 3% increases from January 1, 2026.
Junior doctors are asking for a larger 15% increase.
The government says that larger increase would cost an extra ₹87.91 crore.
Officials say the state is facing financial difficulties.
The government has asked the doctors to return to work so patients, including emergency patients, are not affected.
It also wants to keep discussing the issue with the doctors.
The Andhra Pradesh government proposed annual 3% stipend hikes for junior doctors from the next academic year.
It proposed a 5% hike for interns and a 3% hike for postgraduate and super-specialty students from January 1, 2026.
Junior doctors are seeking a 15% stipend increase and have been conducting an ongoing strike.
The government said it spends ₹586.08 crore annually on junior-doctor stipends, with a 15% hike costing an additional ₹87.91 crore.
Health Secretary G. Veerapandian urged doctors to resume work, protect healthcare services and continue talks with the government.
- Who
- The Andhra Pradesh government, Health Secretary G. Veerapandian and junior doctors represented by JUDA.
- What
- The government proposed regular annual stipend hikes while junior doctors continued seeking a 15% increase.
- Where
- Andhra Pradesh, with the statement issued in Amaravati.
- When
- The health secretary issued the statement on Wednesday; proposed increases include a 5% hike from January 1, 2026, followed by annual 3% increases from the next academic year.
- Why
- The government cited the state’s weak financial condition and urged doctors to avoid disruptions to healthcare services.
Junior Doctors’ Position
Andhra Pradesh Government’s Position
Size of stipend increase
Junior Doctors’ Position
Junior doctors are seeking a 15% increase in their stipend.
Andhra Pradesh Government’s Position
The government proposed a 5% increase for interns and 3% increases for postgraduate, super-specialty and other junior doctors.
Timing of increases
Junior Doctors’ Position
The doctors’ ongoing strike reflects their demand for a larger increase rather than the government’s proposed schedule.
Andhra Pradesh Government’s Position
The government wants to provide increases annually, beginning with the proposed 2026 changes and continuing automatically from the next academic year.
Impact on healthcare services
Junior Doctors’ Position
The strike has prompted government appeals concerning possible disruption to patient services.
Andhra Pradesh Government’s Position
Officials asked junior doctors to resume work, avoid disruptions including to emergency services, defer their demand temporarily and continue talks.
Key facts
- Government proposal
- A 3% annual stipend hike for junior doctors from the next academic year.
- Intern proposal
- A 5% increase for interns in the current academic year, according to the statement.
- Postgraduate proposal
- A 3% increase for postgraduate and super-specialty students.
- Doctors’ demand
- The Junior Doctors Association is seeking a 15% stipend increase.
- Current intern stipend
- Interns in Andhra Pradesh receive ₹25,906.
- Current annual expenditure
- The government said it spends ₹586.08 crore annually on junior-doctor stipends.
- Estimated cost of 15% hike
- An additional ₹87.91 crore for the state exchequer.
Quotes
G. Veerapandian
Andhra Pradesh health secretary
“From the next academic year, the 3 per cent hike in stipend would be implemented automatically.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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