Archive · 20 Aug 2026
AP Junior Doctors Strike As Minister Rejects 15% Stipend Hike
Junior doctors in the state are on strike because they want higher stipends.
They asked for a 15% increase.
The health minister said the government does not have enough money for that increase right now.
The government offered interns a 5% increase this year and 3% increases later.
It also offered postgraduate and super-specialty students a 3% yearly increase.
The doctors are also worried about rules for hiring people with MSc and PhD qualifications.
They oppose a possible increase in medical professors’ retirement age to 65.
The government has asked them to keep healthcare services running and has offered more talks.
Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav said the state cannot afford the junior doctors’ requested 15% stipend increase.
Junior doctors are continuing their strike and skipping emergency healthcare services in the state.
The government proposed a 5% stipend hike for interns this year, followed by 3% annually.
It also proposed 3% annual increases for postgraduate and super-specialty students.
The Junior Doctors Association sought meetings with senior leaders and raised concerns over recruitment rules and professors’ retirement age.
- Who
- Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav, the Junior Doctors Association, and junior doctors.
- What
- Junior doctors are striking over stipend increases and other concerns, while the government has rejected a 15% hike and offered smaller increases.
- When
- The doctors’ association met the minister on Thursday; the strike was continuing at the time of the report.
- Where
- At the assembly premises and across the state’s government healthcare services.
- Why
- The doctors are seeking a 15% stipend increase and action on recruitment rules and the proposed retirement-age change; the government cited tight finances for rejecting the demand.
Government position
Junior doctors’ position
Stipend increase
Government position
The government said a 15% increase is not possible because of the state’s tight financial condition and offered smaller annual increases.
Junior doctors’ position
The Junior Doctors Association is seeking a 15% stipend hike and continued its strike after the government proposed a 3% annual increase.
Healthcare services during the strike
Government position
The health minister said junior doctors’ services are crucial in government hospitals and urged them to avoid disrupting patient care.
Junior doctors’ position
Junior doctors are continuing the strike and skipping emergency healthcare services in the state.
Recruitment and retirement-age proposals
Government position
The minister said MSc and PhD-qualified candidates could be appointed to non-clinical posts if vacancies in distant medical colleges are difficult to fill, and said the retirement-age issue would be decided after consultation.
Junior doctors’ position
JUDA demanded strict adherence to National Medical Commission norms for recruitment and opposed the proposed increase in professors’ retirement age to 65 years.
- Requested stipend increase
- 15% for junior doctors
- Government’s intern proposal
- 5% this year and 3% in subsequent years
- Postgraduate and super-specialty proposal
- 3% stipend increase every year
- Current action
- Junior doctors are continuing their strike and skipping emergency healthcare services
- Government’s stated reason
- The state’s tight financial condition
- Other disputed issue
- A proposed increase in medical professors’ retirement age to 65 years
- Negotiation status
- The government said it was ready to hold talks again; JUDA sought a meeting with the chief minister, deputy chief minister, and health minister