Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Ujjain Ayurveda Interns Demand Stipend Parity With MBBS Students
More than 200 Ayurveda students in Ujjain are protesting about their internship pay.
They say Ayurveda interns receive ₹9,383, while medical interns studying MBBS receive ₹21,500.
The students believe both groups do similar work and should receive the same stipend.
They held a yajna during the protest.
Two students also started a 24-hour hunger strike.
Some students had travelled to Bhopal to meet senior officials, but the talks did not resolve the issue.
The protesters point to rules they say call for equal stipends.
They want the government to issue a written order raising their stipend to ₹21,500.
More than 200 students at Ujjain Ayurveda College and Hospital continued protesting for a second day on Tuesday.
They said BAMS interns receive ₹9,383, compared with ₹21,500 for MBBS interns after a recent increase.
Students held a yajna, and Dr Muskan Mandawat and Dr Anjali Rathore began a 24-hour hunger strike.
The students cited NCISM Clauses 15(B) and 15(D), saying they require stipend parity and prohibit discrimination.
They demanded an immediate increase to ₹21,500 and a written government order; talks with officials had made no progress.
- Who
- More than 200 students of Ujjain Ayurveda College and Hospital, including Dr Muskan Mandawat and Dr Anjali Rathore.
- What
- They are protesting for BAMS intern stipends to be raised from ₹9,383 to ₹21,500, matching MBBS interns.
- When
- The protest continued for a second day on Tuesday; two students began a 24-hour hunger strike.
- Where
- Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.
- Why
- The students say they do the same work as MBBS interns and cite NCISM clauses that they believe require stipend parity and prohibit discrimination.
Students’ position
Official response
Stipend parity
Students’ position
Students say BAMS interns perform the same work and duties as MBBS interns and should receive the same ₹21,500 stipend.
Official response
The articles report that talks with officials made no progress and do not describe an official position on the parity demand.
Government action
Students’ position
Protesters want an immediate increase formalized through a written government order, not an announcement.
Official response
No government order or decision addressing the demand is reported.
- Protesters
- More than 200 students
- Current BAMS intern stipend
- ₹9,383
- MBBS intern stipend
- ₹21,500
- Demand
- Raise BAMS intern stipend to ₹21,500 immediately
- Hunger strike
- Dr Muskan Mandawat and Dr Anjali Rathore began a 24-hour hunger strike
- Cited provisions
- Clauses 15(B) and 15(D) of the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine
- Requested formal action
- A written government order