In a significant move promoting equality in medical education, the Supreme Court of India has directed medical colleges to pay foreign medical graduates (FMGs) stipends equal to those received by Indian medical graduates during internships. The ruling came while hearing petitions challenging discriminatory payment practices adopted by certain institutions.

The Court observed that Indian citizens who obtain medical degrees abroad cannot be treated differently once they undergo mandatory internship training within India. Paying lower stipends solely based on the place of education was deemed unfair and inconsistent with principles of equal treatment. The judgment emphasized that internships form an essential part of professional medical training and involve comparable responsibilities, workload, and patient care exposure for all interns.

The decision is expected to impact several state-run and private medical colleges that previously paid reduced or no stipends to FMGs. Legal experts believe the ruling strengthens uniformity in medical training policies while addressing long-standing grievances raised by foreign-trained doctors.

Beyond financial relief, the order also signals a broader push toward equitable professional recognition, ensuring that qualification pathways do not lead to unequal workplace treatment within India’s healthcare education system.