The Chalmeda Anand Rao Institute of Medical Sciences (CAIMS), a private medical college in Telangana’s Karimnagar, is facing criticism from students and medical associations after suspending 64 MBBS interns who were protesting over unpaid stipends. The interns, who have been demanding rightful payments for over two months, were suspended for a week starting July 3, allegedly for blocking vehicles during a protest on campus.
While the college claims the action was based on a disciplinary committee’s findings, the students allege it is a retaliatory move aimed at silencing dissent. The suspension order, issued on July 3, stated “The following interns of the institute are suspended from their duties for a period of one week with effect from July 3 to July 10. They have to resume duties on July 11.” However, the students claim the administration has continued to withhold stipends even after the suspension and is now threatening them with stricter duty schedules once they return.
“If protesting is wrong, why doesn’t the college first comply with the Government Order and transfer our stipends?” asked another intern. Attempts by The Hindu to reach S.A. Asaim, principal of CAIMS, for comment went unanswered.
As per a 2023 Government Order, MBBS interns in Telangana, whether in government or private medical colleges are entitled to a monthly stipend of ₹25,906. A revised order issued on June 28, 2025, further increased the stipend to ₹29,792. Yet, students at CAIMS allege they are being paid only ₹2,000 per month, in violation of these mandates.
The issue has now drawn national attention. The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) has written to the Chairman of the National Medical Commission (NMC), urging immediate intervention. “There are 23 private medical colleges in Telangana where interns are deployed in affiliated hospitals. Despite repeated directives, most of these colleges continue to underpay interns. Some are even collecting ₹5,000 per year as a so-called ‘stipend fee’ and then paying only ₹2,000 monthly,” FAIMA stated.
The association has demanded an inquiry into the events at CAIMS on July 1 and called for disciplinary action against those responsible for suspending the interns. It also urged the NMC to ensure that no intern is denied a completion certificate or subjected to academic harassment for participating in peaceful protests.
