J&K Students Association urges CM Omar Abdullah to resolve stipend issue of B.Sc. Nursing Interns

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Wednesday has urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakina Itoo, to address the long-pending issue of stipends for B.Sc. Nursing interns in the Union Territory.In a statement, National Media Coordinator of Association, Mir Zubair, said that nursing students are extremely anxious and disheartened as their internship phase has already commenced without any financial support.

He pointed out that in several other states, B.Sc. Nursing interns are paid a monthly stipend of approximately ₹13,500, nearly 50% of what MBBS interns receive. “B.Sc. Nursing students in other states of India are given around ₹13,500 per month during their internship, which is half of what MBBS interns are entitled to. Unfortunately, students in Jammu and Kashmir do not get any such support, despite undergoing comparable training and gaining substantial clinical experience,” Zubair said.He highlighted that all Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) and Government Nursing Colleges (GNCs) across the UT have already forwarded student details to the concerned departments.

Despite this, the Finance Department has been delaying the final decision unnecessarily. “Our internship phase is about to begin, and students are anxious. We are only demanding basic financial support, just like MBBS and FMGE interns receive,” the statement added.Citing Indian Nursing Council (INC) guidelines, Tawseef Ayoub, Vice President of Association’s Nursing Wing, stressed that B.Sc. Nursing students across government colleges in Jammu and Kashmir have been persistently advocating for the stipend. While MBBS students and General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM Diploma) students in the UT already receive stipends during their internships, B.Sc. Nursing interns remain excluded.

“This disparity has placed an unfair financial burden on us, especially as we are already struggling with academic and personal expenses,” the students expressed.He further noted that Government Nursing Colleges in Anantnag, Baramulla, Jammu, Srinagar, Udhampur, Kathua, and Doda have already submitted the necessary student details to the Health and Medical Education Department. A few institutions that had delayed the process were issued reminders by the Director on May 6 to expedite submissions.The Association Urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo to intervene at the highest level and ensure that an official order sanctioning the internship stipend is issued without further delay.

Association emphasized that such a move would not only bring parity with other states and Union Territories but also provide much-needed relief to nursing students, who play a crucial role in strengthening the healthcare system.“Extending this support would be an acknowledgment of their tireless efforts and significant contribution to the health sector. It will also motivate students to pursue their internships with dignity and without financial distress,” the Association added.