The Supreme Court of India has issued notice in a petition filed by 154 doctors from the State of Kerala seeking parity in stipend payments between doctors serving in Self-Financing Institutions and those working in Government hospitals.

A Bench comprising Hon’ble Mr. Justice Aravind Kumar and Hon’ble Mr. Justice P. B. Varale considered the petition and directed issuance of notice to the respondents concerned.

The petitioners, represented by Ms. Tanvi Dubey, Advocate-on-Record, have contended that doctors in Self-Financing Institutions discharge the same nature of duties and responsibilities as their counterparts in Government medical institutions but are paid significantly lower stipends. It is their case that despite performing identical clinical, academic, and emergency responsibilities, the absence of uniform stipend structures amounts to discriminatory treatment.

The petitioners stated that they are routinely required to work extended shifts ranging from 24 to 48 hours, often under demanding conditions. Also, that the stipend is not an honorarium but a basic financial entitlement in recognition of their professional services and exhaustive work schedules.

The petitioner placed reliance on a circular issued by the Kerala University of Health Sciences, which provides that parity in stipend should be maintained between Government hospitals and Self-Financing medical institutions. The petitioners argue that despite this position, parity has not been implemented in practice.