Maharashtra raises veterinary internship stipend from Rs 11,000 to Rs 18,000

Maharashtra has increased the monthly internship stipend for final-year veterinary students to Rs 18,000 from Rs 11,000, offering financial relief while encouraging rural veterinary services amid continuing demands for better compensation across institutions.

In Short

• Maharashtra hikes veterinary internship stipend from Rs 11,000 to Rs 18,000 monthly
• State govt to contribute Rs 15,000; ICAR and university cover Rs 3,000
• Decision praised by ministers and expected to aid livestock farmers

Maharashtra has increased the monthly internship stipend for final-year veterinary students from Rs 11,000 to Rs 18,000, following a state cabinet decision to provide financial relief and encourage students to serve in rural and remote veterinary hospitals.

The Directorate General of Information and Public Relations (DGIPR), Maharashtra, announced this through its official X handle. Animal Husbandry and Environment Minister Pankaja Munde said the revised stipend would support students pursuing veterinary education under the Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University.

STATE GOVERNMENT TO CONTRIBUTE

Under the revised arrangement, the state government will contribute Rs 15,000 towards the monthly stipend, while the remaining Rs 3,000 will be funded through the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University.

The increase is expected to provide additional financial support to students during their compulsory internship period, when they gain practical experience in veterinary hospitals and animal healthcare facilities.

MOVE AIMED AT STRENGTHENING RURAL VETERINARY SERVICES

The stipend hike is also intended to encourage more veterinary interns to serve in rural and remote areas, where access to trained animal healthcare professionals remains important for livestock farmers.

According to the state government, the decision is expected to improve the availability of trained manpower in veterinary hospitals and help livestock farmers access better-quality veterinary services.

Munde expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Ajit Pawar for the decision, highlighting its potential benefits for veterinary students and animal healthcare services across Maharashtra

HOW MUCH DO VETERINARY AND MEDICAL INTERNS GET IN OTHER STATES?

Maharashtra's decision comes amid continuing discussions around internship stipends and compensation for students undergoing compulsory practical training. In Uttar Pradesh, medical interns saw their monthly stipend doubled to Rs 25,000 in August 2026, following protests and demands for better compensation.

Meanwhile, veterinary students at the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly, protested over internship stipends, demanding Rs 25,000 per month for their compulsory practical training. Students raised concerns over the compensation offered during their internship and differences in stipends across institutions.

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