Ministry of Science & Technology
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: MASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH STUDENTS
Posted On:
04 FEB 2026 4:50PM by PIB Delhi
The Master of Public Health (MPH) programme at Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology (SCTIMST), Thiruvananthapuram is treated as an academic public health programme and not a residency-based clinical postgraduate course. MPH students do not provide any clinical services. Clear policy distinction exists between residency-based clinical postgraduate courses and academic postgraduate programmes. There are no specific Government Orders or Guidelines mandating stipend for MPH programmes.
The students admitted to the MPH at SCTIMST, Thiruvananthapuram, are fully aware that the course is a non-stipendiary academic program and, as such, there is no issue regarding non-payment of stipends. However, to address the difficulties of needy students, the Institute facilitate the eligible students to avail financial assistance under existing Government scholarship schemes such as E-Grantz and other applicable non-professional course scholarships.
The National Medical Commission (NMC) Post-Graduate Medical Education Regulations (PGMER), 2023, mandate stipends only to clinical specialties. Currently, there is no such proposal to include MPH students under the stipend scheme applicable to clinical postgraduate courses in medical institutions.
In general, MPH programmes across institutions such as All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Central Universities, State Medical Colleges and other Institutes of National Importance are treated as non-stipendiary academic programmes. However, limited and selective support in the form of scholarships and tuition fee waiver is provided in certain institutions like National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE), National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (NIMHANS), Public Health Foundation of India (IIPHs) for students enrolling in MPH course.
This Information was submitted by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh in Loksabha on 4th February 2026.
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NKR/JP
(Release ID: 2223189)
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