Why are junior doctors in Andhra Pradesh protesting? | Explained
A dispute over a stipend revision due since January 2026 has escalated into a phased, statewide strike by nearly 9,000 junior doctors, with government medical colleges across Andhra Pradesh withdrawing emergency services from August 17
Junior doctors in Andhra Pradesh are currently on strike, demanding an overdue stipend revision that was supposed to be implemented on January 1, 2026. The strike began on August 11, 2026, under the leadership of the Andhra Pradesh Junior Doctors’ Association (APJUDA). Initially, it was a time-bound withdrawal of non-emergency services, but it has since escalated due to repeated negotiations with the State government failing to reach an agreement.
The dispute stems from Government Order No. 287, issued in December 2009, which mandates a biennial stipend revision of about 15% for junior doctors, adjusted for inflation. This revision was due in January 2026, but the payment was not made even after seven months, leading to the first formal communication from APJUDA in July, threatening a strike starting August 4.
The government requested a week to negotiate with the Finance Department and the Health Secretary, but the strike has now expanded to include emergency services as well, affecting ICUs, casualty wards, and labor rooms in government medical colleges and teaching hospitals since August 17.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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