For MBBS, Fees Now Payable for Just 4.5 Years—Not 5.5—NMC Issues Strict Warning to Medical Colleges..
NMC MBBS Fee Guidelines: There is good news for students pursuing medical education in the country. The National Medical Commission (NMC) has taken a strict stance against medical colleges that were charging MBBS students fees for a duration exceeding the prescribed period. The Commission has explicitly stated that students may only be charged fees for the actual duration during which they receive instruction.
Colleges Can Charge Fees for Only 4.5 Years
According to the NMC, the academic duration of the MBBS course is four and a half years—that is, 54 months. This is followed by a one-year internship; while the internship is an integral part of the curriculum, no separate fees may be charged for it. Several colleges were charging fees for a duration of 5 or 5.5 years—a practice the Commission has deemed to violate the regulations. The National Medical Commission has clarified that it is improper to charge students fees for periods during which they are not receiving any academic instruction.
Charging Fees Under the Guise of an Internship is Unlawful
The Commission also discovered that some institutions were charging students fees even during their internships. The NMC has declared this practice to be entirely unacceptable. In addition to charging fees during the internship period, many institutions were failing to provide students with the stipulated stipend—a clear violation of the regulations. The Commission has unequivocally stated that no fees may be charged during the internship phase, and it is mandatory to provide students with the prescribed stipend.
NMC Cites Supreme Court Verdict
In its directive, the NMC also referenced a significant judgment delivered by the Supreme Court. In the case of *Abhishek Yadav vs. Union of India*, the Court had ruled that the fee structure must be transparent and reasonable. The Court further clarified that students should be charged only those fees that are commensurate with the actual education and facilities being provided to them.
Strict Action Against Violators
The National Medical Commission has issued a warning that strict legal action will be initiated against any medical college that fails to adhere to these regulations. The Commission's objective is to prevent the financial exploitation of medical students and to ensure that they benefit from a fair and transparent educational system.
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