In a significant clarification on MBBS fee regulations, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has informed the Kerala High Court that medical colleges cannot charge tuition fees beyond the prescribed 4.5-year academic duration of the MBBS course.
The Commission emphasized that it is the sole statutory authority responsible for determining the duration of the MBBS course, while the Fee Regulatory Committee (FRC) is authorized only to fix the fee structure. According to the NMC, the FRC cannot extend the fee collection period beyond the duration specified by the Commission.
This clarification came during proceedings before the Kerala High Court, where the NMC reiterated that the MBBS programme consists of 4.5 years of academic study followed by one year of compulsory rotating internship. Since the internship is not part of the academic teaching period, colleges cannot levy tuition fees for this phase unless specifically permitted under applicable regulations.
The NMC's stand is expected to provide much-needed clarity to medical colleges, students, and parents regarding MBBS fee collection practices. It also reinforces the Commission's role in ensuring uniformity, transparency, and fairness in medical education across the country.
The matter is likely to have significant implications for fee regulation policies and the financial burden on MBBS students, particularly in private medical colleges.
