Tamil Nadu medical colleges directed to collect MBBS fee only for 4.5 years

The Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) in Tamil Nadu has issued a notification instructing all self-financing medical and dental colleges, as well as State private university medical colleges, to strictly adhere to fee regulations for the MBBS course.

The circular reiterates a public notice from the National Medical Commission (NMC) that requires medical colleges to collect fees only for the prescribed academic duration of 4.5 years. This directive was previously communicated to institutions by the Selection Committee, and the latest notification reinforces compliance.

According to the DMER, all private institutions must follow the proceedings of the Committee on Fixation of Fee in Respect of Self Financing Professional Colleges, dated June 12, 2025. They are prohibited from charging any fees beyond those fixed by the committee. The directorate has emphasized that strict adherence is mandatory.

This action follows reports from February 2025, when students, parents, and activists alleged that some self-financing medical colleges in Tamil Nadu were demanding tuition fees for the fifth year—the internship year—from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students, despite rules and earlier directives forbidding such charges.

The NMC's public notice, which forms the basis of the DMER's directive, aims to prevent unwarranted financial burdens on students. The MBBS course duration is 4.5 years of academic study, followed by a one-year compulsory internship. The fee structure is expected to cover only the academic period.

This move is expected to provide relief to students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, and ensure transparency in fee collection. Institutions that fail to comply may face regulatory action.