NCSC issues notice to NMC, DMER over alleged MBBS overcharging

Chennai: Raising concern over alleged fee overcharging from MBBS students from SC/ST communities, the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has issued notices to the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) Chennai, and the National Medical Commission (NMC).

The NCSC has sought detailed information regarding students from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes admitted under the NRI lapsed quota in private self-financing medical colleges for the academic years 2023–24 and 2024–25.

This comes after the Commission received a complaint that these students were charged fees higher than the prescribed tuition fees. The complaint filed by social activist S Karuppiah states that several private medical colleges affiliated with Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University are not following the fee structure recommended by the Fee Fixation Committee (FFC).

Also read- TN Private Medical Colleges Warned Against Charging Internship Fees

He said that the FFC has recommended that the tuition fee should be reduced by at least 30% compared to the fee prescribed for the NRI quota. "However, this recommendation is not being followed in all the private medical colleges. Certain private medical colleges have collected excess fees," he told TNIE. 

He further pointed out that the recommended fee reduction has been made applicable only for students admitted in 2025. Students admitted in 2023 and 2024 have not received this benefit and are still being asked to pay the full fees without any reduction.

"Further, students are being forced to pay additional amounts ranging from Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 2 lakh under the head of ‘other fees’," he added.

Speaking to the daily, NCSC Director Dr S Ravivarman said, "We are seeking details about the number of students from SC/ST communities studying in self-financing colleges in Tamil Nadu for the past two years. Besides, we have sought the fee structure and payment details. If an excess payment has been made, it should be returned immediately. Appropriate action will be taken."

Medical Dialogues had reported that Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian warned private medical colleges not to charge any fee while providing internship to students. He warned that legal action will be taken through the Fee Fixation Committee (FFC) if any college is found violating this rule.

Meanwhile, the National Medical Commission strictly directed all medical colleges to charge fees only for the prescribed academic duration of four and a half years after noting that certain medical colleges under its purview are charging fees for the entire duration of five years or five and a half years from the MBBS students. The Commission warned that any instance of non-compliance with the directive will be viewed seriously, and appropriate action will be taken as per existing statutory and regulatory provisions.

Also read- NMC directs medical colleges to charge MBBS fees only for 4.5 years, warns against non-compliance