Odisha medicos Upset over hike in MBBS, Super-speciality Admission Fee

Confirmation regarding this has come from the advertisement released by the Odisha Joint Entrance Exam (OJEE) office, which has notified the students about the revised admission fee structure. As per the new structure, now the students will have to pay Rs 37,950 for admission to MBBS courses in government medical colleges instead of the previous fee of Rs 29,694.

Fees have been increased for the super-specialty courses as well. Now, the candidates will be liable to pay Rs 67,800 instead of Rs 45,500, adds Odisha TV. There has also been an increase in the hostel fee for the MBBS and BDS candidates as now the students will have to pay Rs 14,000 instead of Rs 10,000.

Clearly, such an increase of admission fees for MBBS by 28% and 49% for the super specialty courses has upset the students amid the ongoing crisis concerning the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Following the tension in Ukraine, thousands of Indian medical students have returned from the war-hit country and this has revealed the situation where thousands of students flee to foreign countries in order to get an MBBS degree. The reason for choosing the institutes in foreign countries over the ones in India is the fact that medical education in India is a very expensive affair. Where on the one hand, the affordable government seats are limited in number, on the other, the seats run by the private management are often out of reach for the students belonging to lower and middle class families.

Recently the National Medical Commission (NMC) has directed that the fees for the 50% seats in the private medical colleges would be at par with the government quota seats. However, this is yet to be implemented.

Also Read: NMC spells out criteria for fixing MBBS, PG medical fees at private medical college and deemed universities, Details

As per the latest media report by Odisha TV, amid all this tension regarding the expenses of medical education in India, now the Odisha Government has increased the admission fees by 28% for the MBBS course and 49% for the super specialty course. The announcement regarding this was made by the Odisha Joint Entrance Exam (OJEE) office.

Such a decision, on the part of the Odisha Government, contradicts the request made by the state CM, who on Sunday sought intervention from the Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the National Medical Commission (NMC) and the concerned authorities- so that the Ukraine returned medicos an continue their studies in India as the crisis is likely to go on until the war situation gets back to normal.

The students are upset with the MBBS admission fee hike and while commenting on the matter, a medical student told Odisha TV, "Such a decision of Odisha government is not acceptable. Several medical students will suffer due to the move."

"The government should once again analyze this decision as there are several aspirants who can't afford to pay such revised amount," lamented another medical aspirant.

Referring to the ongoing crisis due to COVID, the parent of a medical aspirant told the daily, "Amid the Covid crisis, many parents are facing challenges to pay the fees. How can they afford to pay more? This decision will adversely affect the admission in private medical colleges which may reach around a crore. The government needs to give a second thought on the decision."

Objection has come from the Medical Students' Union as well. It has been opined by the Union that due to such a decision by the Government, several meritorious candidates belonging to the poor financial background won't be able to afford the increased fees and pursue MBBS courses.

Speaking to the daily, the General Secretary of Odisha Medical Services Association (OMSA), Dr Biswajit Samal said, "Currently, the price of every essential item is on rise. Amid this, if the government hikes the admission fees, it will snowball several issues. Instead of reducing admission fees to facilitate medical education to more students who would otherwise travel to countries like Ukraine to study, the government is raising the fee which is extremely unfortunate."

Meanwhile, the State Health Minister has justified the action of the Government and said, "The government is recommended for fee hike at regular intervals. I am unaware of the percentage hike of fee in details. Let me examine the issue and I will give a proposal to my government and discuss over the matter to find an amicable solution."