Students in Dilemma with no Direction from MCC on NMC fee order for 50 percent Private Medical College Seats

Mumbai: Although there are only a few days left for the date for NEET PG 2022 Counselling, the Postgraduate medical aspirants are in a major dilemma since there has not been any clarification from the authorities regarding the fees for the 50% private medical college seats.

While the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) in its latest circular has indicated the possibility regarding the commencement of the NEET PG 2022 Counselling from September 1, there was no mention regarding the NMC fee memorandum that had specified that the fees at the 50% seats at the private medical colleges and deemed to be universities would be at par with the government medical college fees.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that NMC, the apex medical education regulatory body had clarified recently that the fees of 50 per cent seats in the private medical colleges would be at par with government medical colleges of that particular State/UT.

"After extensive consultations, it has been decided that the fee of the 50 per cent seats in the private medical colleges and deemed universities should be at par with the fee in the government medical colleges of that particular State and UT. The benefit of this fee structure would be first made available to those candidates who have availed government quota seats, but are limited to the extent of 50 per cent of the total sanctioned strength of the respective medical college/deemed university," NMC had mentioned in the notification.

"However, if the government quota seats are less than 50 per cent of total sanctioned seats, the remaining candidates would avail the benefit of a fee equivalent to the government medical college fees, based purely on the merit," it added.

So, if the NMC rule gets implemented for the 50 per cent of private medical college seats, the students getting admission in those 50 percent seats will be liable to pay such a minimal amount on their education.

In the last week of July, NMC issued another memorandum and clarified that the NMC fee order would be implemented for the students admitted through NEET UG 2022 and NEET PG 2022 and at that time, the Apex Medical Commission extended the rule for the Deemed Universities as well.

Consequently, writing to the Deemed Universities, NMC referred to the Office memorandum regarding 'Guidelines for determination of and all other charges in respect of 50% of seats in Private Medical Institutions and deemed to be universities, governed under the NMC Act, 2019' and mentioned that "...fee regulation guidelines are mandatory as per NMC Act, 2019 and would be applicable for students who will be admitted through NEET-UG 2022 & NEET-PG 2022. Accordingly, all the deemed to be universities are requested to comply with the above referred O.M. dated 03.02.2022."

Although the Commission highlighted its new rules regarding the 50% seats at the private institutes, the recent circular issued by MCC did not mention anything about it and left the students puzzled.

Also Read: Private Medical Colleges take NMC to court over order calling for MBBS fee on par with GMCs for 50 percent seats

Speaking about the same to Hindustan Times, parent of a PG medical aspirant asked, "The NMC has highlighted in its recent circular that the rule of 50% subsidised seats in private and deemed colleges will be implemented in the 2022-23 admission session, then why has MCC not clarified the same?"

Meanwhile, upset with the NMC order, several deemed to be universities and self-financing medical colleges in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry have now approached the Madras High Court and filed a plea challenging the concerned fee order.

In Maharashtra, the chief of the private medical colleges and deemed universities last week approached the Union Health Minister, Mansukh Mandaviya. They also organised a meeting for discussing the plan.

While commenting on the matter, dean of a Nashik-based private medical institute said, "Earlier this year, in a meeting with minister Mandaviya, we were assured that this new diktat will not be implemented immediately, especially because none of the institutes was in agreement. We have asked him why, despite his verbal promises, the new rule is being implemented for the 2022-23 academic year itself."

Although the colleges are unhappy with such an order, the parents and students are hopeful that such a move would be proved to be beneficial to thousands of students who might miss their opportunity for acquiring PG medical education because of the high fees charged by private and deemed medical institutes.

Speaking about the same, a PG medical aspirants told HT, "Implementation will only happen once the nodal admissions body gives clear directions to colleges as well as students. Until then, we have no option but to wait."

Also Read: Charge MBBS fee on par with GMCs for 50 percent seats: Govt directs private medical colleges