MBBS fees only for 4.5 years: TN DME reiterates NMC directive to medical colleges
Chennai: The Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DME), Tamil Nadu, has circulated the National Medical Commission's (NMC) recent clarification directing medical colleges and universities not to charge MBBS course fees for 5.5 years.
Sharing the NMC's public notice with medical institutions in the State, the DME informed stakeholders that MBBS fees should be collected only for the prescribed academic duration of 4.5 years, which involves academic teaching and not for the one-year Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI).
The move follows a clarification issued by the NMC after it came to the Commission's notice that certain medical colleges and universities were charging fees for the entire duration of the MBBS programme, including the internship year. According to the Commission, this resulted in students being billed for periods that do not involve academic teaching.
Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the National Medical Commission (NMC) issued a clarification directing all medical colleges, institutions, and universities under its purview to charge MBBS course fees only for the prescribed academic duration of 4.5 years.
In a public notice issued by the NMC, in this regard, the Commission said it had come to its notice that certain medical colleges and universities were charging fees for the entire duration of the MBBS programme, including the internship period, resulting in students being billed for periods that do not involve academic teaching.
Therefore, the NMC pointed out that under the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, read with the Competency Based Medical Education (CBME) Guidelines, 2024, framed under the Graduate Medical Education Regulations (GMER), the MBBS course consists of 4½ years (54 months) of academic study followed by one year of compulsory rotating internship. Therefore, charging fees beyond the academic study period is not in line with the prescribed structure of the programme.
Accordingly, the NMC directed all medical colleges, institutions, and universities to ensure that MBBS fees are charged only for the academic duration of 4.5 years.
The Commission further instructed institutions to strictly comply with the provisions of the NMC Act, 2019, and applicable regulations. It warned that any instance of non-compliance would be viewed seriously and may invite appropriate action under existing statutory and regulatory provisions.
The notice has been circulated to Deans and Principals of all medical colleges, State and Union Territory Departments of Medical Education, Directorates of Medical Education, and State Medical Councils for necessary compliance.
By forwarding the clarification, the Tamil Nadu DME has reiterated that medical colleges in the State must adhere to the NMC's directions regarding the duration for which MBBS fees can be charged.
To view the public notice, click the link below
