Karnataka private medical colleges decide no MBBS fee hike this year

Bengaluru: In a major relief for MBBS aspirants, private medical colleges in Karnataka have decided not to increase MBBS course fees for this academic year.

The Karnataka Private Medical and Dental Colleges’ Association has reportedly decided against seeking a fee hike this year, due to the rising inflation and the stress on students after the alleged NEET paper leak controversy.

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Confirming the development, a representative of the association told Deccan Herald, "Considering the problems people are facing because of inflation, and the pressure that students have been under following the leak of the NEET paper, we have decided not to seek a hike in the fees."

Despite pressure from the association, the government refused to allow the colleges to hike the fees for the 2025-26 academic year. The association had sought permission to increase the fees by 10%, but outgoing Minister for Medical Education Dr Sharan Prakash Patil had dissuaded them from doing so. The fees had been hiked by 10% in 2024-25, adds Deccan Herald.

The government had not increased the fees for medical courses from 2021-22. However, in 2018-19, the government had allowed private medical and dental college managements to increase fees by 26% and further allowed a 15% increase each year in 2019-20 and 2020-21.

However, this year too, the government refused to allow a fee hike, following which the medical colleges decided to continue with the existing fee structure.

The decision is expected to benefit thousands of NEET-qualified students, especially at a time when the demand for medical seats in Karnataka remains high. The state currently has the highest number of medical seats in the country.

The government medical colleges in the state charge approximately Rs 64,350 per year under the Government quota in 2026. In Private medical colleges, the Government (G) quota fees are around Rs 1.53 lakh per year. Management and Other quota (Q) fees range between Rs 27 lakh – Rs 45 lakh per year depending on the college.

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