TN Health minister warns of strict action against private medical colleges charging beyond NMC norms

Chennai: Regarding the excess fee collection which led to three private medical colleges in Tamil Nadu coming under the scanner of the government, Health Minister K G Arunraj said that the State will take strict action against any institution found charging MBBS students more than what is permitted under the National Medical Commission (NMC) norms.

On April 7, 2026, the NMC strictly directed all medical colleges to charge fees only for the prescribed academic duration of four and a half years, after observing that certain medical colleges under its purview were charging fees for the entire duration of five years or five and a half years from the MBBS students.

The Commission made it clear 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- 3 TN private medical colleges under probe for charging MBBS fees beyond NMC rules, DME forms panel

Following this, three private medical colleges in Tamil Nadu were found in violation of the NMC norms. They were allegedly collecting tuition fees for five-and-a-half years and charging students beyond the approved fee structure. Taking note of this, the Directorate of Medical Education (DME) constituted a committee to investigate the allegations.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a review meeting with district health officers at the Directorate of Medical Services (DMS) office in Chennai on Friday, the Minister said the Health Department has received complaints against a few private medical colleges allegedly collecting tuition fees for five years from MBBS students.

He clarified that as per NMC regulations, private medical colleges can collect tuition fees only for the 4.5-year MBBS course and cannot charge fees for the one-year compulsory internship period.

"Complaints received in a particular jurisdiction will be inquired by the local team with doctors, and strict action will be taken. The Directorate of Medical Education and Research has already formed a committee to inquire into a few complaints," he said as reported by TNIE.

The committee is headed by the dean of a government medical college that will inspect the three institutions and submit its report within a week.

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