Fee guidelines for 50% seats in private medical institutions will take effect in coming academic year

NEW DELHI: Official sources stated on Wednesday that the National Medical Commission (NMC) rules saying that prices for 50% seats in private medical schools and deemed universities should be on par with those of government medical institutions in a given state will take effect from the next academic session.

They went on to say that the rules would have to be applied by each state’s fee fixing body for their individual medical institutions.

On February 3, the NMC issued an office memorandum noting that it has been determined that fees for 50% seats in private medical schools and deemed universities shall be equal to those of government medical institutions in a given state or Union Territory.

According to the OM, the advantage of this pricing structure will be offered initially to those applicants who have applied for government quota seats, but only up to 50% of the institute’s total sanctioned strength.

However, if the government quota seats account for fewer than half of the total sanctioned seats, the remaining candidates will be eligible to pay a price comparable to that charged by government medical institutions, based solely on merit, according to a memo released on February 3.

The panel must develop recommendations for the calculation of fees and any other charges for 50% of the seats in private medical institutions and deemed-to-be universities controlled by the terms of this law, according to section 10(1)(i) of the National Medical Commission (NMC) Act, 2019.

The Centre had asked the former Board of Governors, which had taken over from the previous MCI, to write fee-fixation rules for the NMC’s consideration when it was formed.

On November 23, 2019, the BoG-MCI formed an expert committee, which was later joined by the NMC.

The expert group proposed 26 broad draught recommendations for private medical colleges and deemed-to-be universities to use in determining fees for MBBS and post-graduate courses, as well as additional costs.

On May 25, last year, the rules were posted on the NMC website, requesting public opinion.

A total of almost 1,800 answers were received.

The NMC convened another expert panel on October 21, 2021, to review the submissions and provide amended draught recommendations.

The NMC adopted the panel’s recommendations during its meeting on December 29 of last year.

No institution should levy a capitation fee in any shape or way, according to the criteria that will be used to set tuition and other charges in private medical colleges and considered universities.

It must be assured that the concept of “not for profit” education is properly followed.

As a result, all operational expenditures and other expenses for the institutions’ operation and upkeep must be funded by the fees.

According to the principles, excessive expenditures and profit components should not be permitted to be added to the fees.