No fees for 5th year of MBBS course, says Medical Commission
Thiruvananthapuram: The National Medical Commission has directed that self-financing medical colleges should not charge fees for the 5th year of the MBBS course. As per the 2024 Graduate Medical Education Regulations, the course duration is four and a half years (54 months), followed by a compulsory one-year internship with a stipend.
The intervention comes after complaints that many colleges across the country are charging fees even in the 5th year and are not paying the prescribed stipend. The Commission has forwarded its directive to the Health Secretary, Registrar of the State Medical Commission and the Director of Medical Education.
However, college managements argue that the Commission’s directive is not applicable in the state. According to Anilkumar Vallil, President of the Kerala Private Medical College Management Association, the fee fixed by the Fee Determination Committee is for 5 years.
Lack of Clarity
Parents have pointed out that the government needs to bring clarity regarding the fee structure. Currently, the Fee Determination Committee fixes the fees each year after examining the income and expenditure of self-financing colleges, and the structure comes into effect once approved by the government.
In the state, the practice is that the fee fixed in the first year remains the same for all five years.
Not Stipend, but Pocket Money
The government has fixed the stipend for internship at ₹27,300. However, many self-financing colleges reportedly pay only ₹7,000, ₹8,000, or ₹8,500, while some offer up to ₹17,000, according to parents’ associations. Managements argue that increasing the stipend is not possible without raising fees, and that internship is part of the course, not employment.
Needs Discussion
It remains to be discussed whether the fee structure needs revision based on the Commission’s directive. For clarity, both students and managements may approach the court. The Fee Determination Committee cannot take policy decisions.
— Justice (Retd.) KK Dineshan, Chairman, Fee Regulatory Committee for Medical Education