Tamil Nadu Probes Private Medical Colleges Overcharging MBBS Students

The Tamil Nadu health department on Thursday ordered a detailed inquiry into private medical colleges in Chennai, Kancheepuram, Chengalpet, and Madurai for allegedly collecting illegal tuition fees for the compulsory MBBS internship period. Health Minister K G Arunraj ordered the probe following complaints from parents and students last month and a preliminary report submitted by a Directorate of Medical Education (DME) committee two days prior.

Under National Medical Commission (NMC) regulations, colleges cannot collect tuition fees for the internship period. The complaints relate to colleges charging fees for the entire 5.5-year MBBS duration instead of the 4.5-year academic programme. In the final year, students undergo a compulsory rotating internship and receive a stipend.

Annual tuition fees for private institutions, excluding deemed universities, are fixed by the fee fixation committee. At present, MBBS tuition in private colleges ranges from ₹4.35 lakh to ₹5.40 lakh for government-quota seats in self-financing colleges and state private universities, and from ₹15 lakh to ₹16.20 lakh for management-quota seats.

A DME-appointed committee, formed to examine the complaints, submitted its preliminary findings two days ago. Officials said the committee found that some colleges had collected at least five years of tuition fees from students. College managements told the committee they had returned 50 percent of the fifth-year fee, either as a lump sum or in 12 instalments along with the monthly stipend. Some colleges also charged ₹100 to ₹500 for every day of delayed fee payment.

A fresh committee of senior doctors posted outside the districts where the colleges are located will now conduct the inquiry to ensure it remains free from local influence. The investigators will examine college records, including fee structures, admission documents, and receipts issued to students. The team is scheduled to submit its report in 10 days.

Officials are also considering action against institutions found to have violated the approved fee structure. The DME currently forwards student complaints to the fee fixation committee, which can recommend action by the NMC. However, the state is also looking at options, including amendments to existing legislation, to empower state universities to disaffiliate colleges that overcharge.