EXPLORE!

Capping of fees for medical students at deemed medical universities in the state of Tamil Nadu

  1583 Views

Dr KK Aggarwal & Ms Ira Gupta    17 June 2018

A Writ Petition by way of public interest titled as “Jawaharlal Shanmugam versus State of Tamil Nadu & Others, bearing Writ Petition No. 16785/2017” was filed before the Hon’ble High Court of Madras seeking directions on respondents to fix tuition fee structure for medical courses for Undergraduate, Post Graduate, Diploma and Super Speciality courses and Dental courses offered by the deemed universities in the State of Tamil Nadu.

Vide judgment dated 08.06.2018, the Hon’ble High Court of Madras has held that the fees varying between Rs. 25 Lakh and Rs. 35 Lakh per annum is, prima facie, far too high and the Fee Committee constituted by the University Grants Commission (UGC) ought to make an in-depth study and recommend the fees to be charges by the deemed universities. Further, the Hon’ble High Court of Madras has held that the students shall be admitted to the deemed universities subject to payment of Rs. 13 Lakhs, on the condition that after the Fee committee determines the fees, if the fee is found to be higher than Rs. 13 Lakhs per annum, then the concerned students will have to pay the balance amount. And if the fees determined is lower, then the concerned students will be entitled to refund. The relevant paragraphs of the judgment are as follows:

“5. This writ petition pertains to admission to Deemed Medical Colleges in the State of Tamil Nadu. Except for certain facts and figures with regard to numbers, the issues are more or less identical. It is stated that fees charged by the Deemed Universities which ranges between Rs.25 lakhs and Rs.35 lakhs are exorbitant.

6. Mr.V.T.Gopalan, learned Senior Counsel, appearing on behalf of some of the private deemed universities, submits that the fees are quite reasonable, considering the expenditure involved in running medical institutions.  The approximate expenditure on each medical student far exceeds the fees actually paid by them.

7. He submits that while Government institutions can absorb losses, private institutions cannot.  They also need to clear commercial loans, etc. obtained to set up the university.

8. Be that as it may, it appears to us that fees varying between Rs.25 lakhs and Rs.35 lakhs per annum is, prima facie, far too high and the Fee Committee constituted by the University Grants Commission (UGC) ought to make an in-depth study and recommend the fees to be charged by these institutions.  Needless to mention that fees shall be regulated and streamlined taking into account all relevant factors.

9. The UGC undertakes to constitute a Committee forthwith and in any case, within 30.06.2018.  The Fee Committee shall submit its recommendation and/or report within six (6) weeks from date. 

10. We are informed that the Fee Committee has fixed a fee of Rs.11.5 lakhs per annum for students taking admission to the MBBS Course under the Management Quota in private medical colleges which are not deemed universities.  

11. Students shall be admitted to the deemed universities subject to payment of Rs.13 lakhs, on condition that after the Fee Committee determines the fees, if the fee is found to be higher than Rs.13 lakhs per annum, the concerned students will have to pay the balance. Needless to mention that if the fees determined is lower, the concerned students will be entitled to refund.”

 

Dr KK Aggarwal

Padma Shri Awardee

Vice President CMAAO

Group Editor-in-Chief IJCP Publications

President Heart Care Foundation of India

Immediate Past National President IMA

To comment on this article,
create a free account.

Sign Up to instantly get access to 10000+ Articles & 1000+ Cases

Already registered?

Login Now

Most Popular Articles

News and Updates

eMediNexus provides latest updates on medical news, medical case studies from India. In-depth medical case studies and research designed for doctors and healthcare professionals.