Hyderabad: Many private medical colleges in Telangana are reportedly charging students much more for the MBBS course than the official fee. The official fee for the five-year program is Rs 51.97 lakh, but some colleges are allegedly demanding Rs 57.75 lakh, which is over Rs 5 lakh more. This practice has been ongoing for two years, ignoring clear regulations.
Medical students have raised complaints against these private colleges for charging extra fees. They have urged the National Medical Commission (NMC), the Telangana Admission and Fee Regulatory Committee (TAFRC), and the government to take swift action. One student reported that his college charges Rs 11,55,000 annually for five years under B-Category MBBS admissions, totaling Rs 57,75,000. This, he said, violates GO MS No 5, issued on 27 January 2022, and the TAFRC-approved fee structure, which sets the total cost at Rs 51,97,500 in five equal payments of Rs 10,39,500. The extra Rs 5,77,500 is like paying an additional six months’ fee, which unfairly strains students and their families.
The student emphasized that these violations make medical education less affordable and transparent. They called for immediate action from authorities, asking them to investigate these fee discrepancies and ensure colleges follow the approved fee rules. Despite previous requests over two years, no action has been taken yet.
In 2022, the TAFRC clarified that the fee for the entire MBBS course, covering four years and nine semesters, was meant to ease the financial load on students by dividing it into five equal payments over the course duration. The committee stated that fees should be collected at the start of each academic year in equal parts and not in advance. Also, students who fail or are detained should not pay fees again for the same academic year. Students now urge the government to stop the excessive charges.
